GrapeNougatToffee
ROTY 2012 roaster
69CBI · sparse
$2.30/oz
Roaster · La Jolla, CA
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
17 lots in stock, mostly Colombia, Guatemala and Ecuador.
Roaster of the YearRoast Magazine · 2012
- In stock
- 17
- House Index · limited data
- 63
- Freshness
- Roast cadence not disclosed
OriginsColombiaGuatemalaEcuadorEl SalvadorIndonesiaEthiopia
Roaster at a glance
- Tracked since
- April 202652 lots seen; 17 in stock now
- Origins
- 7 countriesColombia, Guatemala, Ecuador
- Process mix
- Washed 47% · Other 29% · Natural 12% · Honey 12%
- Price position
- 14% above what its profiles predictMedian of 8 in-stock lots against the price model
- Sourcing
- 41% of lots name the producer or farm7 of 17
- Coverage
- 6 reviewer videos · 5 Reddit threadsVideos and articles about the roaster, not by it
- Their channels
- Instagram ↗Facebook ↗X ↗Linked from their own site
- Where to find them
- 11 locations, La Jolla, CA5627 La Jolla Blvd
- Merch
- 21 items in stock
How Cherrybook Index is calculatedavg coverage 23% · limited data
Coverage is below 50%. Available roaster-level evidence comes from Reddit. Per-lot evidence from SCA grades, Coffee Review entries, and public on-shop product ratings is limited across the catalog. With limited signal, scores are also pulled toward a neutral 50 baseline by the Cherrybook Index methodology, so lots can read flatter than the actual cup quality differences between them. The average Cherrybook Index therefore leans more heavily on roaster-level reputation than per-lot quality.
Roaster signals
Apply to every lot from this roaster.
- Reddit84/100weight 18%
- YouTube—weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 17 in-stock lots.
- SCA gradenot on file · weight 25%
- Coffee Reviewnot on file · weight 20%
- On-shop ratingsnot on file · weight 12%
- Cherrybook reader ratingsnot on file · weight 30%
- Transparency51.6/10016/17 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- stale decay12/17
Base components are renormalized over whatever signals are available for each lot. SCA + Coffee Review are capped at 40% combined to keep the cupping story from dominating. Bonuses (accolades, awards, editorial coverage) and freshness decay are applied on top.
The catalog
17 in stock · 23 archived
Miraflores Pink Bourbon
Expect Rainier Cherry, Rose Water, and Raspberry from this honey lot.
Huila, CO · Honey
LightCherryRoseRaspberry+1
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$3.71/oz
Tres Dragones
Expect Sangria, Chocolate Ganache, and Maraschino Cherries from this natural lot.
Valle del Cauca, CO · Natural
WineyDark ChocolateCherry
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$2.71/oz
Hacienda La Papaya: Typica Washed
Washed lot with Crème Brûlée, Mango, and Orange Creamsicle in the cup.
Saraguro, EC · Washed
LightCaramelMangoOrange
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$2.90/oz
Colombia Inga Mystique
Marshmallow, Grape Soda, and Orange Marmalade on a washed lot.
Nariño, CO · Washed
DarkMarshmallowOrange
ROTY 2012 roaster
67CBI · sparse
$2.20/oz
Lima Decaf
Expect Brown Sugar, Chocolate Covered Almonds, and Dried Fig from this washed lot.
Cajamarca, PE · Washed
DarkBrown SugarChocolateAlmond+1
ROTY 2012 roaster
66CBI · sparse
$2.30/oz
Sumatra Tiger
Expect Plum, Pink Peppercorn, and Sugar Cane from this wet-hulled lot.
Sumatra, ID · Wet-Hulled
PlumPepperSugarcane
ROTY 2012 roaster
66CBI · sparse
$2.30/oz
DarkHoneysuckleApricotLime
ROTY 2012 roaster
66CBI · sparse
$2.60/oz
LightBrown SugarTangerineApple
ROTY 2012 roaster
61CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
Sunrise & Sunset
Not much signal yet; the detail page has what we know.
ROTY 2012 roaster
60CBI · sparse
$2.48/oz
Midnight Surf
Washed lot with Cocoa Powder, Baked Apple, and Dried Plum in the cup.
