OVERALL CHAMPION
2024 GOLDEN BEAN
WORLD SERIES
SMALL CHAIN/FRANCHISE
Coffee Reviews
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“...impressively balanced, sweetly nut-toned Colombia."
Colombia Supremo
2016
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"Tropical aromatherapy! This experimentally processed Geisha is characterized by tropical fruit and herb notes, rich-toned and uniquely composed, with a complex, lyrically sweet cup."
Wilton Benitez Thermal Shock Geisha
Ranked #13 out of 30 in
2023
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"An enigmatic, multi-layered, tart-leaning Colombia Red Bourbon with impressively complex aromatics."
Wilton Benitez Thermal Shock Red Bourbon
2023
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"A deep, rich, balanced and inviting cold brew, especially sweet and caramelly in the milk shot ... The coffee tied for the second-highest rating in a tasting of ready-to-drink black coffees for Coffee Review’s July 2021 tasting report."
Cold Brew
2021
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"A superb, nectar-like natural-processed Ethiopia displaying intense candy- and floral-toned aromatics."
Ethiopia Super Wush
2021
Awards & Accolades
#1 INDEPENDENT COFFEE SHOP IN THE U.S.
USA TODAY, 2023
“With multiple locations in the Chicago area, Big Shoulders Coffee is a must-stop for no-nonsense artisan beans, roasted to perfection.”
-10best.usatoday.com
GOLDEN BEAN NORTH AMERICA 2022
NORTH AMERICAN FRANCHISE/CHAIN WINNER
Best Coffee in Every State, Illinois Winner
Food & Wine, 2019
““There are few roasters in this town capable of showcasing their own coffees quite so brilliantly—some of the most exciting moments from this year’s survey involved paper cups of batch-brewed black coffee, served at the pleasant-enough Big Shoulders shop on Lake Street with zero pleasantries whatsoever, cups of coffee that practically set our hair on fire with their precision. (2018’s Kenya Kirinyaga, you were particularly special.) In case you ever wondered, or if anyone ever asks you, where do you go in Chicago, for a really good, no-bull cup of coffee, look no further.”