SEY Coffee vs George Howell Coffee

SEY Coffee and George Howell Coffee are both respected names in specialty coffee, particularly known for pursuing Cup of Excellence lots and top-tier auction coffees. Unfortunately, neither roaster currently has live inventory data available, so we'll focus on what they're known for in the broader specialty scene.

Last updated August 5, 2026. Data refreshed daily from roaster webshops.

SEY Coffee

Coffees tracked: 0

George Howell Coffee

Coffees tracked: 29
Avg price /100g: US$40.71/100g
Price range: US$6.18/100g – US$527/100g

Top picks

SEY Coffee

SEY Coffee is for experimentally-minded drinkers who want a Brooklyn roaster with a track record of pursuing rare microlots and lighter, fruit-forward roast profiles.

No coffees tracked yet for this roaster.

George Howell Coffee

George Howell Coffee is for those who want access to competition-level beans from a pioneering roaster with deep direct-trade relationships and a scientific approach to brewing.

Verdict

Without current inventory data, your best bet is checking both sites directly to compare what's available. If you want historic pedigree and a more methodical approach to COE coffees, George Howell is the safer pick. If you're drawn to a younger, more adventurous aesthetic with equally serious sourcing, try SEY. Both will deliver competition-level quality when they have COE lots in stock.

What they share

Both actively bid on and feature Cup of Excellence auction lots, often highlighting COE winners in their lineups
Both roast lighter to showcase origin character and terroir rather than develop heavy roast flavors
Both maintain direct relationships with producers and prioritize transparency in sourcing
Both cater to home brewing enthusiasts and specialty cafés rather than mass-market consumers

Key differences

SEY skews younger and more experimental with occasional natural-process and anaerobic fermentation coffees, while George Howell takes a more classical, washed-coffee-focused approach
George Howell has been in the game since the 1970s with a more established reputation in competition coffee, while SEY is a newer Brooklyn-based operation with a downtown aesthetic
George Howell offers more educational content and brewing resources tied to his legacy in specialty coffee advocacy
SEY's branding and café presence targets a younger, design-conscious Brooklyn crowd, while George Howell appeals to coffee purists and home-brewing geeks across demographics