Questions About Brew Line Coffee. Answered.
Everything you want to know about where our coffee comes from, how it's roasted, which blend is right for you, and how to get it. If your question isn't here, email us at
About the Coffee
Q: Where does Brew Line coffee come from?
A: All four of our blends come from a single origin: the ASOBAGRI cooperative in Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Over 1,000 smallholder farmers grow the beans organically at altitudes between ~3,300–6,200 ft above sea level. Every bag of Brew Line Coffee comes from that cooperative - same origin, different roast.
→ Learn more about our sourcing
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Q: What is ASOBAGRI?
A: ASOBAGRI (Asociación Barillense de Organizaciones para el Desarrollo Agrícola) is a cooperative of over 1,000 smallholder coffee farmers in Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. The cooperative supports sustainable farming, women and youth farmers, and fair trade practices. It's the sole source for all Brew Line Coffee.
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Q: Is Brew Line Coffee certified organic?
A: Yes - certified USDA Organic, JAS Organic (Japanese Agricultural Standard), and EU Organic. All four blends carry all three certifications. The beans are also Fairtrade certified and Bird Friendly certified, which means the growing environment meets standards for shade-grown habitat protection.
Q: What is Fairtrade certification and why does it matter?
A: Fairtrade certification guarantees that farmers receive a minimum price above the commodity market rate - currently $2.20 per pound for organic coffee. It also sets standards for working conditions, prohibits child labor, and requires democratic cooperative organization. We pay above Fairtrade minimums through our direct trade relationship with ASOBAGRI.
Q: What does "specialty coffee" actually mean?
A: Specialty coffee is coffee that scores 80 points or above on a 100-point cupping scale developed by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), evaluated by a licensed Q Grader. The evaluation covers aroma, flavor, acidity, body, balance, and defects. Our microlots from ASOBAGRI score 84–87 points - that's in the exceptional range.
→ Read more
Freshness & Roasting
Q: Where is Brew Line Coffee roasted?
A: All our coffee is roasted in small batches at Tailwind Roasting in Chicago, Illinois. We work in small quantities so each roast can be monitored closely for consistency and quality. Roasting locally also means shorter time between roast and delivery to you.
Q: Is there a roast date on the bag?
A: Yes - every bag of Brew Line Coffee has the roast date printed on it. Not a "best by" date. The roast date. You can see exactly when the coffee was roasted before you open the bag. Peak flavor is typically between 5 and 30 days after roasting.
→ Why the roast date matters
Q: How fresh is the coffee when it arrives?
A: We roast in small batches and ship within days of roasting. For online orders, you typically receive coffee that was roasted within the past week. At farmers markets, the coffee was roasted that same week. The roast date on every bag confirms this.
Q: How long does the coffee stay fresh after I receive it?
A: Whole beans in an airtight container at room temperature stay at peak flavor for 2–4 weeks after the roast date. After that, flavor complexity gradually fades. Ground coffee goes stale much faster - within a few days of grinding. We recommend grinding right before brewing.
→ Storage guide
Q: Should I store coffee in the fridge or freezer?
A: No to the fridge - it introduces moisture and absorbs food odors. Freezing is an option only if you freeze in single-use airtight portions and never refreeze after thawing. For most people who buy fresh and drink regularly, room temperature in an airtight container is the right answer.
→ Full storage guide
The Blends
Q: What's the difference between the four blends?
A: Same origin - different roast level. Michigan & Wacker is our lightest roast: bright citrus, cashew, black tea. Clark & Diversey is medium: milk chocolate, peanut, orange - balanced and approachable. Milwaukee & Damen is medium-dark: hazelnut, malt, raisin - rich and full-bodied, great for espresso. State & Lake is our darkest: dark chocolate, roasted almond, molasses - bold and deep. All four come from the same ASOBAGRI cooperative.
Q: Which blend is best for espresso?
