Madcap Coffee - Specialty Coffee Roaster \| Unpacking Coffee [Skip to content](#main-content) [ ![Unpacking Coffee Logo](/images/cuppin-logo.svg) Unpacking Coffee ](https://unpacking.coffee) [ Coffees ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees) [ Roasters ](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters) [ Cuppings ](https://unpacking.coffee/cuppings) [ Recipes ](https://unpacking.coffee/recipes) [ Origins ](https://unpacking.coffee/origins) [ Log in ](https://unpacking.coffee/login) [ ](https://unpacking.coffee/login "Log in") [ Register ](https://unpacking.coffee/register) [ ](https://unpacking.coffee/register "Register") [ Roasters ](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters) Madcap Coffee Madcap Coffee ============= Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States · Roasting since 2008 Madcap Coffee Company is a Grand Rapids, Michigan specialty roaster founded in 2008 by Trevor Corlett, an award-winning barista and trainer. Headquartered in Grand Rapids with cafés in Grand Rapids and Detroit, Madcap supplies specialty coffee through a national wholesale program. Log In to Cup Log in to your account Enter your email and password to continue Email address Password Remember me Cancel Log in Need an account? [Sign up](https://unpacking.coffee/register?intended=https%3A%2F%2Funpacking.coffee%2Fcupping%2Fnew%3Froaster_id%3D139) On the record --------------- Coffees 0 Cuppings 0 The roaster ------------- Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Since 2008 Website [madcapcoffee.com](https://www.madcapcoffee.com) Added May 2025 The interview ------------- From the Unpacking Coffee video series, 2015–2019. ![](/storage/roaster-profiles/139/featured-1200.webp) Watch the interview Episode 018 · April 4, 2016 Grand Rapids, MI, United States ### From the episode - [Madcap Coffee Company](http://madcapcoffee.com/) - [Madcap on Twitter](https://twitter.com/madcapcoffee) - [Designer Seth Herman](http://sethherman.com/) - [Designer Chuck Anderson](http://nopattern.com/) - [Hybrid Media on Vimeo](https://vimeo.com/hybridmedia) Read the transcript THE CONVERSATION Ray: Okay. I'm Ray. I'm Ray. I'm Ray. Kandace: I'm Kandace. Ray: This is Unpacking Coffee. Today, we're talking about Madcap out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kandace: Yeah, we are. Ray: Yeah, we are. Is that how you say it? Kandace: I spent a little time in Michigan. They're big drinkers. Ray: Alcoholic? Kandace: Yeah, I think so. Also, you get 10 cents back every time you bring a can. That's the difference between leaving your cans in the recycling in the front and getting a bunch of cans, bringing it in. You can buy alcohol in the store, so you bring your cans in, and then you just go and get your tequila, and check out. Ray: Well, also, they roast coffee. Madcap was founded in 2008 by Trevor Corlett and Ryan Knapp. Kandace: They are so backed up by coffee cred and awards and championships. We had a chance to talk to Ryan Knapp, who is ... Ryan: I am Ryan Knapp. I'm one of the co-founders, and I'm currently the Director of Coffee at Madcap. At the core of what we're doing, we're finding really, really delicious coffees. Most of my time right now ... I spend about a third of the year on the road, visiting producers, tasting a lot of coffees. Then, when I'm not on the road, we're constantly cupping, sampling coffees. Last year alone, we logged over 3,000 samples that we tasted at our roastery, and that's for the 2 to 3 dozen coffees that actually make it on the menu. That's most of my time right now ... is working with that and working with the roasting team and just working a lot more with the product before it gets into the cafe. Ray: One of my favorite things about this company is that they actually got 2 other folks to partner with them to do design. Kandace: Right. Do you know their names? I do. Ray: Why don't you ... Kandace: Seth Herman and Chuck Anderson. Ryan: They have such good consistent branding, packaging ... Kandace: What is this? This is like a label? This is ... Feel it. It feels like a label from a shirt. Ray: Yeah, it's like a shirt tag. Yeah. This is super cool. You didn't have to do that. I would have loved your coffee anyway. Ryan: The designers are fantastic. They've been, I think, a huge part of taking what Trevor and I loved and taken what our craft is and based on that, and they loved it, and really reached out to us and said, "We'd love to work with you." They were a couple guys that came into the coffee bar every day and really liked what we were doing. At the time ... We had pretty low budget design for the first couple years, just something to make it work because putting all of our energy into the coffee itself. Seth Herman and then Chuck Anderson, both tremendous designers that ... It's gotten me really excited about design in general because before I was just like, "Yeah, design is just marketing; it's whatever", didn't really know that much, didn't immerse myself into it that much. Both Seth and Chuck have done an amazing job of visually communicating what we're about. In everything that they do, from the fabric patch to show that what we do, it's done by hand, it's handmade from start to finish, from the