Our coffee shop is in the bottom of a barn. Not a barn-themed building. An actual barn, more than a century old, on a farm on Sherman Road in Cedarburg, Wisconsin that has been in our family since 1944. The shop is styled after German Rathskellers, the cozy cellar gathering rooms found under city halls all over Germany. And when you walk in, the first cup of coffee is free. Every day.
We think the best way to describe the place is to let visitors do it. Every quote below is a real review from our website, Facebook, or Google, and you can read all of them on our reviews page.
Yes, the coffee is really free
People are sometimes suspicious of this part, so let us be clear: visit the barn and we will pour you a free cup of fresh brewed coffee, seven days a week. We do it because we are confident that once you taste it, you will want to take a jar home. No pressure either way.
“Love this place. Not sure where else you can get a free cup of coffee 7 days a week! The coffee is so smooth and delicious.”
— Amy W.
“Don’t even think twice…make the trip and stop in here! Coffee is Free, just buy some beans to take home. Converted old barn into the most adorable, quaint coffee shop in the middle of farmland.”
— Jessica L.
“Just picked up two quarts. Best coffee ever! Drop by the barn for a free coffee and great conversation.”
— Cynthia B.
“Went for a cup of coffee and Jack gave me a cup for free. So nice!! Very welcoming! I’ll definitely return. Delicious coffee and cozy atmosphere!”
— Charity B.
Carol W. admitted the free cup caught her off guard:
“We were greeted by one of the owners and offered a wonderful cup of coffee. For free! It was kind of a shock to be honest. But we gladly took them up on the offer. It was delicious coffee and we were able to sit in some comfortable chairs before a fireplace and catch up.”
— Carol W.
“If cozy contentment had an address”
The barn cellar has a fireplace, comfortable chairs, books, board games, a TV, and indoor and outdoor seating. There is free wifi. There is no line, no rush, and nobody calling out order numbers. One visitor, Stanley M., wrote a review that described what we are going for better than we ever have:
“If cozy contentment had an address, it would be Der Hoffskeller. We stopped in for coffee and found something far more special—a beautifully simple, soul-warming experience tucked into the basement of a quintessential Wisconsin red barn. The business model alone is refreshing: a free cup of excellent coffee offered in a cosy space that invites you to slow down, linger, and connect. No rush. No pressure. Just warmth.”
— Stanley M.
He is not the only one who noticed the atmosphere.
“The barn is beautiful, the atmosphere is so cozy, and the coffee is PHENOMENAL. There’s games, books, a fireplace, and a TV…come have a FREE cup of coffee, relax, and buy a jar of coffee beans (or grounds).”
— Ali G.
“Der Hoffskeller is a hidden gem! Cute little barn made into a coffee house with games books video games sports on tv and very friendly service! A great place for an excellent cup of coffee and good conversation.”
— Lori S.
“This place is so cute and niche. The best coffee, really nice people and a beautiful setting. Don’t second guess! Cutest coffee shop in the area.”
— Colette M.
“Stopped by the barn. Nicely done, cleaned up and still has the old barn feel. Coffee was excellent, bought a jar of beans.”
— Russell W.
“Great coffee, cool barn! Very unique setting with a great story!”
— David H.
“A pleasant gem and lounge area that is worth the trek to visit, see, grab a coffee, learn the history of the coffee and the location.”
— Jacob B.
“Super cool atmosphere. Free fresh coffee and wifi with coffee to purchase and make at home. Lots of books, games, TV, indoor and outdoor seating. Friendly and helpful staff.”
— K Star
“This place is like a little slice of heaven.”
— Anonymous
The people behind the counter
Der Hoffskeller is run by two brothers, Jack and Max, on the family farm. Visitors seem to remember the conversations as much as the coffee, which is exactly how a Rathskeller is supposed to work.
“Great coffee by great people! When I went to pick it up, I was greeted like I was family.”
— Mark E.
“We stopped there today. We loved it!! Nice to meet Jack and Max!”
— Melissa R.
“My family and I went to the Farm. The family were so welcoming. Excellent coffee.”
— Colleen W.
“Great coffee. Great atmosphere. Great talking to Jack and Max!”
— Mark R.
“The coffee is terrific! Chatted with Max, had a couple of samples—their coffee makes wonderful espresso—and took some home. We will be back!”
