Not ratedCupping notes point toward Milk Chocolate, Ripened Cherry, and Hazelnut.
Huehuetenango, GT
LightMilk ChocolateCherryHazelnut+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Roaster
Colectivo Coffee
Milwaukee, WIcolectivocoffee.com ↗
- Coffees in catalog
- 18
- Also available
- 0
- Avg Cherry's Index (limited data)
- 62.1
- Reddit sentiment
- 70/100
OriginsCOBRIDGTMXPE
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.
- Reddit70/100weight 18%
- YouTube65/100weight 10%
Per-lot signals (averaged)
Vary across lots; averaged over 18 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%
- Transparency29.4/10018/18 lots · weight 5%
Bonuses earned (per lot)
- sprudge18/18
- stale decay15/18
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 70/100
Colectivo is a well-known, established roaster that often serves as an entry point for coffee enthusiasts in the Midwest. While they are frequently mentioned alongside other reputable roasters, they face criticism regarding their transition to 'best by' dating instead of 'roasted on' dates and mixed reviews on their darker roast profiles. Additionally, their reputation has been impacted by discussions surrounding labor practices and unionization efforts. Despite these points, they remain a recognized name in the coffee community and are still considered by some for their heavier roast styles.
Midwestern stapledark roast focusbest by vs roast date concernslabor and unionization discussionsentry-level specialty coffee
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
3 videos · 9k combined views
Outside coverage of Colectivo Coffee focuses on its dual identity as a prominent regional institution and a site of significant labor activism. Reviewers highlight the company's deep roots in Milwaukee and its distinct, long-standing visual brand identity. Simultaneously, coverage emphasizes the recent, high-profile efforts by employees to unionize the workforce. This creates a reputation defined by both its established corporate aesthetic and its evolving internal labor relations.
Milwaukee cultural institutionDistinctive artistic packaging designSignificant labor unionization effortsLong-term employee tenure storiesRegional chain expansion challenges
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
18 in stock · 4 archived
Not rated
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Red Apple, Warm Spice, and Apricot.
Mantiqueira de Minas, BR
LightAppleSpiceApricot+3
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
Not ratedThink Plum, Grape, and Dark Chocolate.
Chiapas, MX
LightPlumGrapeDark Chocolate+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Not ratedTobacco, Full Bodied, and Smoky on a washed build.
Washed
DarkTobaccoSmoky
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Berries, Milk Chocolate, and Caramelized Sugar in the cup.
LightBerryMilk ChocolateCaramelized+3
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Cherry, Crisp, and Baking Spices in the cup.
Cauca, CO
LightCherryBrown Spice
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedCitrus, Syrupy, and Sweet on a water process build.
Water Process
LightCitrusOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Cherry, Syrupy, and Graham Cracker in the cup.
MediumCherryChocolateOrange+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Earthy, Full Bodied, and Spiced.
MediumHerbPepperOverall Sweet
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedThink Citrus, Milk Chocolate, and Blueberry.
LightCitrusChocolateBlueberry+2
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedThink Nutty, Dried Fruit, and Dark Chocolate.
Minas Gerais, BR
MediumHazelnutDried FruitDark Chocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Not ratedThink Milk Chocolate, Citrus, and Blackberry.
LightMilk ChocolateCitrusBlackberry+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedRoaster flags Full Bodied, Tobacco, and Smoky in the cup.
DarkTobaccoSmokyDark Chocolate+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Not ratedThink Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Brown Sugar.
RW
LightGrapefruitLemon LimeBrown Sugar
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
Not ratedThink Vanilla, Bright, and Juicy Peach.
MediumVanillaPeachGinger
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedThink Citrus, Bright, and Milk Chocolate.
LightCitrusChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Caramel, Balanced, and Dark Chocolate.
MediumCaramelizedChocolate
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Not ratedCupping notes point toward Smoky, Full Bodied, and Rich.
DarkSmoky
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.33/oz
Archived (4)
65Raspberry Jam, Raspberry, and Tropical Fruits on a washed build.
CO · Washed
LightRaspberryTropical FruitGrapefruit+1
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.31/oz
Out of stock
Not ratedExpect Smoky, Earthy, and Full Bodied from this wet-hulled.
Sumatra, ID · Wet-Hulled
DarkSmoky
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.41/oz
Out of stock
Not ratedThink Tropical Fruit, Ginger, and Almond.
PE
LightOther FruitAlmond
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.50/oz
Out of stock
Not ratedExpect Watermelon, Grape Punch, and Juicy from this natural.
BI · Natural
LightWatermelonGrapeLime
Well-reviewed roaster
$1.31/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.