[Updated 1/2/26] When I first entered the world of coffee many years ago, I remember being surprised by how many veteran owned coffee roasters existed. Even more surprising was how darn good their coffee often was. Then it became obvious that my surprise was unwarranted. While the responsibilities of protecting our country versus building a coffee business involve very different stakes, both endeavors require a focus, discipline, and commitment well beyond the norm.
As a homage to the brave men and women who’ve served our country, we present to you the following list of the best veteran owned coffees along with brands that support our veterans. We’ve selected 12 brands that we believe embody what veterans stand for. If you’re not in the mood to read the whole thing, check out our top 3 picks below.
Altruistic Coffee 
| TOP CHOICE Blackout Coffee 
| Fire Department Coffee 
|
Best Veteran Coffees + Veteran Supporting Coffees
Use this Blackout Coffee Coupon Code to get 20% off: BQC
Blackout Coffee
Blackout Coffee starts off our list of top veteran and veteran-supporting coffee companies. They are a small-batch roaster serving up ethically sourced, ultra-strong brews.
Blackout Coffee honors veterans through Operation Blackout, donating two cups of coffee to deployed troops for every bag purchased. These gifts can be sent to a random unit that’s currently deployed or a specific unit of your choosing.
When we Blackout Coffee is strong, we don’t mean burnt. While this coffee has a nice smoky flavor as a dark roast, it also teems with a robust taste that has won over our coffee-loving hearts. Their Brewtal Awakening boasts the title of world’s strongest roast, packing a serious caffeine and flavor punch. Although it can be tough to verify whether it’s the strongest roast in the world, we can assure you this brew is anything but weak.
Enjoy 10% off your first order by using this exclusive Altruistic Joe coupon code.
Code: BESTQUALITY
Altruistic Joe Coffee
Continuing this list of veteran owned coffee companies is Altruistic Joe. Our recent review of this coffee outlines just how much we appreciated the flavor of this coffee. So much so that we gave it a 5/5 rating. Founded by veterans Libby and Jamie Jenks, Altruistic Joe Coffee lives up to its namesake by focusing on producing an impeccable brew while serving greater causes. In addition to making a delicious coffee fit for the snobbiest of coffee snobs, the company donates a whopping 20% of their proceeds to charitable organizations such as Global Health & Human Services, Military Veteran & Family Services, Animal Welfare, and Environmental Conservation. The company offers 5 different single origin coffees along with 4 distinct blends of varying roast levels.
Fire Department Coffee
In addition to being run by Fire fighters as their name suggests, Fire Department Coffee (FDC) is also Veteran Owned and certified by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA). The company’s CEO Luke Schneider happens to be both a U.S. Navy veteran and firefighter/paramedic. The Fire Deptartment Coffee Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization supports groups that help firefighters and first responders who are injured on the job, mentally or physically, or who are facing other serious health challenges. On the coffee side, Fire Department Coffee offers perhaps the widest assortment of flavors out of any veteran coffee company in the business. With a deep selection of both flavored and unflavored brews, there’s literally something for every type of coffee lover out there. FDC roasts their coffee in Rockford, Illinois by a team of firefighters, first responders, and coffee connoisseurs.
Black Rifle Coffee Company
Veteran-owned coffee powerhouse Black Rifle Coffee has enjoyed years of popularity. In fact, it’s credited with helping the veteran owned coffee industry go mainstream. Their coffee is super strong and meant for the coffee lover who appreciates a robust brew. They offer a wide variety of coffee flavors each creatively named like the “Silencer Smooth Brew” and the “AK-47 Espresso”. But this coffee didn’t make this list for its product names. It’s just darn good coffee that even coffee connoisseurs of the highest order would appreciate. They have a solid selection of light, medium, and dark roasts that come in a variety of delivery forms from single serve coffee pods, ground coffee, and even instant coffee.
Guardian Coffee
Southeast Texas-based Guardian Coffee, a veteran-owned brand, deserves the attention of any coffee connoisseur with a penchant for robust coffee. The company was founded by Derek Pettus, a Marine Corps veteran with a passion for both quality coffee and meaningful charity work.
