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Tucson, Arizona · Specialty Coffee Brand Deep Dive

Exo Roast Co.

Editorial sacred-geometry artwork for Exo Roast Co.; not a documentary photograph
IndependentRoasts its own coffeeSourcing: Limited public info
TagsExo Roast Co.Arizona coffee roastersMexicoIndependentRoasts in-house
Visit Exo Roast Co.'s site

Exo Roast Co. was founded in 2009 by Chris Byrne and Doug Smith, who began as a wholesale roastery before opening their first cafe in Tucson in 2012. The company roasts small batches on a vintage Probat machine, focusing on highlighting the specific terroir and processing of their beans. They are widely documented for their deep commitment to sourcing Mexican coffees and maintaining direct relationships with growers in the region. Beyond coffee, the brand is recognized for its community-focused approach and the integration of a mezcal bar, El Crisol, into their operations.

Ownership
Exo Roast Co. is an independent, family-owned business founded by Chris Byrne and Doug Smith.
Founded
2013
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Exo is known for its meticulously sourced, small-batch roasted coffees and unique Southwest-inspired signature drinks, such as the mesquite latte and chiltepín cold brew.
Sourcing countries
Mexico
Farm-level sourcing
The brand emphasizes direct trade and relationship-based coffee sourcing, particularly with small producers in Mexico. While they highlight their commitment to these relationships, they do not consistently publish specific farm or farmer names for every offering on their website.
Notable coffees
  • — Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelbesa
  • — Colombia Multicoop Agropecuarias
  • — Guatemala La Morena Huehuetenango
  • — Devil's Claw Blend
  • — Valle De Cuaca Sugarcane Decaf
Documented coffee offerings

Coffees researched from Exo Roast Co.

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 Guji Dogo Sodu

Guji, Ethiopia · Washed

This coffee features floral jasmine, fruity notes, and a green tea finish with a complex structure.

Original roaster or listing source

Guatamala La Morena Cubulco

Cubulco, Baja Verapaz, Guatemala · Washed

This coffee combines flavors of berry and dark chocolate with bright tones and caramel sweetness.

Original roaster or listing source

Valle De Cuaca Sugarcane Decaf

Valle de Cauca, Colombia · Sugarcane Decaf

A decaffeinated offering characterized by its clean and balanced profile.

Original roaster or listing source

External 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: Exo Roast Co.

Documented physical retailers
Exo Roast Co. (6th Ave. Location)
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's original cafe and roastery in Tucson sells bags of coffee beans.
Physical
Exo Roast Co. (Simpson St. Location)
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's second cafe location in Tucson sells bags of coffee beans.
Physical
Food Conspiracy Co-op
Historical source note (not live inventory): A local Tucson co-op that has carried the brand's roasted coffee for over a decade.
Physical
Documented online sources
Exo Roast Co.'s online shop
Historical source note (not live inventory): The brand's official website offers a variety of single-origin coffee beans, subscriptions, and merchandise.
Website

I verified the brand's two physical cafe locations and their long-standing wholesale partnership with Food Conspiracy Co-op through local reporting and the brand's website; no other specific third-party retail partners were confirmed.

These references come from public store locators, retailer listings and brand materials. Last checked Nov 14, 2026. They are research links, not proof of current stock or a buying recommendation. Verify availability, price and location directly with the source.
In the news

Recent news and media coverage about Exo Roast Co., as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.

2025-08-08 · Local First Arizona
Amy Smith of Exo on Coffee, Seeds and Being Inspired by Community

In a profile regarding the evolution of the Tucson-based roastery, co-owner Amy Smith discusses the company's shift in sourcing models due to global economic pressures and rising costs. The article highlights how the brand has navigated increased coffee prices and potential tariffs while maintaining its commitment to hyper-regional food and beverage offerings.

2024-10-15 · Instagram
After 13 years of operating the cafe and roasterie at 6th Ave, we have some news!

Exo Roast Co. announced that as of September 2024, ownership of its 6th Avenue roastery and cafe location has transitioned to Clay Koweek and Mollie Silva. The original owners, Chris, Doug, and Amy, will continue to operate their other location, Bar Crisol, with the two businesses operating as sister cafes.

Sources used in this deep dive
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-17. 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. While the brand emphasizes direct trade relationships in Mexico, I could not verify a comprehensive list of all current sourcing countries or specific farm-level details for their entire rotating menu.

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