A: Milwaukee & Damen (medium-dark roast) is our best espresso blend. The full body and natural sweetness from hazelnut and malt hold up beautifully under pressure. It also works as the base for lattes and cappuccinos without getting lost behind the milk. State & Lake (dark roast) is a strong second if you want a more traditional, bold espresso.
Q: Which blend is best for pour over or filter coffee?
A: Michigan & Wacker (light roast) was built for pour over. The brightness, cashew smoothness, and black tea finish need a clean brew method to come through - paper filter removes oils and lets the subtle flavors develop. Chemex, V60, or any pour over device will work.
Q: Which blend is best for everyday drip coffee?
A: Clark & Diversey (medium roast). The balance of milk chocolate, peanut, and a hint of orange makes it consistently good morning after morning without being one-note. It also makes excellent cold brew - steep coarse-ground in cold water for 12–18 hours.
Q: Which blend is best for French press?
A: State & Lake (dark roast). Full-immersion brewing brings out the heavy body and deep flavor - the dark chocolate and molasses really come forward without a paper filter cutting the oils. Use coarse grind, 200°F water, 4-minute steep.
Q: I usually drink dark roast but it tastes bitter. Will yours?
A: Probably not - and if it does, it's fixable. Bitterness in dark roast usually comes from stale beans or a grind that's too fine. State & Lake is roasted fresh in small batches and shipped with the roast date on the bag. If you're brewing it and it's bitter: try a coarser grind, slightly cooler water, or a shorter brew time. Fresh beans make a significant difference.
→ Why coffee tastes bitter
Q: Does dark roast have more caffeine than light roast?
A: No - light roast has slightly more caffeine per gram of coffee (by weight). Dark roast has slightly more by volume (by scoop), because darker beans are less dense. The practical difference is small - less than 10%. Roast level affects flavor far more than caffeine content.
→ Full explanation
Brewing
Q: What grind size should I use?
A: It depends on your brew method. Coarse grind: French press, cold brew. Medium-coarse: pour over (Chemex). Medium: drip machines, AeroPress. Medium-fine: V60. Fine: espresso, Moka pot. If your coffee tastes bitter, go coarser. If it tastes sour or weak, go finer.
Q: What water temperature should I use?
A: Between 195°F and 205°F (90–96°C) for most brew methods. The practical approach: bring water to a boil, then let it sit for 30 seconds before pouring. Temperature-controlled kettle? Set it to 200°F. Water that's too hot over-extracts and tastes bitter. Water that's too cool under-extracts and tastes sour or flat.
Q: Why does my coffee taste bitter?
A: The most common causes: grind too fine (over-extraction), water too hot, stale beans, or dirty equipment. Check in that order. Fresh beans and a slightly coarser grind fix most bitterness problems.
→ Full troubleshooting guide
Q: Can I use Brew Line Coffee for cold brew?
A: Yes - Clark & Diversey (medium roast) works especially well. Use coarse grind, a 1:8 coffee-to-water ratio, and steep for 12–18 hours in the fridge. The milk chocolate and peanut notes get smoother and sweeter when brewed cold. Milwaukee & Damen (medium-dark) also makes a rich cold brew.
Ordering & Shipping
Q: How do I order?
A: Online at brewlinechicagocoffee.com - choose your blend, select one-time purchase or subscription, and check out. We also sell at Chicago farmers markets. Check the current market schedule for locations and dates.
Q: Do you offer free shipping?
A: Yes - free shipping on orders over $75. A single bag is $19.99, so four bags ship free.
Q: How does the subscription work?
A: Choose any blend, select the subscription option at checkout, and you'll receive a fresh bag every month at $16.99 instead of $19.99 - a 15% saving. You can pause, change your blend, or cancel any time from your account. No lock-in, no fees.
Q: Can I cancel my subscription?
A: Any time, no questions asked. Just email us to cancel your subscription. No cancellation fee, no minimum commitment.
Q: Where do you ship?
A: We ship across the United States. All orders ship from Chicago. Roast date is on every bag so you always know how fresh it is when it arrives.