Alpen Sierra Coffee Roasting Company is a dedicated team of Sierra Nevada locals who have been craft roasting fine, sustainable, specialty coffees since 1991. Driven by a passion for excellence, we travel the globe in search of great coffees, teas and chocolates, with fun and adventure as our escorts.

It all began in June 1988. A rainy day trek in the Austrian Alps finds Tahoe local, Christian Waskiewicz, visualizing the future Alpen Sierra Coffee Roasting Company. His vision came true in July 1991 when he became the only local coffee roaster at Lake Tahoe.

Alpen Sierra Coffee is the coffee of choice served at restaurants and coffee shops throughout Lake Tahoe, Northern Nevada and Sacramento.  Click here for a list of Lake Tahoe and regional establishments that serve award-winning Alpen Sierra Coffee.

Any roasting technique must begin with a thorough understanding of the chemistry of coffee. At Alpen Sierra we have made it one of our top priorities to understand the intricate make-up of the coffee bean, which contains over 1,250 chemical compounds! Knowledge and control of the varying effects that the roasting environment can have upon key chemical constituents in the coffee bean and their relative conversions and modifications through the application of heat in order to obtain a full-flavored, sweet and smooth cup is paramount to creating a great product. Combining this technical knowledge with the creative "art" of roasting and blending, inspired by good, healthy mountain living, allows us at Alpen Sierra Coffee Roasting Company to offer you excellent coffees for your daily cup.

Hours Open: Monday - Friday

Seasons Open: Year round

We enthusiastically support sustainable practices. Our coffee roasting plant has been certified organic (processing and handling) since 2002. Our sustainable coffee line is purchased through a broker, who is also certified organic by the USDA.

Most of the coffees are co-op produced, shade-grown, of the Arabica species heirloom varietals, bird-friendly (with some having the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Friendly certification). Although we buy some Trans-Fair, Fair Trade certified coffees, Alpen Sierra is not Fair Trade certified.

Pets are welcome outside.