Almost every coffee you can buy today is roasted the same way: fast, hot, and by the ton, in big stainless steel machines. We do it differently. We roast our coffee in cast iron, in small batches, the way coffee was roasted for hundreds of years before industrialization.
Our coffee is meant to taste like the coffee of pre-industrialization, the same style of coffee the first Wisconsin settlers would have drank. It is a slower way to make coffee. It is also, according to our customers, a better one. Every quote below is a real customer review, and you can read all of them on our reviews page.
What “old-world roasting” actually means
Before there were factories, coffee was roasted in heavy cast iron pans and ovens over a fire. That is how it was done in the 1600s, when coffee first arrived in Germany and Norway, and that is how many farm families still did it here in Wisconsin generations ago.
We roast in cast iron today too. Cast iron holds a steady, even heat. The roast takes longer, but the beans develop their natural sugars without the scorched exterior that fast industrial roasting leaves behind. That is why our coffee is strong and full-bodied without being bitter.
Customers who visit the barn often watch us roast, and the ones who know coffee tend to notice that they have not seen anything like it.
“Super tasty coffee that is made with a roaster based off a 17th century roasting style. I’ve lived in many coffee havens (Portugal, France, San Francisco, etc) and this is one of the most unique coffee rosters I have found. The coffee is a nice mix of smooth and bold.”
β Bret C.
“This coffee is made the old fashioned way β in a cast iron Dutch oven in small batches! If you like coffee, this is some small batch, hand roasted good morning deliciousness!!”
β David G.
“Coffee roasting the old world way in cast iron, in a barn. Yes in a barn.”
β Betty Jo
“I brought a taste of 17th-century Europe into my kitchen today. This slow, classic roast from Der Hoffskeller brewed at 190Β° makes for the ultimate smooth morning cup. Exceptional quality!”
β CD
Holly N. and her sister happened to visit while a batch was going:
“We visited last week and had a great time sampling and talking with Max while his brother was roasting beans the old world way. It smelled amazing in the barn and we loved the coffee!”
β Holly N.
The German Norwegian blend, explained simply
Our signature roast is a German Norwegian style blend. Germans traditionally drink their coffee darker. Norwegians drink theirs lighter. Instead of picking a side, we roast every batch so it contains a whole spectrum of roast levels, from the darker German end to the lighter Norwegian end, all in one jar.
Here is how it works. All the beans go into the cast iron together, and as the roast goes on we release portions of the batch at different stages. The lighter beans keep more caffeine and bright complexity. The darker beans bring deep flavor and body. Brewed together, you get a cup that is rich and smoky and sweet at the same time. You can read more on our German Norwegian blend page.
Mark E. ground his beans for espresso and described the result exactly the way we hope people will:
“I grind my own beans, and prepared myself an espresso out of my machine. The blend of dark and medium roast produced a delicious combination of smoky and sweet. I’ll be back for more!”
β Mark E.
“I’m kind of a coffee snob and this is fantastic coffee. Rich, flavorful, but smooth and packs a punch! Love the packaging too (very charming jar).”
β Lydia W.
One couple found the blend fit their household perfectly:
“We are enjoying our first order! We (both 50% German and he is 50% Norwegian) both LOVE IT!”
β Cheryl M.
People who lived in Germany say it tastes like the real thing
The reviews that mean the most to us come from people who spent years drinking coffee in Europe and have been searching for that taste ever since they came home.
“I lived in Germany for three years. I’ve been looking for a good German Coffee and Der Hoffskeller is the best. I’ve purchased it several times and will continue to order more as needed. Great Coffee!”
β Brian H.
“I grew up drinking delicious German coffee and honestly haven’t found anything as good here in the states…until now! Excellent coffee!”
β Natasha B.
“Great strong yet low acid coffee, the best I’ve had since being stationed in Germany! Highly recommended!”
β Jason T.
“I just got mine and it brings back awesome memories of Deutschland i love it.”
β Robert H.
One review came in written entirely in German. Frank H. wrote: “Wir haben gerade unseren Zwei-Pfund-Beutel Kaffeebohnen erhalten. Dieser Kaffee ist kΓΆstlich und wir werden mehr kaufen!” In English: “We just received our two-pound bag of coffee beans. This coffee is delicious and we will buy more!”
