The 2027 Roaster of the Year Finalists are Here

Daily Coffee News Staff | October 13, 2026

Roast magazine proudly reveals the contenders for its 23rd Annual Roaster of the Year awards! The competition divides itself into two categories: Micro Roasters, which produce under 100,000 pounds of coffee annually, and Macro Roasters, those who roast over that threshold. The winners will be unveiled on Monday, October 19, and will receive feature coverage in the November/December 2026 edition of Roast.

These awards honor companies dedicated to quality coffee production, sustainability, community support, and diversity. A full breakdown of the award criteria and application details for the upcoming 2028 competition can be found here.

Finalists for Micro Roaster of the Year

Here are the finalists in the Micro Roaster category, presented alphabetically. Notably, there are four contenders this year due to a tie in the judging process.

Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters

Founded in Sacramento, California, in 2008, Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters roasts almost 93,665 pounds of coffee each year. Owned by Ali Syed and Asif Alvi, the company runs six locations and supplies coffee to nearly 70 wholesale partners. Chocolate Fish prioritizes educational outreach and sustainability, employing practices such as composting used coffee grounds and filters, repurposing coffee packaging, and collaborating with food-rescue organizations. Since 2014, it has diverted over 200,000 pounds of compostable materials from landfills. Their roasting methods use advanced infrared technology to fine-tune profiles based on individual coffee characteristics and processing methods. Community engagement is a core principle, with activities extending to local organizations, schools, and the broader coffee industry.

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters

Established in 2009, Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters (DOCR) is a Michigan-based enterprise that roasts around 68,000 pounds of coffee annually. Under the leadership of Nathan Hamood, the company houses its roastery and bakery in a 9,000-square-foot facility in Ferndale. DOCR’s strengths lie in its thoughtful sourcing and long-term producer relationships, along with sustainability measures like electric vehicle deliveries. With an emphasis on staff education and community involvement, the company conducts coffee classes, supports industry events, and offers extensive training for its employees and wholesale clients.

Idle Hands Roasting Co.

Launched in Salt Lake City in 2021, Idle Hands Roasting Co. focuses on transparency and measurable impact, producing 85,000 pounds of coffee per year. The founders, Adrian Bradshaw Tezjan, Ricky Dyson, and Peter Jones, emphasize collaborative partnerships with producers, highlighted by their annual Responsibility Report tracking sustainability goals. Their technology-driven approach to roasting includes quality control protocols and significant community engagement efforts in global coffee initiatives.

Indie Coffee Roasters

Founded in 2018 by Diane and Kevin McAndrews, Indie Coffee Roasters is based in Carmel, Indiana, and produces 47,386 pounds of coffee annually from five locations. Their philosophy centers on making specialty coffee approachable. This includes crafting inviting offerings like balanced blends and unique seasonal roasts. They prioritize sustainability by fostering long-term relationships with diverse producers. Their community outreach extends through collaborative projects that strengthen the entire coffee supply chain.

Finalists for Macro Roaster of the Year

Three remarkable finalists compete in the Macro Roaster category, ranked alphabetically based on their submissions.

Corvus Coffee Roasters

Founded in 2010 in Denver, Corvus Coffee Roasters produces 254,200 pounds of coffee each year. Their focus on relationship-driven sourcing and quality precision shines through their partnerships with coffee growers, including a long-standing project that helped enhance processing techniques at a Colombian farm. They employ rigorous quality control measures and extensive training programs for staff and wholesale partners, showcasing their commitment to education.

Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee

Dean’s Beans, founded in 1993 by Dean Cycon, is a Massachusetts-based roaster that produces almost 500,000 pounds of coffee annually. Its mission is rooted in social and environmental benefit through coffee. As a recently transitioned worker-owned cooperative, it directly collaborates with Fair Trade certified cooperatives, supporting various initiatives aimed at sustainability and community empowerment. Dean’s Beans prioritizes transparent business practices and innovation in roasting through renewable energy.

Utopian Coffee

In operation since 2006, Utopian Coffee stands out as a large-scale roaster producing nearly a million pounds of coffee annually. Rooted in regenerative agricultural practices, it forges long-term partnerships with farmers and engages in community efforts to create sustainable impact. Their approach to roasting emphasizes innovative methods and employee development, reinforcing their status as a leader in responsible coffee production.

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