Crimson Kraken Micro-Roastery grew from more than a decade of curiosity, adventure, and a genuine love of coffee.
I’m Chris, an Army veteran and longtime coffee enthusiast based in Portland, Oregon. Over the years, I’ve explored just about every side of coffee—from pour overs and espresso to latte art and eventually home roasting. What began with small batches and a desire to make better coffee at home eventually led to the opportunity to step up to a Mill City gas roaster and create Crimson Kraken Micro-Roastery.
The name Crimson Kraken has its own story. I’m an avid scuba diver, and one of my most memorable early encounters underwater was seeing a Giant Pacific Octopus for the first time here in the Pacific Northwest. There was something unforgettable about seeing such an incredible animal in its natural environment. That experience stuck with me, and when it came time to give this little roastery a name, Crimson Kraken felt right—a nod to the Pacific Northwest, exploration, and the adventures that are best fueled by good coffee.
Crimson Kraken is intentionally small. I roast carefully selected green coffees in small batches, focusing on freshness and bringing out the sweetness, chocolate, fruit, and character already present in each coffee. Rather than roasting large quantities to sit on a shelf, my goal is simple: fresh green coffee, roasted to order.
This is a hands-on operation, and I like it that way. Every bag is something I personally roast, handle, and am proud to put the Crimson Kraken name on.
Thanks for supporting a veteran-owned Portland micro-roastery and helping me turn a longtime passion into something I can share with others.
Small Batch. Big Adventure.
— Chris