Roasted to order, this veteran coffee brand produces a classic brew that’s a joy to drink. A recent review of five different Guardian Coffee brews left us thoroughly impressed. Guardian Coffee Co donates a portion of their proceeds to the Conner T. Lowry Memorial Foundation. Additionally, they help secure college scholarships for kids in Chicago. Check out our full review for more details.
Black Ink Coffee
Founded by former law enforcement officer and Air Force veteran Parker Russel, Black Ink Coffee is another stellar pick.
The company has a solid selection of premium brews including blends, single origins, and of course a decaf option. Perhaps most importantly, they’ve created a program called Operation Caffeination. This program ships fresh coffee beans at no charge to troops stationed overseas.
Expedition Joe Coffee
Expedition Joe is a Veteran owned and Native American owned small batch coffee roaster based out of Georgia. Don Grissett and Byron Friel, the company’s co-founders, set out to produce specialty coffee that’s worthy of being included in the Third Wave Coffee movement. They offer a mix of single origin beans and blends that are available in light, medium, medium dark, and dark roast options. At their core, Expedition Joe Coffee is smooth, full-flavored, and bold. Their Adventure Fuel brew is one of their most popular blends delivering a delightfully bright citrusy yet deeply flavored mix of Ethiopia Sidamo and Papua New Guinea beans. Read our full Expedition Joe coffee review for more information.
Rick’s Roasters
Sean Ricks founded Rick’s Roasters which offers fair trade and ethically-sourced coffee that will please even the most uncompromising coffee lovers. With a selection of 15 single origin specialty coffees, the company offers something for every type of coffee lover. All of their coffee is ethically sourced and fairly traded. The company has also established direct trade relationships with small farms in Honduras and Colombia. Their Four Horsemen Brew is their most popular which is a well-balanced medium-dark roasted brew made from high quality Indonesian and Central American beans.
Aerial Resupply Coffee
Aerial Resupply Coffee is another veteran coffee brand that makes the cut for our list. Founded by Michael Klemmer, an army veteran whose service spans 2 decades, Aerial Resupply Coffee helps support 22 Zero – an organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide, PTSD, and anxiety.
In particular, their Fire Watch brew is worth a try. Aerisal Resupply Coffee meticulously sources 100% Supremo Colombian coffee beans to achieve their wonderfully balanced medium roast. Like many other veteran coffees, this brew delivers a bold taste that is anything but weak. In addition to a robust flavor, it offers a harmonious blend of flavors with notes of fresh stone fruit, subtle cocoa, gentle citrus, and a touch of sweetness.
Apha Coffee
Alpha Coffee, previously branded as Lock N Load Coffee, was cofounded by U.S. Army combat veteran Carl Churchill and military spouse Lori Churchill. With plenty of deployments under their belts, the couple’s passion for serving the country is matched only by their passion for serving others an incredibly high quality cup of Joe.
Alpha Coffee has been around since 2010 and has earned itself a name to be proud of within the specialty coffee industry. While each of their roasts are obviously different, Alpha Coffee as a whole can be best described as rich and full flavored. Alpha Coffee supports veterans by donating a portion of their profits to military charities focused on education, employment and therapy. To date, the company has also donated 20,200+ bags of coffee to fellow troops downrange. One thing we especially appreciate about this coffee is that they come in 1lb bags as opposed to 12 oz bags which is common amongst other brands.
Victory Coffee
No list of veteran owned coffee companies would be complete without a mention of Victory Coffee. Founded by former Navy Seal Cade Courtney, the company delivers organically-grown fair-traded coffee. Courtney recalls how amidst some of the most hazardous conditions in the world, a simple cup of coffee served as a sanctuary for him and his comrades. Like many other brands on this list, Victory Coffee has won over the hearts of thousands of coffee lovers around the world with their award-winning coffee. Their coffee is available in whole bean, ground, and K-Cup compatible pods.
Stars and Stripes Java
Rounding out our list of veteran coffees is Stars & Stripes Java. They are last but certainly not least. Their Reveille Blend is an impressive combination of Central American and Brazil beans. It’s a bold roast with a well-balanced flavor and potent aroma. Stars and Stripes Java roasts their coffee here in the USA. A whopping 50% of all profits go to Semper Fi & America’s Fund which benefit critically ill, wounded, and injured of ALL branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Why Drink Veteran Owned Roasters + Veteran Supporting Brands?
