The Story So Far
From Melbourne brews to South Coast moves.
It all started in 2012, down a laneway, on a trip to Melbourne, where I had my first proper taste of speciality coffee.
That one coffee blew me away and lit the fuse. I dived deep into the world of coffee: origins, roasting, brewing methods, the lot. What started as curiosity turned into obsession.
Years later, back in my hometown, I was inspired by the creative heartbeat of Hastings. Independent shops, artists and makers, all doing things their own way.
It was here, in this town built on character, coastline and no small history of smuggling itself, that the idea for Smuggler's Drop was born.
Having been fascinated by tales of smugglers as a child, I wanted to bring some of that covert, anarchic spirit back. Exotic goods, brought in from overseas, processed in Hastings before being shipped up the country.
The name says it all. The ‘drop’ in roasting is the moment the beans tumble out of the roaster (still my favourite magic moment).
It’s the black package of exotic goods, dropped on your doorstep with a playing card: if you know, you know.
And it’s how the coffee is released: in seasonal drops rather than a fixed ‘house’ blend, because coffee is a seasonal fruit and I want you to taste each coffee at its best.
Every coffee is single origin and fully traceable so that I (and you) know exactly where it’s come from, and I test every batch before it leaves the roastery.
Sustainability is also incredibly important to me. I roast on an electric roaster run on green energy, pack in recyclable materials, and send wholesale orders in reusable containers to keep waste down. It starts at the source, too: I buy from farms that invest in conservation and in the people who work the land, because great coffee shouldn't cost the earth.
Smuggler's Drop is for people who care where their coffee comes from and want it to taste like it. Small-batch roasted right here in Hastings, ethically sourced, sustainable and tested until it's right, every single time.
Bryn Robinson
FOUNDER
Cards on the Table
Every coffee I roast is named after a playing card: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Joker. So you're never stuck guessing what's in the bag.
Want chocolatey, nutty flavours for your milky coffee? There's a card for that. Or perhaps you’re looking for a cleaner cup and a lighter roast? Yep, there’s a card for that too. Or maybe you’re feeling adventurous and fancy something fruitier and funkier? You guessed it, I’ve got a card for you.
I shuffle the deck regularly to keep things fresh.
See the full deck and find your card: The Cards
FAQs
Where is Smuggler's Drop coffee roasted?
Every bag is hand-roasted by me in small batches right here in Hastings, East Sussex.
Is it single origin, or a blend?
Single origin, always. I don’t do blends or a fixed ‘house’ coffee because I like to highlight one particular farm or area, so the flavours and profile of the beans can really sing. I rotate the coffees seasonally to keep things fresh and interesting.
Do you sell wholesale?
Yes. No minimum orders, just great coffee for your customers. Explore our wholesale options
Where can I try it in person?
Look out for the Smuggler's Drop coffee cart at markets and events around Hastings (The Yard is a staple), or find our coffee stocked in select local cafés and shops around Hastings, St. Leonard’s-on-Sea and East Sussex.
LOOKING TO STOCK SOME CONTRABAND?
Enquire about our wholesale options.
No minimum orders. Just great coffee
for your customers.