SEY Coffee vs George Howell Coffee

SEY Coffee and George Howell Coffee are both heavyweights in the Cup of Excellence sourcing game, but neither currently has live coffees in our data set. That makes a direct price or origin comparison impossible right now, though both roasters have built reputations around competitive auction lots and direct producer relationships.

Last updated June 23, 2026. Data refreshed daily from roaster webshops.

SEY Coffee

Coffees tracked: 0

George Howell Coffee

Coffees tracked: 26
Avg price /100g: US$19.80/100g
Price range: US$6.18/100g – US$92.92/100g

Top picks

SEY Coffee

SEY Coffee is for geeks who want Brooklyn's most cerebral roaster—known for hyper-seasonal microlots, often from COE auctions, and a roast style that prizes clarity and fruit-forward expression.

No coffees tracked yet for this roaster.

George Howell Coffee

George Howell Coffee is for those who want New England's elder statesman of specialty—a roaster with decades of COE judging experience, meticulous sourcing notes, and a slightly more approachable roast profile that balances brightness with body.

Verdict

Without live inventory data, we can't compare current pricing or selection. But if you're chasing the most adventurous COE lots with cutting-edge processing, SEY is your pick. If you want COE coffees vetted by one of specialty's most experienced palates, with a track record going back decades, go George Howell. Both will empty your wallet for the right auction microlot—expect to pay premium prices either way.

What they share

Both are vocal advocates for Cup of Excellence and regularly purchase auction lots from winning farms
Both prioritize transparency in sourcing, often publishing detailed farm and processing information
Both roast lighter to highlight origin character rather than roast development
Both have cult followings among home brewers and cafe professionals who value traceability

Key differences

SEY skews younger and more experimental, often featuring natural and anaerobic processes; George Howell leans classic with more washed coffees
George Howell has a longer institutional history (founded 1974 as The Coffee Connection) versus SEY's newer Brooklyn roots (2011)
SEY's branding is minimalist and art-forward; George Howell's is more traditional and education-focused
George Howell often includes tasting notes from George himself (a longtime COE judge); SEY's notes tend to be more collective and descriptive