Top 7 Strongest Coffee Brands, Ranked

Who doesn’t love a strong cup of coffee in the morning? Some of us might even go to bed thinking about that morning liquid magic the night before. After the alarm goes off and we manage to drag ourselves out of bed into the kitchen, that first cup greets us like an old friend. No one wants to be met by a weak, watery cup of coffee. For the coffee lovers out there, finding the strongest coffee is more than a want. It is a necessity. Lucky for you, there is no need to wander the coffee aisle at your local grocery store, under-caffeinated and overwhelmed.  

How does one define a strong cup of coffee? Is it the caffeine content? Bold flavor? A combination, perhaps. While caffeine isn’t essential to life, it certainly has its benefits. A recent study found that drinking just one cup of coffee daily may add years to your life by lowering the risk of death due to heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, respiratory problems, or kidney disease by 12 percent. Drink two or three cups a day? Your risk of death due to these diseases decreases by 18 percent. Well done, caffeine lover, well done. 

Drinking coffee may also ward off dementia and Alzheimer’s. Researchers at the University of Indiana in Bloomington found caffeine to be one of 24 compounds that increases the brain’s production of the enzyme NMNAT2. This enzyme resists dementia and other neurological degenerative disorders. The study also reports that NMNAT2 resists amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or “Lou Gehrigs Disease.” 

Clearly, drinking coffee, and strong coffee at that, has long term benefits. In the short term, a strong cup of coffee helps us wake up, focus, get our feet out the door and conquer the world. This leaves us with one thing left to do: find the strongest coffee out there. We at StudyFinds read through eight different expert sources to determine the top seven most recommended coffee brands for all you strong coffee lovers. Have a favorite that isn’t listed? Let us know in the comments. 

The Strongest Coffee Brands Most Recommended by Experts

1. Death Wish Coffee 

If you like your coffee moody, Death Wish Coffee is for you. The company’s slogan (vision statement might be more applicable here) is, “Let’s drink coffee and throw things at happy people.” Here, the popular single serving k-cup is a death cup. Coffee bags are branded with a skull and crossbones. At 728 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce cup of coffee, Death Wish appears on every single “strongest coffee” list we found. In the words of your Manhattan-born mother-in-law, “This coffee will put hair on your chest.” Tread lightly; this cup is not for the faint of heart.  

However, while the caffeine content is astronomical, Death Wish doesn’t compromise on flavor. Both Susan Rov of The Coffee Lab and reviewers at Coffee Affection highlight the unique flavor profile of Death Wish coffee. While emphasizing its bold caffeine content, Rov assures that it boasts a smooth and never-bitter taste. Coffee Affection echoes this sentiment, describing it as smooth and even flavorful, with hints of chocolate and cherry. Additionally, they mention Death Wish’s confidence in their product, offering a risk-free guarantee of a refund if you’re not satisfied. But would you really ask a company called Death Wish to refund your money? Nope.

Death Wish will give you a kick in the pants, but it won’t burn on the way down. It’s the perfect cup for the coffee drinker that values both flavor and caffeine content. Better yet, Death Wish is USDA-certified organic and Fair Trade. This company may be intimidating, but it has a big heart. 

2. Devil Mountain Coffee  

Born in the shadow of California’s Mount Diablo, Devil Mountain Coffee has been making disciples of their patrons and terrifying coffee drinkers around the world with its insane caffeine content. Nothing touches Devil Mountain, specifically the company’s Black Label blend. Chris Clark from Brew Coffee at Home explains, “While the FDA recommends a safe and healthy 400 milligrams of caffeine, Black Label Coffee nearly quadruples that with 1550 milligrams per 12-ounce cup.” Yikes.

While the caffeine content of Devil Mountain coffee is sky high, so is the altitude at which their beans are sourced. Coffee grown at high altitude has its perks when it comes to flavor. Coffee Lab explains, “Even with the elevated caffeine levels, the brand promises a strong but smooth taste from their coffee. This is because they source their beans from high altitudes, providing a premium taste in your cup.” 

Keep in mind, this is a very strong cup of coffee. It holds the top spot on The Caffeine Informer’s list of deadliest coffees in the world. “You need to be extremely cautious when drinking this one and not only be highly tolerant to caffeine but also have a low sensitivity to the caffeine molecule,” they say. Devil Mountain is also the official coffee of NASCAR’s Sonoma Raceway. This is the stuff of Ricky Bobby’s dreams. We’re not saying drinking Devil Mountain coffee will turn you into a racecar driver, but all of that caffeine might make you feel like one.

3. Biohazard Coffee

If you’re noticing an emerging trend of strong coffees being named for the stuff of nightmares, you’re on to something. Biohazard Coffee is so dangerous that they acquire their beans from a single source and will not disclose its location. If you’re okay with the possibility of becoming a real-life Tony Stark (the superhero part would be very cool), Biohazard might be for you. 