colors that we worked together to really express the vibrancy or frequency that connects with the coffee that's in that bag, to just overall the clean, minimal detail that goes into everything they do. They're brilliant, and they've been an awesome part of really building that up and expressing to more people what we're about. Kandace: We got to enjoy the Lucas Melo. They sent us the Lake Effect and the Kanzu. The Lake Effect was inspired by Michigan lakes. They have this commitment to visiting a large majority of their producers. They're really hands-on. They're travelling a lot. They're having multi-year relationships. Kanzu, I happen to know, came from our friends at Red Fox, so I think on the rare times that they're working with someone, it's someone pretty rad. Ray: You know what? I think the connection is that baristas make coffee. They make coffee. Madcap Coffee, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kandace: Definitely. Watch the Show https://vimeo.com/161428336 THE CONVERSATION Ray: Okay. I'm Ray. I'm Ray. I'm Ray. Kandace: I'm Kandace. Ray: This is Unpacking Coffee. Today, we're talking about Madcap out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kandace: Yeah, we are. Ray: Yeah, we are. Is that how you say it? Kandace: I spent a little time in Michigan. They're big drinkers. Ray: Alcoholic? Kandace: Yeah, I think so. Also, you get 10 cents back every time you bring a can. That's the difference between leaving your cans in the recycling in the front and getting a bunch of cans, bringing it in. You can buy alcohol in the store, so you bring your cans in, and then you just go and get your tequila, and check out. Ray: Well, also, they roast coffee. Madcap was founded in 2008 by Trevor Corlett and Ryan Knapp. Kandace: They are so backed up by coffee cred and awards and championships. We had a chance to talk to Ryan Knapp, who is ... Ryan: I am Ryan Knapp. I'm one of the co-founders, and I'm currently the Director of Coffee at Madcap. At the core of what we're doing, we're finding really, really delicious coffees. Most of my time right now ... I spend about a third of the year on the road, visiting producers, tasting a lot of coffees. Then, when I'm not on the road, we're constantly cupping, sampling coffees. Last year alone, we logged over 3,000 samples that we tasted at our roastery, and that's for the 2 to 3 dozen coffees that actually make it on the menu. That's most of my time right now ... is working with that and working with the roasting team and just working a lot more with the product before it gets into the cafe. Ray: One of my favorite things about this company is that they actually got 2 other folks to partner with them to do design. Kandace: Right. Do you know their names? I do. Ray: Why don't you ... Kandace: Seth Herman and Chuck Anderson. Ryan: They have such good consistent branding, packaging ... Kandace: What is this? This is like a label? This is ... Feel it. It feels like a label from a shirt. Ray: Yeah, it's like a shirt tag. Yeah. This is super cool. You didn't have to do that. I would have loved your coffee anyway. Ryan: The designers are fantastic. They've been, I think, a huge part of taking what Trevor and I loved and taken what our craft is and based on that, and they loved it, and really reached out to us and said, "We'd love to work with you." They were a couple guys that came into the coffee bar every day and really liked what we were doing. At the time ... We had pretty low budget design for the first couple years, just something to make it work because putting all of our energy into the coffee itself. Seth Herman and then Chuck Anderson, both tremendous designers that ... It's gotten me really excited about design in general because before I was just like, "Yeah, design is just marketing; it's whatever", didn't really know that much, didn't immerse myself into it that much. Both Seth and Chuck have done an amazing job of visually communicating what we're about. In everything that they do, from the fabric patch to show that what we do, it's done by hand, it's handmade from start to finish, from the colors that we worked together to really express the vibrancy or frequency that connects with the coffee that's in that bag, to just overall the clean, minimal detail that goes into everything they do. They're brilliant, and they've been an awesome part of really building that up and expressing to more people what we're about. Kandace: We got to enjoy the Lucas Melo. They sent us the Lake Effect and the Kanzu. The Lake Effect was inspired by Michigan lakes. They have this commitment to visiting a large majority of their producers. They're really hands-on. They're travelling a lot. They're having multi-year relationships. Kanzu, I happen to know, came from our friends at Red Fox, so I think on the rare times that they're working with someone, it's someone pretty rad. Ray: You know what? I think the connection is that baristas make coffee. They make coffee. Madcap Coffee, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kandace: Definitely. Watch the Show https://vimeo.com/161428336 Coffees ------- No coffees from Madcap Coffee yet. Cup one and it goes on the record here. Use filters or recent searches to refine