Besides enjoying quality coffee, there are many reasons to buy veteran coffee and veteran owned coffee brands.
For one, we are helping to support the men and women who have literally risked their lives to bring us the freedoms we enjoy as Americans (no matter the political affiliations). And that includes the simple yet precious freedom of being able to enjoy a cup of coffee in a free country. They’ve made sacrifices that would be hard to fathom by the average person.
Unfortunately, nowadays, mentioning the word “veteran” can turn a conversation political. This is not the purpose of our article. We support and appreciate what veterans stand for regardless of what political side a person should happen to fall on. And one such way of showing this is through supporting veteran owned businesses such as those listed in this article.
Veteran Coffee Companies Usually Support Charities
Another major reason to support veteran owned coffee companies is because they commonly donate to charitable causes that focus on the care and well-being of our veterans. Veteran coffee companies are notoriously passionate about supporting fellow veterans through businesses.
Specifically Support Our Veterans Transition Back into Society
Returning from military service to civilian life can be a complex challenge for many. By launching businesses, veterans not only carve their own path but also offer valuable employment opportunities to their fellow veterans.
Many of these companies actively recruit and hire veterans, providing crucial support for those facing hurdles in the job market after their service. Choosing veteran-owned coffee isn’t just about a satisfying cup, it’s about contributing to their economic empowerment and successful reintegration into society.
In fact, for many of these entrepreneurial veterans, establishing coffee companies was simply another means by which to serve. I know this fact doesn’t technically have an effect on how good a given brew is, but being able to say thank you to them in a small yet meaningful way somehow makes my morning coffee experience more fulfilling.
Strongest Veteran Coffee and Military Coffee: Final Thoughts
While I am not a veteran, my circle of friends is full of veterans and law enforcement officers each of whom I highly respect. And from what I’ve seen, coffee is deeply embedded in military and law enforcement culture. Many founders of veteran coffee companies have stories of how just a solid cup of Joe got them through some of the hardest times of their lives.
If you’re looking for the strongest coffee on this list of veteran coffees, we suggest going with BlackOut Coffee.
We’ll be continuing to update this list of veteran coffees and veteran owned coffee brands on an on-going basis. If you’ve tried any excellent coffees made by our veterans, please let us know in the comments below. We’d love to encourage support for them as well.
To close out this article, check out the video below that shows scenes of our beloved veterans returning home. Perfect to listen to while drinking a cup of veteran owned coffee. Thank you to our veterans and military! I thought this remix was a fitting tribute to our veterans.
Bonus: If you’re looking to support law enforcement coffee as well, check out Texas True Blue Coffee. The company is dedicated to contributing a significant portion of its profits to families of fallen officers. Texas True Blue Coffee also assists with officer training and reaches out to fund programs for inner city youths.
Hi! You should also look into Freedom Hill Coffee! Out of Bellaire, Michigan. Veteran owned and operated. It’s also entirely ran by only four people. 20% of every purchase gets donated to organizations to help combat mental health issues among service members & first responders. It’s also so delicious 🙂 Best coffee, hands down!
Hey Jessie, thanks for the recommendation.
How about Veteran Roasters Coffee out of Chicago. They are owned and employ veterans and their coffee is great too?
Hi Joseph,
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying it but thank you for bringing the brand to our attention!
Based off your article, I chose to order some coffee as a Christmas gift from Cathcart coffee company. It was a total disappointment. I ordered the coffee on December 17, and my credit card was charged on December 18. As of this date, January 12, the recipient has yet to receive the coffee. I have sent four emails to customer service, and have received no response. There is no phone number listed to call and speak to a human. I finally contacted my credit card company a couple days ago and contested the charge, and they removed it.
Cathcart Coffee appears to be based in Snohomish, WA. The recipient of the gift lives in Seattle, just a few miles away, so it’s clear that delivery delays are not the issue.
I would warn anyone that this business is not reliable. It may have great coffee, but I’ll never trust to order from them again.
Hi Joanne,
I’m sorry to hear that that was your experience with their customer service. Poor customer service is never acceptable no matter how great the coffee is. We sent them an email as well referencing this article to see if they can provide some kind of response to your message.