Top 1% of Specialty Coffees from the World Coffee Belt

This month, we laid the groundwork for an exciting 2025 and welcomed a new wholesale partner from Chicago.

They will be launching later this year and will be “Proudly Serving Bear Lake Coffee” and bringing our mission to new communities in the Midwest.

We are committed to sourcing coffee beans rated 85+ based on the industry standards established by the Coffee Quality Institute. This ensures that we work only with the top 1% of coffees available globally. Once sourced, we meticulously develop these exceptional beans to unlock their full potential. To validate the quality of the final cup, we partner with Coffee Review, striving for an “exceptional” score of 93+ using its scoring system, which is akin to Wine Enthusiast ’s ratings for wine.

Let’s take a closer look at our process, to show how we bring this exceptional coffee experience to your cup!

Understanding Coffee Quality

Not all coffee is created equal. Certified by the Coffee Quality Institute , Q-Graders evaluate coffee on a 100-point scale, assessing aroma, flavor, acidity, body, and balance. There are only around 8,000 of these experts in the world—just over 600 in the U.S.—and they play a critical role in standardizing coffee quality grading, which in turn sets global market prices.

At Bear Lake Coffee Co., having a Licensed Q-Grader on staff is a rare distinction. Out of the global population of 8.2 billion, only 1 in a million holds this elite certification. And unlike mass-market roasters who use Q-Graders to manage lower-quality, high-volume beans, we dedicate our expertise to sourcing the top 1% of coffee worldwide and crafting blends of unparalleled quality.

Comparing Mass-Market Roasters to Bear Lake Coffee Co.

Mass-market roasters often rely on lower-quality beans roasted at high temperatures to mask imperfections. This results in the distinct burnt flavor that many recognize. Blends like Pike Place Roast prioritize consistency over quality, with minimal traceability to the farms of origin.

By contrast, Bear Lake Coffee Co. exclusively sources the top 1% of beans, ensuring full transparency and fostering strong relationships with farmers. Each roast profile is carefully developed, and we partner with Coffee Review to showcase our quality.

Coffee Review: Our Partners in Exceptional Coffee Grading

Founded in 1997, Coffee Review is an independent organization of licensed Q-Graders that evaluates coffees worldwide using its own unique 100-point scoring system, which parallels how Wine Enthusiast evaluates wine. Coffee Review takes the roasted coffee beans we send it, which are crafted from Q-Score 85+ beans, and assesses our roasted coffee presentations—highlighting what makes each cup extraordinary in its final "Tasting Reports."

Our goal is to deliver coffee that scores 93+ at the best value for our patrons.

Bear Lake Coffee Co. vs. Starbucks: A Direct Comparison

Here’s how the Starbucks® Pike Place® Blend compares to our flagship Midnight Stargazer Espresso , based on Coffee Review Tasting Reports.

Starbucks Pike Place Blend

Coffee Review Tasting Score: 84
Profile: Dark roast with brisk, bitter notes of green bean, carob, and raw almond
Transparency: Minimal; sourced from thousands of farms

Coffee Review Tasting Report Summary Score for the Starbucks Pike Place Blend

Bear Lake Coffee Midnight Stargazer

Coffee Review Tasting Score: 93
Profile: Velvety, crisply sweet with notes of baking chocolate, hazelnut, date, and gardenia
Transparency: Full; sourced from El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia

Coffee Review Tasting Report Summary Score for Bear Lake Coffee Midnight Stargazer

Closing

image of the bean to cup journey

When you choose Bear Lake Coffee, you’re enjoying the ”Top 1% of Specialty Coffees from the World Coffee Belt” -Powered by Purpose. From farmer-first sourcing with farmgate pricing to sustainable roasting in Barronett, WI, every cup reflects Q Grader expertise, a commitment to quality, and a mission to create a positive impact.

I drink about three 8 oz cups of coffee a day—that’s 70 gallons a year! For me, coffee is more than just fuel to start my day; it inspires and energizes me. I love our company, the quality, and the purpose behind every cup. Life’s too short for anything less.

Happy Brewing!