BEAR coffee
A Roaster We Trust
BEAR's inception stems from a shared love for exceptional coffee, genuine connections and memorable experiences. Childhood friends Craig and Michael first explored this passion tinkering with an espresso machine in Craig's father's shed, sparked by Craig's travels in Australia and Michael's adventurous background in the Royal Marines.
Identifying a local market gap, they embarked on a mission to establish a brand that not only offered outstanding products but also served as a hub for community gathering. In 2016, BEAR emerged from a derelict space atop Uttoxeter's High Street, quickly becoming the bustling heart of the town.
The success of their first coffee shop attracted the support of founding investor Chris Price, empowering Craig and Michael to refine and expand their vision. Today, BEAR boasts a network of physical stores, an online presence and a thriving central HQ, employing over 100 individuals across the Midlands and beyond. That journey from a garden shed to a genuine regional employer is exactly the kind of story we love championing in the independent UK roasters we feature in our specialty coffee subscription boxes.
BEAR Coffee Gicherori
This classic "Sidamo" style coffee is grown on small farms in the north of the Bench Sheko region, an area known for its dense forests and sustainable farming practices. Here, the coffee is grown under shade trees, alongside spices, honey, grains and fruit. Once picked, it is processed centrally by Shochoch Trading. The coffee cherries are dried using the natural method, in the sunshine, leading to a fruit forward flavour profile. Committed to environmental and community welfare, Shochoch Trading invests 15% of their revenue into local education and social projects.
This coffee is developed for coffees consumed without milk. The delicate flavours will be lost when milk is added, so definitely try this one black first.
For home espressos, try adjusting your coffee-to-water ratio compared to the Hometown blend. For a great one-cup V60 recipe, try the below.
Coffees like this are exactly why RISE Coffee Box exists. Every month, we blind taste 25-30 coffees from independent specialty coffee roasters across the UK – from Midlands favourites like BEAR to standout names we've discovered along the way – and choose only the very best to feature in our coffee subscription boxes. If you love discovering new specialty coffee, sustainably sourced and roasted by people who genuinely care about where it comes from, a RISE coffee subscription is the easiest way to explore it all from home.