Guatemala, GT · Washed
DarkCocoa PowderApplePlum
ROTY 2012 roaster
60CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
MediumDark ChocolateCinnamon
ROTY 2012 roaster
58CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
DarkHoneyTangerineBlackberry
ROTY 2012 roaster
58CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
DarkSpiceAppleChocolate
ROTY 2012 roaster
58CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
Fifty-Fifty
Roaster flags Dark Chocolate, Caramel, and Dates in the cup.
DarkDark ChocolateCaramelDate
ROTY 2012 roaster
57CBI · sparse
$2.20/oz
Little Italy Blend
Think Graham Cracker, Macadamia, and Cocoa.
DarkNuttyCocoa
ROTY 2012 roaster
57CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
Monkey Bite — Espresso
Cupping notes point toward Brown Sugar, Dried Apricot, and Butterscotch.
DarkBrown SugarApricotButterscotch
ROTY 2012 roaster
57CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
Also available · subscriptions, sample packs, gear
The Home Barista
Not much signal yet; the detail page has what we know.
ROTY 2012 roaster
60CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
The Cupping Table
Taste data is still sparse; open the detail page before judging this lot.
ROTY 2012 roaster
60CBI · sparse
$2.35/oz
Meet In The Middle
Taste data is still sparse; open the detail page before judging this lot.
ROTY 2012 roaster
60CBI · sparse
$2.35/oz
Archived (23)
El Chaferote | Pink Bourbon
Expect Chamomile, Mango, and Spiced Cider from this washed lot.
Huila, CO · Washed
ChamomileMangoApple
ROTY 2012 roaster
82CBI
$3.21/oz
Out of stock
Boru Batak
Expect Root Beer, Dried Plum, and Nutmeg from this wet-hulled lot.
Sumatra, ID · Wet-Hulled
DarkBrown SpiceDried FruitNutmeg+3
ROTY 2012 roaster
78CBI
$2.20/oz
Out of stock
LightMarshmallowGrapeBerry+1
ROTY 2012 roaster
78CBI
$2.60/oz
Out of stock
Guatemala El Socorro Maracaturra
Washed lot with Spiced Apple, Clementine Orange, and S'mores in the cup.
Palencia, GT · Washed
AppleOrangeChocolate+1
SCA 93.0
75CBI
$2.30/oz
Out of stock
LightTropical FruitHibiscusSpice
ROTY 2012 roaster
69CBI · sparse
$3.75/oz
Out of stock
Other FruitCherryCaramel
ROTY 2012 roaster
69CBI · sparse
$2.81/oz
Out of stock
MediumSugar CanePepperGrape
ROTY 2012 roaster
69CBI · sparse
$2.30/oz
Out of stock
Pineapple Process
Roasted Marshmallow, Pineapple Pastry, and Toffee on a washed lot.
Santa Rosa, GT · Washed
MarshmallowPineappleToffee
ROTY 2012 roaster
69CBI · sparse
$2.10/oz
Out of stock
Finca La Carolina
Washed lot with Peach Cobbler, Raspberry, and Honeycomb in the cup.
Pichincha, EC · Washed
PeachRaspberry
ROTY 2012 roaster
69CBI · sparse
$3.21/oz
Out of stock
Vermillion Blaze
Washed lot with Orange Blossom, Yellow Peach, and Vanilla Frosting in the cup.
Huila, CO · Washed
Orange BlossomPeachVanilla
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$3.21/oz
Out of stock
Villa Loyola
Expect Swiss Chocolate, Candied Orange, and Cherry Liquor from this anaerobic natural lot.
Nariño, CO · Anaerobic Natural
Dark ChocolateOrange
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$2.60/oz
Out of stock
Gesha Santa Ana
Expect Passion Fruit Sorbet, White Chocolate, and Lemon Curd from this anaerobic natural lot.
Santa Rosa, GT · Anaerobic Natural
LightPassion FruitWhite ChocolateLemon
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$6.24/oz
Out of stock
MediumSpiceRaisinBrown Sugar
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$2.40/oz
Out of stock
Las Brujas Geisha
Washed lot with Orange Blossom, Muscat White Grape, and Madagascar Vanilla Syrup in the cup.
Boquete, PA · Washed
LightOrange BlossomGrapeVanilla
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$11.51/oz
Out of stock
Trapiche Geisha
Washed lot with Jasmine, White Peach, and Lemon Raspberry Custard in the cup.
