Refuge Coffee Roasters is a Fairhope-based specialty coffee company dedicated to creating welcoming community spaces and providing high-quality, small-batch roasted coffee. By focusing on meticulous roasting techniques, they aim to showcase the distinct flavor profiles of coffee origins rather than the roast itself. The brand operates multiple locations in Alabama and maintains a strong emphasis on the ritual of coffee as a means of connection.
Ownership
Refuge Coffee Roasters is an independent, family-owned business led by owner and head roaster Jim McLean.
Founded
2010
Roasting
Reported to roast in-house.
What it's known for
Refuge Coffee is known for its community-focused atmosphere in Fairhope, Alabama, and its commitment to small-batch roasting that highlights the unique regional characteristics of its coffee.
Sourcing countries
Brazil · Colombia · Africa · Central America · South America
Farm-level sourcing
The brand sources coffee from various regions in Africa, Central America, and South America, often utilizing fair trade certified suppliers. While they emphasize the importance of the farmers and regions behind their beans, they generally market their offerings by country and region rather than providing specific farm or producer names for every coffee. They offer both single-origin selections and house blends.
Notable coffees
— Big Sur (Blend)
— Brazil Mogiana
— Colombia Cauca
In the news
Recent news and media coverage about Refuge Coffee, as documented by outside outlets. We link to the original reporting and do not rewrite or endorse it.
This feature profiles the long-standing Fairhope-based roaster, detailing its two local locations and its international presence with a site in Spain. The piece emphasizes the brand's focus on regional bean characteristics and its role as a community hub.
Refuge Coffee Roasters is highlighted as a key player in Alabama's growing specialty coffee scene. The article notes the brand's continued presence in Fairhope, where it operates two locations.
Research disclosure — this profile was compiled from public online sources on 2026-10-27. 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 the importance of the farmers behind their coffee, I could not verify specific farm or producer names for their current single-origin offerings beyond the regional designations provided on their website.
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