The experts at Twigs Cafe note that Biohazard is, “simply among the world’s strongest coffee with amazing tastes and 928 milligrams of caffeine quantity in every 12-ounce cup.” We’re finding over and over again that strong coffee does not mean an overly bitter flavor. Try New Coffee claims that Biohazard, “has some nice earthy character and is likely to be enjoyed by dark roast fans.” You won’t find floral or fruity taste notes in a cup of Biohazard coffee. Instead, the experts at Coffee Affection detect notes of popcorn, nuts, chocolate, and tobacco.

Should you decide to give Biohazard a try, know that this brand does not make k-cups. That’s right, if you’re willing to roll the dice and open a bag of these potentially hazardous beans, there’s no turning back. 

4. Banned Coffee

Rule breakers, assemble! If the Weasley Twins were your primary source of behavior inspiration growing up, you may want to check out Banned Coffee. This coffee is so controversial we could not even find a company website. You’ll have to order on Amazon or search your local grocery store. We recommend using the self-checkout (and cash only) while purchasing so as to not get caught with this highly caffeinated, elusive bean.  

The caffeine content is high, but at 474 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce cup, this coffee packs a punch while being unlikely to cause any permanent damage to your person. Banned Coffee also values flavor. Sip Coffee House explains, “They carefully roast the coffee to avoid smokey or bitter tastes. That lets the chocolate and berry notes come through with low acidity. The mix of Arabica with Robusta beans adds to the heavy body.” 

Over-roasting beans can contribute to a bitter taste. According to Coffee Affection, “Banned vows to never over-roast its beans, to ensure optimal caffeine levels and taste.” Banned Coffee even has a pumpkin spice blend. Thank you, Banned Coffee, thank you.  

5. Black Insomnia

Are you a college student looking to pull an all-nighter? Or maybe you’re binge watching the “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy (extended versions only, please) and need some caffeine to help you cross the finish line. Whatever the circumstance may be, at 1105 milligrams per 12-ounce cup of coffee, Black Insomnia will keep you awake. 

Honestly, the name Black Insomnia scares us. However, the experts at Brew Home Coffee rave about its flavor, saying, “Black Insomnia Coffee comes in warm, comforting flavors, such as hazelnut, caramel, and dark chocolate.” Artisanal roasting methods contribute to Black Insomnia’s complex flavor profile and prevent the blend from becoming too bitter.

Black Insomnia coffee may be defined by its ability to keep you up all night, but it is also the brand that seems to pay the most attention to detail when it comes to roasting methods. Coffee Affection explains, “Black Insomnia says its secret to its crazy caffeine content is a combination of its rare blend of beans and finely tuned roasting process.” While Black Insomnia seems to have a gruff exterior, it’s not hard to picture Rubeus Hagrid, the gentle giant, at the helm of the roasting machine.

6. Very Strong Coffee

The name says it all. Imagine for a moment, the founders of Very Strong Coffee brainstorming the most original coffee brand name well into the wee hours of the morning. The caffeine is wearing off and they are unable to stomach any more coffee. They simply cannot go on. So, they decide to tell it like it is and adopt the name Very Strong Coffee. (This is, of course, a completely fictional account.)

Produced in the U.K. but easily and affordably shipped to the U.S., Very Strong Coffee lives up to its name. The Caffeine Informer states that Very Strong Coffee, “is the most dangerous cup in the UK and offers a big dose of caffeine for those who just don’t get a lift from regular coffee anymore.” That’s right, if your body has become desensitized to caffeine, the 1350 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce cup of coffee might still be able to give you the caffeine high your body is craving. This coffee is, as they say, very strong.

Coffee Affection notes that Very Strong Coffee is made with “100% Robusta coffee beans, which have naturally higher caffeine levels.” Very Strong Coffee prides itself on producing the most caffeinated cup of coffee in the U.K. with the flavor to back it up. According to Sip Coffee House, this “results in a potent brew with potent aromas. So if you’re looking for a rich, intense cup of coffee, this brand may be for you.”

7. Shock Coffee

Shock Coffee is known for being the strongest all-natural coffee. Twigs Cafe states, “Without any additives, Shock Coffee delivers over 300 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup.” If you’re looking for a clean coffee that is 50 percent stronger than the average cup of joe, Shock Coffee might be your best bet.

Shock Coffee does not mince on flavor. Brew Coffee Home mentions, “Shock Coffee uses an Arabica and Robusta bean blend sourced from high-altitudes which also aids in taste.” They add, “The flavor is so tasty, you won’t even need to add milk or cream to drink it.” We’re not sure why someone looking for the boldest, strongest cup of coffee would want to taint it with milk or sugar, but it’s nice to know that this coffee stands on its own. 

Based in NYC, Shock Coffee is right at home in the city that never sleeps. This coffee keeps city dwellers sufficiently caffeinated and able to do important things like run the Stock Market and keep building taller buildings. 

Sources: 

• Sip Coffee House
• The Coffee Lab
• Try New Coffee
• Brew Coffee Home
• Enjoy Java
• Coffee Affection
• The Caffeine Informer
• Twigs Coffee

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.