The Story
September Coffee Company was founded in 2022 by Kyle Rowsell and Natasha in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. The couple left their previous careers to launch a micro roastery with a singular focus: highlighting the work of small coffee producers through carefully roasted, traceable lots.
What started as a Kickstarter-backed project quickly found an audience among Canadian specialty coffee drinkers. September operates as a true micro roastery — roasting weekly and shipping fresh, with a model built around seasonal single-origin releases rather than year-round blends. The name reflects a fresh-start energy, and the company has grown through a loyal subscription base and partnerships with retailers like Eight Ounce Coffee and Dayglow.
Sourcing & Relationships
September’s sourcing is distinctly focused on rare cultivars from small producers across Latin America. Their current offerings read like a who’s-who of interesting varietals: Geisha from Panama and Colombia, Pink Bourbon from Colombian farms, Sidra from Peru, and Mejorado from Ecuador. Every coffee is named for the producer or farm — Letty Bermudez, Neftalí Fajardo, Arnaldo Guzman, David Flores — reflecting full traceability and a relationship-first approach.
The emphasis on small-lot, producer-named coffees signals a sourcing philosophy where the farmer’s work is the product. September positions itself as a platform for these producers, keeping the focus on origin character rather than roaster branding.
Roasting Philosophy
September organizes their roasting into three distinct series. The Shower Series focuses on single-origin filter coffees with lighter development to showcase bright, sweet, and clean cup profiles — this is the core of what they do. The Storm Series applies more development for increased texture, body, and solubility while maintaining a modern, delicate approach with balance. The Squall Series offers seasonal and experimental releases.
The overall philosophy aims to express sweetness and clarity. September roasts to let the producer’s work speak, particularly with the exotic cultivars they favor. Their inclusion of a custom Third Wave Water packet with subscriptions signals how seriously they take the full brewing chain from roast to cup.
What to Try
Start with whatever’s current in the Shower Series — these single-origin filter lots rotate frequently and represent September at their best. Their Colombian offerings, particularly the Pink Bourbon lots, showcase the sweet, clean profile the roastery is known for. Buttercream, a Colombian Castillo processed with thermal shock, is a recurring favorite. For espresso drinkers, Peanut Brittle — a Brazilian natural Catuai — is designed specifically for milk drinks. The monthly subscription is worth considering for early access to new lots and the included water packets.