Review: Defender Coffee's 1776 and Liberty roasts

Defender coffee donates profits to pro-gun groups, including FPC, GOA and SAF.

For me, caffeine is a food group, not unlike nicotine, bourbon and rare steak.

I’m not into flavored blends — I like coffee flavored coffee — and decaf is the devil.

I need a strong, dark roast to get me going each morning.

Enter Defender Coffee.

They made a big splash in the Second Amendment community when they began donating profits to pro-gun groups: Gun Owners of America, The Firearm Policy Coalition and the Second Amendment Foundation. (You get to pick the group that gets the money when you check out.)

I also appreciate their mission statement:

DEFENDER COFFEE WAS CREATED BY PATRIOTS FOR PATRIOTS. IT’S COFFEE FOR AMERICANS DEVOTED TO DEFENDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT. IT’S COFFEE FOR AMERICANS WHO UNDERSTAND IF YOU DON’T FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, YOU LOSE IT. THAT’S WHY DEFENDER COFFEE DONATES PROFITS TO GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT FIGHT TO DEFEND THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

That alone is reason to support Defender Coffee, right? But how’s their brew?

I spoke to Deric, Defender’s Owner, a few days ago. I had to admit I was the only guy I knew who hadn’t yet tried his products.

He sent me two bags: 1776 Roast and Liberty Roast along with a mug and some cool swag.

The 1776 Roast is dark and strong and about as subtle as a sucking-chest wound. The flavor is incredible. There’s not even a hint of bitterness. It was clearly some of the best coffee I’ve ever had … until I tried the Liberty Roast.

The Liberty Roast is very special. In fact, it’s perfect.

“This robust, organic dark roast has tasting notes of dark chocolate, oak and cocoa,” it says on the Defender website.

I’m not a connoisseur, but I do feel comfy telling you it’s an incredible cup of coffee, which I’ll be buying now by the five-pound bag.

Ours is a small community. We need to support businesses that support us. Besides, this is a really great cup of coffee. I’m drinking some right now.

As always, thanks for your time.

Lee