When you live in a city as busy as Calgary, coffee isn’t just a morning ritual—it’s an invigorating cup that fuels you forward. 

But with coffee shops popping up left and right, the competition to capture the hearts of caffeine enthusiasts is getting tighter every day. How on earth do you stand out? 

Here’s a little secret: the path to the best coffee in Calgary starts with the right coffee beans for your brew method. From aero to espresso, every brew style deserves its own star bean. Ready to find out which ones are a match made in heaven? Let’s spill the beans. 

Table of Contents | The Best Coffee Beans for Every Brew Method: Recommendations for Calgary Coffee Businesses

1. Pour-Over

2. French Press

3. Espresso

4. AeroPress 

5. Cold Brew 

6. Drip Coffee

8. Siphon 

9. Percolator 

Spoiler Alert: Here’s Where You’ll Find the Finest Coffee Beans in Calgary

1. Pour-Over

Brew Method: Pour-Over
Recommended Coffee Beans: Light Roast, Single-Origin, Washed Process

Why these beans? Pour-over brings out the nuanced, delicate flavours in coffee beans. Light roasts from regions like Ethiopia or Kenya—especially those processed by expert Canadian coffee roasters—shine even brighter when they’re brewed using this method. Expect vibrant acidity, floral notes, and a clean finish.

What to expect: Every pour-over is like a mini coffee adventure, revealing layers of flavour with each sip. It also allows more precise control over the brewing process, including water temperature and flow rate. This method brings out subtle tasting notes—think citrus, jasmine, and stone fruit.

Why add it to your menu? For those seeking the best coffee Calgary has to offer, a pour-over menu is a mark of quality and craftsmanship. It’s the go-to method for extracting flavours efficiently and has the power to highlight the unique characteristics of the coffee beans. 

2. French Press

Brew Method: French Press
Recommended Coffee Beans: Medium to Dark Roast, Earthy Blends

Why these beans? The French press is all about unleashing deep, bold flavours and a heavy mouthfeel. Medium or dark roasts—often Brazilian or Colombian blends—are ideal, as their oils and robust notes aren’t lost in translation to the full-immersion brew. They stand up and stand out. Using lighter roasts is likely to end up tasting weak. 

What to expect: Think rich chocolate, toasted nuts, and a creamy texture that will keep anyone coming back for more. The French press delivers a robust cup that’s full-bodied and comforting, perfect for those chilly Calgary mornings.

Why add it to your menu? It’s a classic for a reason. The French press is perfect for sharing because it produces a larger volume of coffee in one go, easy to scale for multiple guests, and a total crowd-pleaser for those who love their coffee bold. 

3. Espresso

Brew Method: Espresso Machine
Recommended Coffee Beans: Dark Roast, Signature Blends

Why these beans? The espresso brew method always calls for next-level intensity. Dark roasted beans—often blends from South and Central America—perform beautifully under pressure. Look forward to syrupy, concentrated shots with notes of chocolate, caramel, and spice. 

What to expect: Rich crema, velvety body, and bold flavour. There’s no doubt that espresso is the backbone of lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. And that’s why it’s such a menu essential for Calgary coffee shops. 

Why add it to your menu? Let’s be real: who doesn’t love Espresso drinks? Always in constant demand, investing in a quality espresso blend from trusted Canadian coffee roasters sets your menu apart. Trust us, just like magic, it’ll keep customers coming back for the best coffee in Calgary at your establishment. 

4. AeroPress 

Brew Method: AeroPress
Recommended Coffee Beans: Medium Roast, Balanced Single-Origin or Blend

Why these beans? The AeroPress is the ultimate multitool of coffee accessories. It’s not just for making basic coffee—you can brew espresso-style shots, cold brew, and more.

It’s popularly used to bring out the true beauty of Medium roasts from Guatemala or Costa Rica. Expect a balanced cup with enough acidity for brightness and enough body for smoothness.

What to expect: A clean, sweet cup with hints of fruit and chocolate awaits! The AeroPress is fast, forgiving, and perfect for experimenting with different beans and recipes.

Why add it to your menu? Great for on-the-go customers and coffee geeks alike, AeroPress shows off immense range and creativity. 

5. Cold Brew 

Brew Method: Cold Brew
Recommended Coffee Beans: Medium to Dark Roast, Smooth Blends

Why these beans? Arguably the coolest of them all, cold brew transforms coffee into a smooth, refreshing treat. Beans with lower acidity and chocolatey notes—often from Brazil or Sumatra—make for the best cold brew, never tasting sour or over-extracted.

