Climbing Fire: Our Journey Up Acatenango: The Birth of Gringo Roasters Guatemala

There are adventures that test you, and then there are adventures that change you. Our hike up Volcán Acatenango in Guatemala was both.

We signed up for a group trek—not entirely sure what to expect, just craving something real. Something raw. From the first dusty footstep on the trail, it delivered. The air was thick with ash and pine, the path steep and relentless. But there was this shared buzz among our group, a mix of adrenaline, awe, and instant camaraderie. We met some incredible people on that climb—fellow travelers and now lifelong friends. There’s nothing like swapping stories over shared blisters and trail mix.

As we gained altitude, the landscape shifted. Jungle gave way to dry, volcanic earth. The trees thinned. The wind picked up. And then came the moment that seared itself into memory: standing at base camp as the neighboring Volcán de Fuegoerupted—massive, glowing bursts of lava splitting the night sky.

That volcano didn’t just light up the night—it sparked something in us. The raw energy of the land, the deep earth tones, the power and patience it takes to build something bold—it all came together. And that’s when the vision for Gringo Roasters Guatemala Coffee came to life.

We knew we had to find beans that reflected that same energy. Grown high in the Guatemalan highlands, our roast is rich, earthy, and full of character. It’s coffee that tastes like the trail—like smoke and soil and sunrise above the clouds. Every sip reminds us of that mountain, that moment, that fire.

This isn’t just a cup of coffee. It’s a piece of the volcano. It’s the spirit of the climb. And we’re proud to bring that to your mornings.

Ready to taste the mountain?