About Us

Blue Merle Roasters didn’t start from a business plan, but was born from sleepless nights, the need for good coffee, and our beloved Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, Bentley.

Two months before our first child was born, Bentley was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. After losing a leg and beginning chemotherapy, we found ourselves sleeping on the floor beside our newly three-legged dog as he fought for his life.

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When our son arrived, the long nights with a sick dog became long nights with a newborn. Coffee became essential, and we started noticing how often store-bought beans fell short. We did some research and found that most grocery store coffees are roasted weeks earlier and lose their freshness long before brewing. ​There was one other problem: freshly roasted coffee from online retailers roasting to order was often too expensive for weary parents drinking 4 (or 6) cups of coffee a day.

 

Our solution was to start roasting at home, first on a small 8-ounce roaster, then on a 1-pound machine. We shared our coffee with friends and family, and their encouragement led to requests for more. We upgraded to a production roaster, and before we launched publicly, Blue Merle Roasters grew through word of mouth, including partnerships with local businesses like Silva’s Coffee Grind. Through it all, Bentley was by our side. He loved resting in the garage basking in the awesome smell of freshly roasted coffee while recovering from chemotherapy and life on three legs. ​

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After two unforgettable years, Bentley lost his battle with cancer. As a tribute to the dog who inspired this journey, stayed close through every batch, and taught us the meaning of resilience and love, we put Bentley’s silhouette on every bag of Blue Merle Roasters coffee.  Additionally, we donate $1 from every bag sold to canine cancer research: because Bentley’s story is part of every cup, and we hope his legacy can help give other families and their dogs more time together.