What to expect: Like a breath of fresh air, cold brewing medium to darks roasts results in a mellow, chocolate-forward cup with a subtle sweetness and zero bitterness. The truth is cold brew is a hit year-round, and not just Calgary’s sunny summer festivals.

Why add it to your menu? Cold brew is a bestseller in any season and it’s easy to batch as well. Offer it straight, on nitro, or as a base for creative caffeinated cocktails.

6. Drip Coffee

Brew Method: Automatic Drip Machine
Recommended Coffee Beans: Medium Roast, Crowd-Pleasing Blends

Why these beans? Meet the brew method that’s got drip. At the same time, it’s the reliable workhorse of café and office life. Medium roasts, often blends with Latin American beans, provide consistently balanced cups with caramel and nutty notes.

What to expect: Comforting and familiar, drip coffee is smooth and easy-drinking—perfect for those who want a classic cup without fuss.

Why add it to your menu? Drip coffee is essential for high-volume service. It’s approachable, quick, and universally loved—a must for any business offering coffee in Calgary.

7. Moka Pot 

Brew Method: Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso)
Recommended Coffee Beans: Medium-Dark Roast, Italian-Style Blends

Why these beans? A moka pot is a classic stovetop brewer that uses steam pressure to push hot water through ground coffee—producing a rich, intense brew that many would say is somewhere between espresso and drip coffee. Because moka pots amplify the richness of coffee, you’ll want a blend that’s bold but not burnt. Medium-dark roasts that embody chocolate, nut, and spice notes are the best way to go. 

What to expect: A strong, espresso-like brew with a hint of nostalgia—perfect for those craving European café vibes right here in Calgary.

Why add it to your menu? Moka pot coffee is a unique menu item that’s sure to attract curious customers. Oh, and it gives your café that artisanal edge, too. 

8. Siphon 

Brew Method: Siphon
Recommended Coffee Beans: Light Roast, High-Quality Single-Origin

Why these beans? Meet the showstopping brew method that highlights complexity—a siphon is a visually striking vacuum-style coffee brewer that uses heat and pressure to create a clean, flavourful cup—it’s part science lab, part café art. Light roasts from Ethiopia or Tanzania bring out floral, fruity, and tea-like notes that will leave palate’s dazzled. 

What to expect: An aromatic, complex cup with a silky body and a dramatic presentation you just can’t stop looking at. 

Why add it to your menu? The siphon embodies coffee theatre—it turns a simple order at Calgary coffee shops into an interesting experience.

9. Percolator 

Brew Method: Percolator
Recommended Coffee Beans: Dark Roast, Sturdy Blends

Why these beans? Percolators may be old-school but they’re ultra effective. They do best with dark, robust blends that won’t lose character through repeated heating. Darks roasts can stand up to the percolator’s brewing process, which can otherwise result in a more intense and bitter taste if not carefully managed. 

What to expect: Deep, intense coffee with a comforting, old-fashioned kick—great for diners and brunch menus.

Why add it to your menu? For those who crave a taste of the past, percolator coffee is pure nostalgia and a fun. Trust us when we say every menu needs a retro addition. 

Spoiler Alert: Here’s Where You’ll Find the Finest Coffee Beans in Calgary

No matter your favourite brew method, choosing the right coffee beans is what will make or break the results.  

Ready to explore a whole new world of unique flavour? 86 Coffee in Calgary is your ultimate source for top-tier beans that are imported from all over the world, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Honduras, El Salvador, Kenya, Sumatra, Burundi, and Panama. 

To help you craft a menu that’s truly unlike any other, we also custom-roast beans to perfection exactly the way you dream them to be. 

Discover our programs for cafes, restaurants, hotels, and offices. 

Explore our other blogs: 

• Understanding Coffee Grinds: How to Optimize Your Restaurant’s Coffee Menu
• Inside the Roast: Understanding the Coffee Roasting Process with Calgary’s Finest Roasters
• Calgary’s Coffee Revolution: How 86 Coffee Roasters are Shaping the City’s Caffeine Culture 
• The Ultimate Checklist for Coffee Supplies: From Beans to Brew Methods
• Exploring Different Coffee Roasting Techniques: Which Method is Right for You?  

86coffee - Coffee Experts

Chad has been working in the hospitality industry - cafes, restaurants, breweries, etc. for 25 years before discovering his calling for coffee. For Chad, it’s all about being involved in the coffee-making process every step of the way to truly understand the craft. He aims to bridge the gap, especially in terms of bringing the best service to customers.

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Coffee Experts