your results. Press Esc to close. Filters 12 showing Users 0 Coffees 0 Roasters 0 Recipes 0 Explore featured coffees Start typing to search across the entire database. [ ### [ Arturo Paz, Dark Room Dried: Natural Geisha, Honduras ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/206-arturo-paz-dark-room-dried-natural-geisha-honduras) by [Ritual Coffee Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/180-ritual-coffee-roasters) Process Natural Varieties [Geisha](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/16-geisha) Country [Honduras](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/honduras) Harvest June 2026 Source El Itacayo First noted Oct 20, 2026 Last tasted Oct 20, 2026 1 cupping [ elderflower syrup](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/264 "elderflower syrup") [ honey](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/22 "honey") [ stonefruit](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/102 "stonefruit") [ citrus](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/110 "citrus") [ candied tropical fruit](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/265 "candied tropical fruit") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/206-arturo-paz-dark-room-dried-natural-geisha-honduras) [ ### [ Indian coffee beans from Coorg, Karnataka, India ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/205-indian-coffee-beans-from-coorg-karnataka-india) by [Paul John Caffeine](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/307-paul-john-caffeine) Country [India](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/india) Region Karnataka Source Indian Coffee Beans From Coorg, Karnataka, India First noted Oct 14, 2026 Last tasted Oct 14, 2026 1 cupping ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/205-indian-coffee-beans-from-coorg-karnataka-india) [ ### [ Jhoan Vergara Las Flores Pink Bourbon ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/204-jhoan-vergara-las-flores-pink-bourbon) by [Kafiex Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/249-kafiex-roasters) Process Thermal Shock Washed Varieties [Pink Bourbon](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/1-pink-bourbon) Country [Colombia](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/colombia) Region Huila Source Jhoan Vergara First noted Oct 13, 2026 Last tasted Oct 13, 2026 1 cupping [ froot loops](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/262 "froot loops") [ candied lemon drop](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/263 "candied lemon drop") [ green apple](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/116 "green apple") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/204-jhoan-vergara-las-flores-pink-bourbon) [ ### [ Mama Cherri ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/203-mama-cherri) by [Creature Coffee](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/84-creature-coffee) Process Washed Varieties [Caturra](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/12-caturra), [Catuaí](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/11-catuai) Country [Costa Rica](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/costa-rica) Region Coto Brus Source Doña Isa First noted Oct 09, 2026 Last tasted Oct 09, 2026 1 cupping [ cherry pie](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/141 "cherry pie") [ caramel corn](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/261 "caramel corn") [ butterscotch](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/32 "butterscotch") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/203-mama-cherri) [ ### [ Uganda 96 Hour Natural ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/202-uganda-96-hour-natural) by [DOMA Coffee Roasting Company](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/268-doma-coffee-roasting-company) Process Natural Varieties [SL14](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/102-sl14), [SL28](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/30-sl28), [Nyasaland](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/103-nyasaland) Country [Uganda](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/uganda) Region Mt. Elgon Elevation 1400 - 2000 maslm Harvest 2026 Source The Coffee Yards/norman Mukuru First noted Oct 05, 2026 Last tasted Oct 05, 2026 1 cupping [ cherry](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/5 "cherry") [ lime](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/19 "lime") [ fudge](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/128 "fudge") [ dark chocolate](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/34 "dark chocolate") [ lemon candy](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/251 "lemon candy") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/202-uganda-96-hour-natural) [ ### [ Mustefa Abakeno ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/201-mustefa-abakeno) by [Marigold Coffee](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/252-marigold-coffee) Country [Ethiopia](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/ethiopia) Region Oromia First noted Oct 05, 2026 Last tasted Oct 05, 2026 1 cupping [ orange peel](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/132 "orange peel") [ honeysuckle](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/62 "honeysuckle") [ cacao nibs](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/241 "cacao nibs") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/201-mustefa-abakeno) [ ### [ Dark Star ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/200-dark-star) by [Little Amps Coffee Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/306-little-amps-coffee-roasters) Process Natural Varieties [74110](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/85-74110) Country [Ethiopia](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/ethiopia) Region Jimma Elevation 1950-2150m First noted Sep 29, 2026 Last tasted Oct 21, 2026 1 cupping [ dark chocolate](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/34 "dark chocolate") [ berries](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/199 "berries") [ jammy](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/169 "jammy") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/200-dark-star) [ ### [ Friend Blend ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/199-friend-blend) by [Little Amps Coffee Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/306-little-amps-coffee-roasters) Process Washed Varieties [Caturra](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/12-caturra), [Landrace](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/40-landrace) Country [Ethiopia](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/ethiopia) Elevation 1600 (Colombia)m First noted Sep 29, 2026 Last tasted Oct 16, 2026 1 cupping [ caramel](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/23 "caramel") [ citrus](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/110 "citrus") [ milk chocolate](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/33 "milk chocolate") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/199-friend-blend) [ ### [ Kajere Honey ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/198-kajere-honey) by [Counter Culture Coffee](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/46-counter-culture-coffee) Process Honey Country [Uganda](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/uganda) Region Bulambuli First noted Sep 26, 2026 Last tasted Sep 28, 2026 2 cuppings [ black cherry](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/176 "black cherry") [ raw sugar](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/160 "raw sugar") [ grape](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/11 "grape") [ butterscotch](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/32 "butterscotch") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/198-kajere-honey) [ ### [ Headliner Seasonal Blend ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/197-headliner-seasonal-blend) by [Broadsheet Coffee Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/300-broadsheet-coffee-roasters) First noted Sep 17, 2026 Last tasted Sep 24, 2026 2 cuppings [ cherry](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/5 "cherry") [ fudge](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/128 "fudge") [ plum](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/10 "plum") [ milk chocolate](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/33 "milk chocolate") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/197-headliner-seasonal-blend) [ ### [ Strawberry Shake ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/196-strawberry-shake) by [KOS Coffee Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/304-kos-coffee-roasters) Process Co-fermented and experimental (Strawberry) Varieties [Pink Bourbon](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/1-pink-bourbon), [Castillo](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/13-castillo) Country [Colombia](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/colombia) Region Quindío Elevation 1400m Source Viviana Martinez First noted Sep 16, 2026 Last tasted Sep 16, 2026 2 cuppings [ strawberries](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/259 "strawberries") [ peach](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/3 "peach") [ creamy](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/260 "creamy") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/196-strawberry-shake) [ ### [ Peru Guardian del Bosque ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/195-peru-guardian-del-bosque) by [Northbound Coffee Roasters](https://unpacking.coffee/roasters/301-northbound-coffee-roasters) Certifications Organic Process Natural Varieties [Geisha](https://unpacking.coffee/varieties/16-geisha) Country [Peru](https://unpacking.coffee/origins/peru) Region Amazonas Harvest 2025 Source Ronal Carranza Montenegro First noted Sep 10, 2026 Last tasted Sep 10, 2026 1 cupping [ dried strawberry](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/248 "dried strawberry") [ floral tropical fruit](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/257 "floral tropical fruit") [ fruit loops cereal](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/258 "fruit loops cereal") [ raw sugar](https://unpacking.coffee/flavors/160 "raw sugar") ](https://unpacking.coffee/coffees/195-peru-guardian-del-bosque)