When a coffee company wins Roast Magazine’s Roaster of the Year award, it’s not just about great coffee. It’s about leadership, innovation, sustainability, and meaningful impact across the supply chain.
That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate Driftaway Coffee, the winner of the 2026 Roaster of the Year – Macro Category.
According to the feature in Roast Magazine, Driftaway is recognized for its unique approach to transparency, feedback-driven sourcing, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
And yes – they roast on a Loring S35 Kestrel.
Who Is Driftaway Coffee?
Based in Brooklyn, New York, Driftaway began in a one-bedroom apartment with a simple idea:
help people discover the coffees they love, through taste-first exploration and constant feedback.
Unlike most roasteries, their business was designed as an online-first subscription model – long before that was common. As the article notes, founders Anu Menon and Suyog Mody built the company on tech-forward systems, data collection, and customer-driven evolution.
Today Driftaway:
- Roasts over 125,000 pounds annually
- Works with 46+ wholesale partners
- Employs a diverse team where 93% come from underrepresented communities
Why Driftaway Chose Loring
Driftaway roasts on a Loring S35 Kestrel, one of the most fuel-efficient commercial roasters available. As the article highlights :
“The company roasts on a Loring S35 Kestrel, one of the most energy-efficient commercial roasters on the market…”
This efficiency aligns perfectly with Driftaway’s values. They aren’t just sourcing responsibly – they’re roasting responsibly too.
With Loring, Driftaway is able to:
- Significantly reduce fuel use
- Minimize emissions
- Maintain consistent roast profiles
- Support carbon-neutral operations
Learn more about Loring’s sustainability advantages.
Sustainability as a Core Value
According to the article, Driftaway has measured and offset their carbon footprint, including shipping emissions, to achieve carbon neutrality – a rare achievement among subscription-based roasteries.
Their choice of Loring directly supports this mission.
A Commitment to Transparency & Education
Driftaway sets itself apart with systems like:
- The Explorer Box subscription tasting kit
- Farmer Feedback Program, which shares consumer feedback directly with producers
- Bean for Bean, a program contributing to World Coffee Research
- Their new tasting room, designed for education and connection
Their systems-driven approach mirrors the philosophy behind Loring’s own engineering – using smart, thoughtful design to create lasting impact.
A Growing Story of Success
What stands out most is Driftaway’s intentionality. Every choice – from sourcing women-led farms to paying staff above NYC minimum wage reinforces their mission:
People First, Coffee Always.
We’re honored that Driftaway chooses Loring as their roasting partner, and we’re incredibly proud to see them recognized as the 2026 Roaster of the Year.
They are the second Loring customer in three years to earn this award – a testament to the roasters who use our machines to push the industry forward.
Conclusion
Driftaway Coffee’s success is a reminder that innovation, sustainability, and people-first values make a powerful combination. Their Loring roaster is one small part of a much larger story, one we’re proud to support.
To read the full Roast Magazine article, click here.
👉 Explore how Loring helps roasteries like Driftaway grow sustainably: https://loring.com/roasters/