Three Ships Coffee: Virginia Beach's Fruit-Forward Coastal Roaster
Three Ships Coffee began in 2013 when Brad and Amy Ewing started roasting out of their Shadowlawn garage in Virginia Beach — she a wine sommelier, he a software developer, neither with a coffee-industry background. The name nods to the three ships that first carried English settlers to what's now coastal Virginia, and the brand has since grown from a farmers-market pop-up into a roastery with cafes across Virginia Beach and Norfolk, all while keeping the same seed-to-cup attention to detail.
The active catalog splits between three approachable blends and five single-origin coffees, with Costa Rica and Ecuador forming the backbone of the lineup alongside a Colombian decaf. A Virginia-inspired house blend and a milk-friendly espresso blend round out the roster. CoffeeByMe's AI recommendation engine makes it easy to find your way into this coastal roaster's fruit-driven catalog.
Single Origins
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Union Narino Decaf - Colombia | Medium | Apricot JamCreamy ChocolateRed Grape | $20.00 |
| El Sauce Especial - Ecuador | Medium | CitrusWatermelonGrapeStrawberryPineappleLime Zest | $23.00 |
| Las Torres - Costa Rica | Medium | Sweet GrapeJuicy MangoCreamsicle | $21.00 |
Blends
| Name | Roast | Tasting Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shiptown - Tidewater Espresso | Medium Dark | BrightnessBerryChocolate | $24.00 |
| Sweet Virginia: Commonwealth Coffee | Medium Light | Iced TeaLemon CandyBlack Grape | $25.00 |
| Monte Lenta - Costa Rica | Medium | Sticky HoneyButterscotchMilk ChocolateToffeeMixed Berries | $22.00 |
Roast Profile & Flavor Range
Three Ships sits solidly in the medium-roast lane — five of the eight active coffees land at roast level 3, two lighter, brighter entries sit at level 2, and one medium-dark espresso blend reaches level 4. Flavor themes run tropical and wine-toned: mango, papaya, pineapple, and stone fruit dominate the Costa Rican and Ecuadorian single origins, often via honey or natural processing that adds a jammy, fermented-fruit sweetness, while the blends lean toward berry, chocolate, and toffee for milk-based drinks. Acidity trends medium-to-bright and body runs light to full depending on process. Pricing is consistent and approachable at $20–$25 per 10–16oz bag.
Why Buy Three Ships Coffee
Tropical, honey- and natural-processed fruit character: Costa Rican and Ecuadorian lots deliver mango, papaya, and wine-toned sweetness rarely found together in one small-batch catalog.
A genuine local story: Three Ships grew from a Virginia Beach garage roast into a cornerstone of the Hampton Roads coffee scene, and that seed-to-cup care shows up in every active lot.
Balanced blend lineup: Three house blends — from a milk-friendly espresso base to a lighter, tea-like everyday cup — give drinkers of any roast preference an entry point.
Easy-to-navigate catalog: With eight active coffees at a consistent $20–$25 price point, CoffeeByMe's AI recommendations help you zero in on the right origin and process without decision fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Three Ships Coffee located?
Three Ships Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Virginia Beach, VA.
What does Three Ships Coffee specialize in?
Three Ships sits solidly in the medium-roast lane — five of the eight active coffees land at roast level 3, two lighter, brighter entries sit at level 2, and one medium-dark espresso blend reaches level 4.
Where can I buy Three Ships Coffee coffee?
You can browse Three Ships Coffee's coffees on CoffeeByMe and click through to buy directly from the roaster, or visit Three Ships Coffee's own website.
