Quick answer: Black Rifle Coffee (BRCC) is a veteran-founded US roaster that sells approachable, mostly medium and dark roasts rather than specialty single-origins. Core 12 oz bags list at US$16.99 (US$15.99 per bag on the Coffee Club subscription), checked October 2026. Start with Just Black (medium, the flagship) for drip, AK-Espresso for espresso or milk drinks, and Silencer Smooth if you prefer a lighter cup. It is a good fit if you want a consistent supermarket-to-subscription coffee from a mission-driven brand. Look elsewhere for light-roast, origin-led specialty coffee.
This review is based on Black Rifle Coffee’s own product listings, FAQ and investor pages, checked in October 2026. We have not run a blind tasting panel. The flavour notes below are the roaster’s own descriptions, and we say so wherever we quote them. Prices are US list prices on blackriflecoffee.com and change often, especially during sales.
Who Is Black Rifle Coffee Company?
Black Rifle Coffee Company was founded in 2014 by Evan Hafer, a former Green Beret, and describes itself as a veteran-founded company committed to supporting veterans, active-duty military and first responders (BRCC, Our Story). Co-founders listed on the same page include Mat Best and Jarred Taylor, both military veterans. The company has publicly committed to hiring 10,000 veterans.
BRCC is not a small independent roaster any more. It became a public company in February 2022 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BRCC (BRCC investor FAQ). Its own FAQ says it sources beans from Colombia and Brazil, then blends and roasts them in-house (BRCC FAQ).
Black Rifle Coffee Roasts Compared
BRCC’s range is large and rotates, with limited releases alongside the core line. The table covers the year-round roasts most buyers start with. Tasting notes are as described by BRCC; prices are for a 12 oz bag on the brand’s site (BRCC coffee collection).
| Roast | Roast level | BRCC’s description | Formats listed | 12 oz price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silencer Smooth | Light | Latin American Arabica; citrus, caramel, milk chocolate; crisp finish | Ground, whole bean, 5 lb, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| Gunship | Light | Floral aroma, light caramel, ultra-smooth finish | Ground, whole bean, 5 lb, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| Just Black | Medium (flagship) | Cocoa and vanilla aroma, bold flavour, smooth buttery finish; built for drip | Ground, whole bean, 18 oz, 5 lb, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| AK-Espresso | Medium blend | Light Colombian + dark Brazilian; nutty aroma, citrus and dark chocolate; for drip or espresso | Ground, whole bean, 5 lb, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| CAF Roast | Medium | “Unruly” caffeine content (no figure given); maple syrup, milk chocolate, clove | Ground, 5 lb, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| Beyond Black | Dark | Spicy aroma, dark chocolate, smoky finish | Ground, whole bean, 5 lb, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| Freedom Fuel | Dark (8 on BRCC’s 1–10 scale) | Dark chocolate, walnut, anise | Ground, whole bean, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
| Just Decaf | Medium | 100% Colombian, Swiss Water decaf; cocoa, vanilla, buttery notes | Ground, whole bean, K-Cups | US$16.99 |
Other prices listed in October 2026: 12-count K-Cups US$12.99, 5 lb bags US$79.99, and limited or flavoured roasts at US$15.99–17.99 for 11–12 oz. Some special whole-bean releases list at US$30–40.
Which Black Rifle Roast Should You Buy?
- For everyday drip or batch brew: Just Black. BRCC built it as its flagship drip coffee, and it comes in the most formats, from 12 oz up to 5 lb.
- For espresso, lattes and cappuccinos: AK-Espresso. It is the only core roast BRCC positions for espresso, and its light-plus-dark blend is designed to hold up in milk. Expect to fine-tune grind and ratio; our espresso dial-in guide walks through it.
- If you like a brighter, lighter cup: Silencer Smooth or Gunship. These are BRCC’s light roasts, but they are not Nordic-style specialty light roasts, so do not expect a very acidic, tea-like cup.
- If you like dark and smoky: Beyond Black or Freedom Fuel.
- If you want the most caffeine: CAF Roast is the roast BRCC markets on caffeine, but it does not publish a milligram figure. Caffeine per cup depends mostly on dose and brew method, so drinking more of any roast matters more than which roast it is.
- Evenings: Just Decaf, which uses the chemical-free Swiss Water process.
All of the core roasts come pre-ground. If you have a grinder, buy whole bean: it stays fresh longer, and BRCC’s own FAQ says ground coffee in an airtight container stays fresh for up to about four weeks, with whole beans lasting longer (BRCC FAQ). Good water helps any roast taste better; see our guide to water chemistry for coffee extraction.
