Brothers Bryan and Daniel Charlson founded Dark Horse Coffee Roasters in 2013 in San Diego's Normal Heights neighborhood. After 12 years at the original location, the roastery relocated to 3330 Adams Avenue in 2024, where a Loring S35 Kestrel handles production alongside a cupping and training lab for wholesale clients. All coffee is roasted in house in small batches, sourced through direct trade relationships with smallholder farmers across Latin America and Africa. Dark Horse now operates eight locations, including six across San Diego County, a kiosk inside San Diego International Airport's Terminal 1, and a cafe in Koloa on the island of Kauai.