Our Story
Fogbuster® Coffee Works was born from curiosity, craftsmanship, and a belief that better coffee starts with better roasting.
Our origins are closely tied to Michael Sivetz, the chemical engineer widely recognized for perfecting the fluid bed (air roasting) method. In 1974, Sivetz built his first fluid bed roaster in his garage and later patented the design, proving that coffee could be roasted more evenly and efficiently using hot air convection instead of hot metal.
In the early 1990s, brothers Sean and Darren Pierce began researching innovative ways to roast coffee. Time and again, Sivetz’s name and air roasting process stood out. Curious and motivated, they reached out to him in California. During their meeting, Sivetz shared his original blueprints and taught them the science and benefits behind air roasting. One sip of the smooth, clean coffee was all it took. The knew immediately they had discovered something big.
Sivetz granted the Pierce brothers the rights to use one of his patented fluid bed roaster designs, allowing them to bring air-roasted coffee to New England. At the time, nearly 8% of the world’s coffee was air roasted thanks to Sivetz’s advocacy. Since his passing, that number has dropped to about 1%. Fogbuster proudly remains part of that small group, still using Sivetz’s original fluid bed design to roast coffee daily in Western Massachusetts.
Founded in 1994, Fogbuster® Coffee Works has spent decades refining our air roasting process. By suspending beans in a stream of hot air, we achieve an even roast while naturally removing chaff (the paper-like outer layer) which is the source of much of coffee’s bitterness. The result is a clean bean® finish and a smoother, bolder cup.
We roast USDA Organic and Fair Trade USA certified coffees from around the world in small batches, prioritizing quality, sustainability, and flavor. True to our pioneering roots, we continue to innovate while honoring the craft.
Pierce Brothers Coffee was also among the first coffee shops in the country to feature a drive-through window, reflecting our long-standing drive to rethink how coffee is experienced.
We are pioneers at heart, always searching for what’s next and refining what’s possible so we can continue delivering the highest-quality coffee on the market, cup after cup.