Black Rifle Coffee Club: Is the Subscription Worth It?
The Coffee Club is BRCC’s repeat-delivery subscription. According to its FAQ (BRCC FAQ), members get:
- Free shipping on subscription orders, plus discounts on every shipment compared with retail pricing.
- Tiered 12 oz bag pricing: 1 bag US$15.99, 2 bags US$30.38, 3 bags US$43.17, 4 bags US$54.37. That works out to about US$13.59 per bag at four bags, against US$16.99 retail.
- Access to members-only products, partner-brand discounts and loyalty points.
- A 25% discount on the first subscription order for current or former military and first responders who verify through ID.me.
BRCC also runs a separate Exclusive Coffee Subscription at US$28.00 a month. Each delivery is a limited-run roast with collectible packaging. The October 2026 release is a washed Caturra from Huila, Colombia (BRCC).
Read the terms before you sign up. Subscriptions renew automatically. The FAQ asks you to cancel at least seven days before your next shipment, says coffee cannot be returned, and says BRCC ships only within North America. Without a subscription, free shipping applies to US economy orders of US$75 or more. If you are weighing BRCC against other options, our roundup of coffee subscription services compares the alternatives.
Where to Buy Black Rifle Coffee
Besides its website, BRCC lists its own Black Rifle Coffee Outposts, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s “and other retailers”, with a store locator on its site (BRCC FAQ). Shelf prices at third-party retailers can differ from the website prices above.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clear, simple range with roast levels and flavour notes on every bag page | Not a specialty, origin-focused roaster; most core roasts are blends |
| Many formats: whole bean, ground, 5 lb bags and K-Cups | Roast dates and per-cup caffeine figures are not published on the product listings we checked |
| Coffee Club discounts bring a 12 oz bag down to about US$13.59 at four bags | No returns on coffee; subscription needs seven days’ notice to cancel |
| Veteran-founded, with a stated commitment to veteran hiring and causes | Brand identity is strongly political and military-themed, which not every buyer wants |
The Verdict
Black Rifle Coffee is a solid choice if you want reliable, familiar-tasting medium and dark roasts in convenient formats and like supporting a veteran-founded company. Just Black and AK-Espresso are the safest first buys, and the Coffee Club pays off if you drink two or more bags a month. If you care most about traceable single-origin lots and light, fruit-forward roasts, a specialty roaster will suit you better. Our guide to coffee bean origins and roast profiles explains what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Rifle Coffee veteran-owned?
Black Rifle Coffee was founded in 2014 by Evan Hafer, a former Green Beret, and describes itself as veteran-founded. It has been a public company since February 2022, trading on the NYSE as BRCC, so it is owned by its shareholders.
How much does Black Rifle Coffee cost?
Core 12 oz bags list at US$16.99 on blackriflecoffee.com (checked October 2026). On the Coffee Club subscription, one 12 oz bag is US$15.99 and four bags are US$54.37, or about US$13.59 each. 12-count K-Cups list at US$12.99 and 5 lb bags at US$79.99.
What is the best Black Rifle Coffee roast?
For most people, start with Just Black, BRCC’s flagship medium roast built for drip coffee. Choose AK-Espresso for espresso and milk drinks, Silencer Smooth for a lighter cup, and Beyond Black for a dark, smoky one.
Which Black Rifle Coffee has the most caffeine?
BRCC markets CAF Roast on its “unruly” caffeine content but does not publish a milligram figure. How much caffeine ends up in your cup depends mostly on how much coffee you use and how you brew it.
Where can I buy Black Rifle Coffee?
On blackriflecoffee.com, at Black Rifle Coffee Outposts, and at retailers including Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. BRCC’s website has a store locator.
Keep Learning
- Best coffee subscription services compared
- Coffee bean origins and how to profile roasts
- Espresso dial-in guide: fix sour, bitter, fast or slow shots
- Water chemistry for coffee extraction
- Ryze mushroom coffee review: ingredients, caffeine and price
Sources
All prices and product details checked October 2026.
- Black Rifle Coffee Company. Coffee collection: roast descriptions, formats and prices.
- Black Rifle Coffee Company. FAQs: Coffee Club benefits and pricing, military discount, shipping, returns, cancellation, where to buy, storage.
- Black Rifle Coffee Company. Our Story: founding, founders and veteran-hiring commitment.
- Black Rifle Coffee Company Investor Relations. FAQ: NYSE ticker, incorporation year and public listing date.
- Black Rifle Coffee Company. Exclusive Coffee Subscription.
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