It can be difficult for small roasters to find and build the relationships needed to facilitate direct trade with farmers all over the world. It is even more difficult if the roaster has only been operating for a few years. But at Queen City, brothers Scott and Eric Byington were able to use their past work with various non-profits (including running one themselves) in Africa to ensure the vast majority of their coffee is imported from farmers they know.

While Scott and Eric were galavanting around the globe, their younger brother Luke learned how to roast coffee with Whole Food’s coffee brand, Allegro Coffee Roasters. Finally, a few years ago, the 3 brothers got together to start a new venture that merged their passions at Queen City in Denver.

Queen City has been true to its roots, not only focusing on quality coffee but also on social missions; though they don’t brag about much of their work on their website! A key focus for Queen City has been on women farmers via their Made by HER program. 80% of labor on coffee farms worldwide is done by women, and yet many have no formal roles or titles and see little of the profit. Through this project, Queen City has begun a profit sharing campaign with various growing groups in Africa and buying coffee from women-run coffee cooperatives in central America.

We’re excited to be working with such a new and exciting roaster, and not just because they are also brothers!