LightAppleGrapeCane Sugar+2
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Roaster
Colectivo Coffee
Milwaukee, WIcolectivocoffee.com ↗
- Coffees in catalog
- 20
- Also available
- 0
- Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
- 58.4
- Reddit sentiment
- 72/100
Pricing perksFree shipping over $45
OriginsBRCOMXKECRPE
How Cherry’s Index is calculatedavg coverage 33% · limited data
Coverage is below 50%. Most of this roaster’s lots are scored off roaster-level signals (Reddit + YouTube) without per-lot SCA grades, Coffee Review entries, or published buyer reviews. With limited signal, scores are also pulled toward a neutral 50 baseline by the Cherry’s Index methodology, so lots can read flatter than the actual cup quality differences between them. The avg Cherry’s Index reflects general reputation more than per-lot quality.
Roaster signals
Apply to every lot from this roaster.
- Reddit72/100weight 18%
- YouTube55/100weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 20 in-stock lots.
- SCA gradenot on file · weight 25%
- Coffee Reviewnot on file · weight 20%
- Buyer reviewsnot on file · weight 12%
- Cherrybook reader ratingsnot on file · weight 5%
- Transparency31.8/10020/20 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- sprudge20/20
- stale decay15/20
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.
Community reputation · Reddit
Well-regarded· sentiment 72/100
Colectivo Coffee (formerly Alterra) is recognized as a staple of the Midwest coffee scene, often noted as an early introduction to specialty coffee for many enthusiasts. While some third-wave enthusiasts find their traditional and darker roasts too developed or comparable to mainstream roasters, others appreciate them for bridging the gap between traditional and specialty styles. Discussions around the brand have also touched upon corporate shifts, unionization efforts, and packaging changes like the transition to 'best by' dates.
midwest stapletraditional and darker roastshistoric roots as alterragrocery and cafe presence
Threads cited (10)
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Workers at Colectivo Coffee have won their election to unionize with IBEW, the NLRB ruled
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Colectivo beans shipping "best by" instead of "roasted on"??
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Question - Do you feel a difference in caffeine buzz from cafes vs. home brew?
- r/Coffee · ↑ · [Question] How on Earth do I make a decent cup of coffee?
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Colectivo a big disappointment?
- r/Coffee · ↑ · How Colectivo Coffee Backed Union Busters to Stop Employees From Unionizing - Eater Chicag
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Third wave coffee that isn't so.. third wavy?
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Which Sumatra to Buy?
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Sharing the fruits of my labor
- r/Coffee · ↑ · Trouble With Aeropress
Press · Sprudge
- Workers At Colectivo Coffee Ratify First Union Contract2023-06-12·sprudge
The contract was ratified with a vote of over 95%.
- Workers At Colectivo Coffee Vote In Favor Of Unionizing2021-08-27·sprudge
They become the largest cafe union in the United States.
- Colectivo Coffee Finds A Home In Chicago2017-10-03·sprudge
Colectivo Coffee in Chicago, Illinois.
On YouTube
4 videos · 11k combined views
YouTube coverage of Colectivo Coffee extends beyond traditional coffee reviews, examining both the company's distinctive Milwaukee heritage and visual identity as well as significant labor organizing. Outside coverage highlights the iconic, vibrant packaging created by longtime designer Kevin Callahan. Additionally, video features document the historic unionization efforts led by workers across Chicago and Milwaukee who organized to address wage disparities and pandemic safety concerns.
Distinctive vibrant brand designMilwaukee and Chicago footprintHistoric worker unionization drivePandemic safety and wage concerns
From Colectivo Coffee
Flagship cafe
Retail location
Milwaukee, WI
Open in maps →Seed-city fallback applied (Milwaukee, WI); the website didn't expose a specific flagship address. LLM-finder notes: The website mentions having 12 locations in Milwaukee, 4 in Madison, and 6 in Chicago, but does not provide a specific street address for a flagship location on the provided pages.
The catalog
20 in stock · 9 archived
Costa Rica Las Nubes
Expect Candied Strawberry, Lemon Lime Citrus, and Juicy from this natural.
CR · Natural
LightStrawberryLemonLime+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
LightPlumBlack TeaBrown Sugar+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
LightPassion FruitPeachHibiscus
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.31/oz
Endless Summer
Think Caramel, Ripe Cherry, and Syrupy.
LightCaramelCherryOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.06/oz
LightMilk ChocolateCherryHazelnut+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
LightPlumGrapeDark Chocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Dark Sumatra Highlands
Expect Smoky, Earthy, and Full Bodied from this wet-hulled / natural.
Aceh, ID · Wet-Hulled / Natural
DarkSmokyBrown Roast
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
LightCitrusMilk ChocolateBlueberry+2
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
LightCitrusOverall SweetSpice
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Toro
Roaster flags Cherry, Syrupy, and Graham Cracker in the cup.
MediumCherryChocolateOrange
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
LightCherryCrispSpice
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Velo
Roaster flags Full Bodied, Tobacco, and Smoky in the cup.
DarkTobaccoSmokyDark Chocolate+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Blue Heeler
Cupping notes point toward Earthy, Full Bodied, and Spiced.
MediumSpicesFloralSmoky
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
MediumNuttyDried FruitDark Chocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Black and Tan
Cupping notes point toward Smoky, Full Bodied, and Rich.
DarkSmoky
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Decaf Velo
Roaster flags Tobacco, Full Bodied, and Smoky in the cup.
DarkTobaccoSmoky
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Co-Optiva
Cupping notes point toward Caramel, Balanced, and Dark Chocolate.
MediumCaramelDark ChocolateNectarine
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Archived (9)
Colombia El Bombo Pink Bourbon
Raspberry Jam, Raspberry, and Tropical Fruits on a washed build.
CO · Washed
LightRaspberryTropical FruitGrapefruit+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.31/oz
Out of stock
LightOther FruitAlmond
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
Out of stock
LightAppleSpicePeach+3
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
Out of stock
LightWatermelonGrapeLime
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.31/oz
Out of stock
Sprout
Think Milk Chocolate, Citrus, and Blackberry.
LightMilk ChocolateCitrusBlackberry+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Out of stock
Pride
Roaster flags Berries, Milk Chocolate, and Caramelized Sugar in the cup.
LightBerryMilk ChocolateCaramelized+2
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Out of stock
LightGrapefruitLemonBrown Sugar
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
Out of stock
LightGrapeDateBrown Sugar+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.31/oz
Out of stock
Southport (Artist Series)
Roaster flags Caramel, Balanced, and Dark Chocolate in the cup.
MediumCaramelDark Chocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Out of stock
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.