Prevail Coffee, Auburn Coffee Roaster
Wade Preston quit his job in 2012 to become a barista. He and his co-founder, Megan, had both worked in the non-profit world before coffee pulled them in. Wade then spent two years in Atlanta's coffee scene.
In 2013 the pair opened their first cafe in downtown Auburn, Alabama. Demand grew from there. People wanted the coffee beyond the cafe's own counter, and the founders began roasting for wholesale under the name Prevail Coffee Roasters.
The non-profit background still shows in how the company talks about itself. Prevail describes its mission as being a "quality connector for authentic community," and it backs that with a stated focus on transparency across the supply chains that bring its coffee to Auburn. It buys from producer friends around the globe. The coffees it looks for are, in its words, "produced with patient respect for land and labor."
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia | Wush Wush | Medium | Cherry ColaRed GrapeRose Water | $26.00 |
| Costa Rica | San Roque | Medium | BlackberryPomegranateRed Wine | $26.00 |
| Guatemala | Las Marias | Medium | Peanut ButterMilk ChocolateOrange Marmalade | $22.00 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cicada Cold Brew Blend | Medium Dark | MolassesRed CurrantBlack Tea | $21.00 |
| Red Tail Espresso Blend | Medium Dark | Dark ChocolatePecanSpiced Orange | $19.50 |
| Bootlegger Blend | Medium | VanillaHudson CherryBrown Sugar | $21.00 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Prevail's About page says little about equipment, so the roasting picture here comes from the coffees themselves. Most of what Prevail roasts sits at medium. A few coffees go a step darker, but the list stays near the middle of the scale instead of chasing either the lightest or the darkest end.
The catalog is mixed. Single origins and blends share the shelf, a balance that suits a company that began as a cafe and still roasts for one. Prices are mid-range for specialty coffee, which keeps a bag within reach for regular drinking rather than special occasions.
What Prevail Coffee Coffees Tend to Taste Like
Fruit leads. Cherry and other dark fruit show up across the list, with some stone fruit alongside. Chocolate and nut tones are the main accent, leaning toward cocoa and baked sweetness, and caramel-style sugars such as brown sugar and vanilla round out the middle. Floral notes appear now and then, a lighter touch against the richer flavors. Medium roasting tends to keep fruit present while giving the cup more body and sweetness than a light roast would, so expect coffees that taste of fruit without turning sharp. Prevail's own page talks about respect for land and labor rather than flavor targets.
Why Buy Prevail Coffee
Founders who started behind the bar: Wade Preston quit his job in 2012 to become a barista, and Prevail grew from there into a wholesale roaster.
A downtown Auburn cafe since 2013: The company opened its first cafe in downtown Auburn in 2013, and the roasting grew out of demand at that counter.
Medium roasts with fruit leading: The list leans medium and mixes single origins with blends, with fruit at the front of the flavor picture.
Transparency as a stated value: Prevail says it buys from producer friends around the globe and puts weight on supply chain transparency. Its mission line, "quality connector for authentic community," reads like the words of two people who came to coffee from non-profit work.
Is Prevail Coffee Right for You?
Medium-roast drinkers who want some fruit in the cup, without the sharp acidity of a very light roast, fit this list well. Because singles and blends sit side by side, one order can pair an everyday blend with a single origin to try, all at mid-range prices.
Light-roast purists should look elsewhere. The list rarely reaches the brightest, most delicate end of the scale. Dark-roast drinkers will find a step of extra depth, though not the smoky, heavy end they may be after. Drinkers chasing experimental fermentation lots will find Prevail's list steadier and more familiar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Prevail Coffee located?
Prevail Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Auburn, AL.
What does Prevail Coffee specialize in?
Prevail's About page says little about equipment, so the roasting picture here comes from the coffees themselves. Most of what Prevail roasts sits at medium. A few coffees go a step darker, but the list stays near the middle of the scale instead of chasing either the lightest or the darkest end.
Where can I buy Prevail Coffee coffee?
You can browse Prevail Coffee's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Prevail Coffee's own website.
