For caffeine lovers in Cullman, it’s not a long trek to find the best coffee house in the State of Alabama — at least, not if you trust the judgment of those who read Alabama magazine.

The leisure publication, which features what’s appealing about travel and local culture throughout Alabama, surprised the owners of Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House in Cullman with its July/August edition, which named the local shop the best place to have a coffee in the entire state.

The designation came from readers who voted in the magazine’s “Best of Bama” poll, which compiles the state’s top restaurants, hotels, bars and specialty shops each year.

“They surprised us with it, but it was a nice surprise,” said shop owner Bob Keefe. “We had no idea. It’s great recognition; it means a lot of people — not just Cullman people, but people from out of town who come in whenever we have live music or find us when they’re just here visiting — had a good experience. That’s all you can ask for.”

Berkeley Bob’s was the only local establishment among the magazine’s 40-category awards list. Other winners for 2012 included famous stalwarts such as the Gulf Coast’s Flora-Bama lounge, Birmingham’s Garage Cafe and Shaia’s men’s boutique in Homewood.

Cullman native and frequent James Beard award nominee Frank Stitt was also honored for operating the list’s top French restaurant — Chez Fonfon on Birmingham’s Southside.

The magazine recognized Berkeley Bob’s for the earthy, California-inspired community ambiance Bob and wife Gerri, along with daughter Erin, have brought to the coffee shop over its nine-year stay in Cullman, as well as for the ongoing series of high-caliber musical performances the shop attracts from regional folk, bluegrass and experimental artists who incorporate a visit to Bob’s into their ambitious touring schedules.

* Benjamin Bullard can be reached by e-mail at bbullard@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.