The July 23 deadline for Roast magazine’s prestigious Roaster of the Year Award for 2026 is fast approaching. Now in its 22nd year, the award recognizes excellence across two categories:
- Micro Roaster: roasting less than 100,000 pounds annually
- Macro Roaster: roasting more than 100,000 pounds annually
What’s the process?
Applicants begin by completing a detailed questionnaire that covers:
- Company mission and values
- Sustainability and employee programs
- Involvement in the specialty coffee industry
- Innovations in roasting, marketing, and business practices
From the submissions, three finalists per category are selected to advance. Finalists must then submit three 1‑pound samples of roasted coffee. These are evaluated through a blind cupping process, with scores combined from both written and sensory assessments to determine the winner.
Category winners receive:
- A full‑length feature in Roast magazine’s November/December 2025 issue
- A $500 USD prize
- Continued visibility on the Roast website
Beyond the prize, the award spotlights roasters who are transforming the industry. Previous winners include Wonderstate Coffee and Dear Green Coffee Roasters (Macro and Micro winners, respectively, for 2025).
The award emphasizes quality roasting, sustainability, community impact, employee development, and equity initiatives.
Application deadline: July 23, 2025
Winners will be announced in the November/December 2025 issue of Roast magazine. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a legacy honoring excellence and impact in specialty coffee.
2025 Micro Roaster of the Year Dear Green Coffee Roasters.
What past winners are saying
Over the years, Roaster of the Year honorees have shared what the recognition has meant to them—and how it’s helped fuel their mission, culture, and impact. Here’s what a few of them had to say:
“It is still surreal that we won the Roaster of the Year Award. This has been an award we have dreamed about since we started Mostra.” — Beverly Magtanong, Co-founder, Mostra Coffee, 2020 Micro Roaster of the Year
“This is HUGE, a really big honor. We stand in the company of the best roasters in the world, and we humbly happily accept the honor. To be sure, this belongs to all of the Mudhouse team.” — John Lawrence, Co-founder, Mudhouse Coffee Roasters, 2017 Micro Roaster of the Year
“We believe good business has to support good lives.” — Nick Brehany, Director of Coffee, Wonderstate Coffee, 2025 Macro Roaster of the Year
2025 Macro Roaster of the Year Wonderstate Coffee.
Comments? Questions? News to share? Contact DCN’s editors here. For all the latest coffee industry news, subscribe to the DCN newsletter.
Related Posts
Comment