Old-world roast versus the grocery store can
We understand that most people have been drinking the same store brands for decades. So had many of our customers, until they did a side-by-side test. Tonia A. ran out of our coffee and made a cup of what was left in her cupboard:
“I had some Folgers in the cupboard so I made a cup of that. I really didn’t think I would taste the difference BUT, two sips and I’m scrunching up my nose. There is such a big difference and I can’t exactly put my finger on itβ¦. But the locally roasted is better by a long shot! I honestly didn’t think the difference would be THAT noticeable.”
β Tonia A.
“Got ours. It’s a lot better than the ‘gourmet’ coffee we were drinking.”
β Melvin K.
“I usually drink guatemalan but this is by far a much better coffee.”
β Barry W.
“I’ve been a Medium Roast Kona Peaberry drinker for years, but find this coffee very tasty.”
β Niki G.
Dave R., a dedicated black coffee drinker who favors Ethiopian light roasts, gave us one of the most thoughtful tasting notes we have received:
“I prefer my coffee tasting bold, and this followed very well in my wheel house. It is not bitter. It has a really nice after taste that I enjoy, but it is a little different. It’s not ‘smokey’ or ‘woody’ tasting, it’s not chocolate like. Just good, hardy coffee flavor!”
β Dave R.
Part of the difference is the beans themselves. We roast Colombian Supremo Arabica, the highest grade of Colombian coffee β the largest, most flawless beans hand-selected from the harvest, with no cheap Robusta fillers. Gentle roasting cannot fix bad beans, so we do not start with them.
Why we sell coffee in Mason jars
When you order from us, your coffee does not come in a foil bag. It comes in a glass Mason jar, the same way many Wisconsin settlers stored their own coffee to keep it fresh. Glass keeps air out and flavor in, and when the jar is empty you can reuse it, return it, or put it to work in the kitchen. Customers mention the jars almost as often as the coffee. We wrote more about it on our Mason jar coffee storage page.
“The coffee is packaged in canning jars, which I like.”
β Mark G.
“Best non acid producing coffee. AND so usable or gift able in glass jar.”
β Carol J.
“Luv this coffee. I will bring my jars back to recycle. Making a trip to the farm.”
β Bret S.
“We enjoyed our visit and your signature German Norwegian style blend coffee! I had to purchase several jars for home and Christmas gifts!”
β Laura
“Best deal on quality coffee on the Internet. Includes shipping and a great half gallon mason jar. Tastes great, I’m a new customer that will re order.”
β Jerry O.
It works in every brewer you own
Because the blend covers a full range of roast levels, it holds up no matter how you brew it. Our customers have tried just about everything, and they report back:
- Espresso machine: “Bought some. It is really great. I actually grind it for espresso.” β Renee M. And Jeff M.: “I pulled a double shot in the espresso machine and was completely blown away!”
- French press: “Some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. I make it in my French press and it’s absolutely perfect every time.” β Kave D. Dixie D. adds: “It’s delicious in a French press, steeped for 4 minutes.”
- Moka pot: “It is great in my little mokapot and I’ll be ordering again.” β Megan
- Percolator: “This is great coffee and always fresh! Try it in a percolator.” β Cathy C.
- Drip and Moccamaster: “Delicious! We bought your beans at the Williams Bay farmers market for brewing in our Moccamaster.” β Jim & Kris
- Iced: “Awesome bold coffee flavor while still being smooth. It’s great for hot or iced coffee.” β Justin S.
Jen B. even brewed it over a campfire:
“Brewed mine out in the wilderness this week and it was a DELICIOUS wake me up! Fantastically roasted!!”
β Jen B.
Taste 400 years of coffee history
We roast fresh in cast iron on our family farm in Cedarburg, Wisconsin β a farm that has been in our family since 1944. Our shop is in the bottom of the barn, and every visitor gets a free cup so you can taste the old-world difference before you spend a dime.
- Order online: Fresh roasted German Norwegian blend, whole bean or ground, shipped anywhere in a Mason jar with free shipping. Order here.
- Visit the barn: See the cast iron roasters and have a free cup. Hours and directions.
- Find us at a market: We have sold coffee at more than 250 Wisconsin farmers markets. See this week’s schedule.
Coffee tasted different before factories. Our customers say it tasted better. We agree, and we think you will too.