Bernie's Beans
A signature blend that is highly regarded by local customers.
Original roaster or listing source US Brand Directory
Barre, Vermont, Vermont · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive
802 Coffee Roasters
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
Visit 802 Coffee Roasters's site 802 Coffee is a Vermont-based specialty roaster that evolved from the historic Capitol Grounds cafe, which was established in Montpelier in 1998. The company transitioned its roasting operations to the 802 Coffee brand in 2017 to better reflect its growth and expanded reach across the state. They focus on small-batch roasting, utilizing a meticulous process where every batch is test-roasted and tasted multiple times to develop profiles that highlight the unique strengths and regional characteristics of the beans. By maintaining close relationships with farmers and importers, the roaster ensures a high level of quality control throughout the custody chain. Today, the company remains a family-led operation that balances traditional roasting expertise with a deep commitment to fostering community and providing fresh, carefully selected coffee to both local and distant customers.
Ownership
802 Coffee is an independent, family-owned business. Originally founded as Capitol Grounds by Bob Watson in 1998, the company rebranded to 802 Coffee in 2017 and is currently led by his daughter, Julia Watson.
Founded
1998
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
802 Coffee is known for its deep roots in the Vermont specialty coffee scene, originating from the historic Capitol Grounds cafe in Montpelier. They are recognized for their commitment to small-batch roasting and fostering a strong local community presence.
Farm-level sourcing
The brand emphasizes working with growers and importers to ensure quality, but they do not publicly list specific farm or producer names on their website. Their offerings include a mix of single-origin coffees and blends, which undergo a rigorous cupping process by their internal team.
Documented coffee offerings
Coffees researched from 802 Coffee Roasters
These are examples recorded during editorial research. They are not a live product feed. The coffee, lot, price, and availability may have changed. We have not necessarily brewed these coffees ourselves.
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe
Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia · Washed
Features bright floral aromatics with a clean, citrus-forward acidity.
Original roaster or listing sourceSumatra Mandheling
Sumatra, Indonesia · Giling Basah (Wet-Hulled)
A heavy-bodied coffee with deep earthy tones and notes of dark chocolate.
Original roaster or listing sourceVermont Breakfast Blend
Multi-origin
A smooth, balanced medium roast designed for daily drinking.
Original roaster or listing sourcePeru Decaf
Peru · Swiss Water Process
A mild and sweet decaffeinated coffee with subtle nutty undertones.
Original roaster or listing sourceExternal customer, cafe, marketplace, and class ratings are not comparable measures of the quality of an individual coffee. We do not convert them into original tasting scores or brand-wide star ratings. Our independent reviews are published separately after a coffee has actually been brewed and evaluated.
Verify original product sources
Retailer information: 802 Coffee Roasters
Documented physical retailers
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's original cafe and roastery location in Montpelier, Vermont, serves and sells their coffee.
Physical
Documented online sources
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website offers a full range of their roasted coffee beans for direct purchase.
Website
I verified that 802 Coffee Roasters sells its products through its own website and its affiliated cafe, Capitol Grounds, in Montpelier; while older listings mention a Barre storefront, recent reports indicate that location has transitioned to other uses, and I could not verify any other third-party retail partners.
These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Oct 29, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
Sources used in this deep dive
- https://802coffee.com/
- https://802coffee.com/collections/coffees
- https://smallcoffeeroasters.com/roasters/802-coffee-roasters-barre-vermont
- https://www.capitolgrounds.com/
- https://802coffee.com/pages/contact-1
- https://joe.coffee/locations/vt/barre/802-coffee-roasters-barre
- https://802coffee.com/pages/ourstory
- https://802coffee.com/pages/ourcoffee
- https://skivermont.com/802-coffee
- https://madeinvermontmarketplace.com/speaker/802coffee
- https://802coffee.com/pages/homepage-intro
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-06. This company overview is not a tasting review. Original tasting reviews are labeled separately when they exist. Ownership, roasting and sourcing details are attributed to documented sources. I could not verify specific coffee-growing countries, flagship coffee products, or formal philanthropy programs as these details are not explicitly documented on the brand's website.