Country’s top coffee roasters descend on Glasgow in battle to be crowned UK’s best

The search for the UK’s finest coffee roaster is underway, with the winner set to be announced on the final day of the Glasgow Coffee Festival 2026 (GCF26).

As the festival prepares to expand into the Clydeside Halls in The Briggait, Glasgow is set to accommodate a record 2800 attendees, and the UK’s Best Roaster competition will take centre stage for the first time ever. 

The competition – which features roasters from London to Aberfeldy – will showcase the precision and expertise behind the perfect bean. Each finalist is required to roast an identical coffee to their own specifications, while also submitting a sourced coffee of their choice to represent their brand’s style.

A blind, peer-assessed cupping will take place on 17 April 2026. All coffees will be available for festival goers to taste and judge. The winner will be announced on 19 April – the festival’s final day. 

The 2026 finalists are a who’s who of the UK’s coffee scene, including a pair of Glasgow roasters: Dear Green and Thomson’s. 

Making the trip from England will be Chipp Coffee Co from Leeds, London’s Carnival Coffee Roasters and Lincoln and York (Brigg). 

Tilted Coffee Roasters will be flying the flag for Wales, while Aberdeen’s Figment Coffee, Gatehouse Coffee roasters and Rise & Grind Roastery from Paisley, as well as Aberfeldy’s Glen Lyon make up the rest of a strong representation from Scotland. 

Founder of the festival, Lisa Lawson said “Roasting requires knowledge, skill and scientific approach, it’s a key link in the specialty coffee industry’s supply chain. By bringing the Best Roaster UK competition to GCF26, we’re celebrating the resilience and passion of the people who make Glasgow and the UK one of the most exciting coffee destinations in the world.

“We always said this year was going to be bigger than ever and this is one of the biggest updates to the Festival in years.

“The competition is fierce this year, featuring some of the most respected names in the industry. To see these roasters go head-to-head is going to be a real highlight for coffee lovers.”

Festival-goers will be able to enjoy the competition coffees at the Best Roaster UK stand, and be part of the competition by voting for the Public’s Choice live at the festival.