— Jim B.
“Best coffee ever! And best conversations happen at Der Hoffskeller Coffee Barn!!!!”
— Sue L.
Betty Jo spent a while with Jack and left with the whole story:
“I was treated by Jack one of the brothers who own the roastery. We talked for quite a while. Over coffee. Yum! I enjoyed learning about the How, Why, What, When, Where, of their adventures of roasting their coffee.”
— Betty Jo
And Janet K. got more than coffee on her visit:
“Brought my husband on Friday we enjoyed cup of your fresh roasted delicious tasting coffee and enjoyed some yummy homemade blueberry coffee cake. Jack and Max amazing hosts.”
— Janet K.
Where it all started: the farmers market table
We have sold coffee at more than 250 farmers markets, which is why we call ourselves Wisconsin’s Farmers Market Coffee. Our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents sold produce at many of the same markets. A lot of our customers met us over a free sample at a market table.
“I tried this yesterday at a farmer’s market. It is delicious!!! And yes, I bought some.”
— Carrie F.
“Delicious! Tried it yesterday and bought a jar for the camper! At the Saukville Farmers market.”
— Debbie V.
“I came across this coffee at a festival in Cedarburg. They were offering a free sample. Being a Wisconsinite, If it’s free, it’s for me. I’m not a huge coffee drinker. No kidding, this was some of the best coffee I’ve had. I immediately bought a quart.”
— Pete C.
“I don’t like coffee much myself, but sampled a cup at a farmers market last Saturday. It was delicious! I bought a jar for my son!”
— Luana S.
“Luv this coffee. Bought at a farmer’s market at Milwaukee VA and they are my go to coffee.”
— Bret S.
Michael K. is our favorite example of how one cup at a market turns into a road trip:
“Excellent coffee from a great local, family owned company. Had a cup at the Port Washington Winter market on Saturday. Liked it so much, we drove to the farm for another cup and bought some grounds for work and home.”
— Michael K.
Can’t make it to Wisconsin? We ship fast
Plenty of our customers have never set foot in the barn. We ship fresh roasted coffee in Mason jars anywhere in the country with free shipping, and we offer a monthly subscription you can cancel anytime. The reviews about shipping speed have become their own category.
“They are fast i ordered it Saturday, it was shipped on Saturday. Delivered on Monday. Unbelievable.”
— Cheryl T.
“Ordered mine on Monday and got it on Thursday. Thanks Der Hoffskeller Coffee and US Postal Service.”
— David R.
“New customer in Janesville WI! Super fast shipping, packaged well and such a fresh roast.”
— Sandi M.
“I got my order delivered today (Tuesday), ordered on Friday. That’s impressively fast!”
— Jeff M.
“Shipped so fast to our FL vacation place, after we learned about der Hoffskeller! Enjoying it every morning, and afternoon coffee break!”
— Dale Z.
Crystal T.’s husband tried a sample at a market, and things escalated:
“Since then he’s told me that I’m officially banned from buying coffee at the grocery store! THIS MORNING I signed up for a monthly coffee delivery with Der Hoffskeller and someone just hand delivered it to my door! Not only a great product (per my husband) but also great customer service!”
— Crystal T.
Once people order, they tend to keep ordering.
“love this coffee so much that I am now on auto delivery!!!! perfect way to start each morning!!!”
— Noreen S.
“Best coffee my husband and I have tried. It has become a must and now we subscribe!”
— Tiffany B.
“It’s amazingly delicious coffee and very fresh! I’m on my second order and will probably be a lifer.”
— Ginny T.
Come sit awhile
Some places you grab coffee. This is a place where you drink it. John S. visited from Massachusetts and said he would be back. Li Q. wished there was a place like this in Chicago. Michael G. is waiting on the corn:
“Great coffee! Can’t wait to till the cornfield grows and we can sit outside with a cup and listen to the wind flowing through the stalks.”
— Michael G.
Here is how to find us:
- The barn: 1040 Sherman Rd, Cedarburg, Wisconsin — free cup for every visitor, seven days a week. Hours and directions here.
- Farmers markets: We are at markets across southeastern Wisconsin every week of the season. See the current schedule.
- Online: Fresh roasted coffee in a Mason jar, whole bean or ground, free shipping nationwide. Order here