Boquete, PA · Washed
LightJasminePeachLemon+1
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$22.33/oz
Out of stock
Los Planes Pacamara
Washed lot with Pear In Syrup, Vanilla Wafer, and Swiss Chocolate in the cup.
Chalatenango, SV · Washed
PearGrainChocolate
ROTY 2012 roaster
68CBI · sparse
$2.50/oz
Out of stock
Karogoto AA
Spiced Hibiscus Tea, Muscovado Sugar, and Black Currant on a washed lot.
Nyeri, KE · Washed
DarkHibiscusBrown SugarBlack Currant
ROTY 2012 roaster
67CBI · sparse
$2.50/oz
Out of stock
Bombe Natural
Expect Strawberry Jam, Orange Cream Soda, and Bergamot Tea from this natural lot.
Sidamo, ET · Natural
DarkStrawberryOrangeBergamot+1
ROTY 2012 roaster
67CBI · sparse
$2.60/oz
Out of stock
Chiapas MWP Decaf
Natural lot with Chocolate Taffy, Dried Fig, and Marzipan in the cup.
Chiapas, MX · Natural
DarkChocolateFigMarzipan
ROTY 2012 roaster
67CBI · sparse
$2.30/oz
Out of stock
Sholi Natural
Natural lot with Marraschino Cherry, Swiss Chocolate, and Tropical Fruit in the cup.
Muhanga, RW · Natural
DarkCherryTropical Fruit
ROTY 2012 roaster
66CBI · sparse
$2.30/oz
Out of stock
Brown SpicePruneNutmeg
ROTY 2012 roaster
63CBI · sparse
$2.00/oz
Out of stock
Medium-LightMarshmallowRaspberry
ROTY 2012 roaster
63CBI · sparse
$2.10/oz
Out of stock
FloralCitrusBrown Spice
ROTY 2012 roaster
63CBI · sparse
$2.10/oz
Out of stock
Community reputation · Reddit
Well-regarded· sentiment 84/100
Five independent Reddit threads give Bird Rock a favorable but nuanced picture. Contributors praised a run of incredible beans, a Gesha, a half-caf blend, and a wonderful brew, while one found its light roasts finicky.
bean qualityGesha and half-cafbrew sensitivity
Threads cited (5)
- r/Coffee · 22↑ · Coffee Scene San Diego
I made a long-winded response to a similar question back in October. It still applies for the most part, but with a few addendums: Bird Rock has won me over again - they've had a string of incredible beans lately that are impressive in their quality. Plus their service has been exemplary, providing thoughtful responses
- r/Coffee · 12↑ · Industry Pricing
I don’t have an answer for your question, but I bought this from Bird Rock. It was soooo good! I’m on their mailing list now for geshas.
- r/Coffee · 7↑ · 20g/340g (1:17) - 2:45~ brew time w/ 45 second bloom. Had a desire to share with you all.
20g/340g (1:17) - 2:45~ brew time w/ 45 second bloom. Had a desire to share with you all. ❤️ and thanks to bird rock coffee and Colombia for the wonderful coffee.
- r/Coffee · 4↑ · Besides Heart Coffee Rosters, are there known light roasters that roast beans to be orient
...ms with other lighter roasts from other roasters. Anyone find other good roasters that make good light roasts that work well for both brew methods? I’ve tried Bird Rock (since they are local relative to where I live), but their light roasts are too finicky. Verve has had some ok ones. Would love some recommendations
- r/Coffee · 3↑ · Recommended Half-Caff Blends?
I've found two solid roasters so far that offer half-caff blends: Bird Rock (Fifity-Fifty blend) and Onyx (Power Nap blend). Does anyone know of any others they'd recommend? For people like myself who have to cut back on caffeine, but don't want to sacrifice flavor and body these have been a lifesaver. Curious to hear.
On YouTube
6 videos · 11k combined views
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters has 4 videos on their channel; 2 videos come from outside reviewers (Lets Get Lexi (Alexis Pence), Tayspresso).
From Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Flagship cafe
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
5627 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA
Open in maps →One of eleven San Diego cafes operated by Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.
For roasters
Cherrybook runs a monthly Roaster Spotlight Series featuring one roaster with an editorial piece and a giveaway. Interested in being featured? See the format or email josh@cherrybookcoffee.com.