Backyard Beans Bonfire Coffee Review
How’s it going? Hope the coffee is flowing! In this Backyard Beans Bonfire Coffee Review, I’m taking a look at another coffee from one of Pennsylvania’s most recognizable roasters. With a name like Bonfire, I expected a warm, comforting cup filled with rich flavors. Backyard Beans delivers exactly that with sweet vanilla, chocolate, and subtle smoky notes.
This review breaks down exactly what you can expect from a cup of Bonfire, from fragrance to finish. I brewed it using both a French press and a pour-over to see which method brings out the best flavors and whether this coffee deserves a place in your rotation.
The Roaster
Backyard Beans was founded in 2013 in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, by Laura and Matthew Adams. The couple first began roasting coffee as a hobby using a popcorn popper. As they developed their roasting skills, they noticed their local farmers market lacked fresh, locally roasted coffee. That realization inspired them to turn their passion into a business.
Today, their lineup includes a variety of blends and single-origin coffees, including Bonfire, a Sumatra sourced from the Aceh Province. Sumatra is one of the world’s most recognizable coffee origins, known for its earthy character, full body, and low acidity.
Let’s pour a cup and see how Backyard Beans brings this iconic origin to life with Bonfire.
When rating coffee I follow the same method of brewing each time. Learn how I prepare French Press coffee here.
Backyard Beans Bonfire Review
Characteristics and Flavor Profile
Grinding Bonfire brought out a fantastic fragrance of warm sweet vanilla.
| Bonfire | French Press | Pour-Over |
| Aroma | Earthy with a touch of sweet vanilla | Warm vanilla with a distinct sweetness |
| Body | Medium body, lighter than expected for a Sumatra but smooth and enjoyable | Medium body, decent weight for a filtered coffee |
| Start | Cacao-forward with rich dark chocolate notes | Roasty, sweet, cereal grain-like |
| Middle | Sweet vanilla gradually transitions into mild smokiness | Sweet vanilla with light toasted notes |
| Finish | Smooth smoky finish with a touch of sweetness and pleasant tobacco-like notes | Spicy, herbal finish with lingering sweetness |
Overall Thoughts
Overall, Bonfire is a smooth and delicious coffee with a great flavor profile. It is not overly complex, but it is well executed. The combination of sweet vanilla and subtle smoky notes adds just enough complexity without becoming overwhelming. This is an easy-drinking coffee that delivers a unique and enjoyable cup.
- French Press: Smooth and easy to drink with a pleasant flavor profile. While the cup is not overly complex, the combination of chocolate, vanilla, and subtle smoky notes creates an enjoyable experience.
- Pour-over: A coffee-forward start transitions into a sweet vanilla middle before finishing with pleasant spicy and herbal notes that add complexity.
- Preferred brew method: Pour-over.
The pour-over allowed Bonfire to showcase the qualities Sumatra coffees are known for more effectively than the French press. Both brew methods produced a smooth and enjoyable cup, but the spicy and herbal finish of the pour-over complemented the sweet vanilla notes exceptionally well.
The French press delivers a more straightforward cup that most coffee drinkers will enjoy, while the pour-over brings out an added layer of complexity. The combination of sweet vanilla, spice, and herbal notes creates a balanced and memorable cup that will appeal to both casual coffee drinkers and coffee enthusiasts.
Where to Purchase
Bonfire is available directly through the Backyard Beans website for $20 per 12oz bag (about $26.67 per pound). While it sits at a higher price point than some everyday coffees, it remains a fair value for a freshly roasted, organic single-origin coffee.
Conclusion – Backyard Beans Bonfire Coffee Review
Bonfire is a smooth and enjoyable single-origin Sumatra that balances chocolate, sweet vanilla, and subtle smoky notes exceptionally well. While both brew methods produced a satisfying cup, the pour-over brought out pleasant spicy and herbal notes that added another layer of complexity. If you’re looking for a coffee that’s easy to drink with standout flavors, Bonfire is well worth trying.
If you enjoy coffees with dessert-like flavors, check out my review of Cleona Coffee Roasters Nomads, which delivers a memorable s’mores-inspired profile. For a more traditional dark roast experience, my Terra Lava Costa Rican Dark Roast review showcases rich chocolate, caramel, and nutty notes in a smooth and balanced cup.
Both Nomads and Terra Lava earned spots in my 5 Best Dark Roast Coffees I’ve Tried In 2026 roundup, where I compare some of my favorite dark roasts and share my ratings.
Bonfire Scorecard
| Feature | Details |
| Roast | Medium-Dark |
| Flavor Notes | Vanilla, dark chocolate, smoky, spice |
| Best Brew Method | Pour-over |
| Overall Rating | 8/10 |
| Worth Buying? | Yes. A delicious vanilla-forward coffee with subtle smokiness that shines as a pour-over. |
| Buy Now | Backyard Beans |
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