Abstract Several efforts have been made by many researchers worldwide to develop coffee plants resistant to different Cercospora species; however, studies concerning C. coffeicola , specifically, are still incipient. In the present study, a blend of strains from this pathogen was inoculated into 18 Brazilian commercial cultivars, a coffee clone of Arabica, as well as into 41 accessions from the Germplasm Collection of Minas Gerais, to evaluate the genetic resistance ability within the population and select superior genotypes for the breeding program. After predicting genotypic values of the evaluated material, the most efficient way to select genotypes based on the data of severity to brown eye spot (BES) was also examined. Moreover, the action of defense mechanisms against C. coffeicola attacks was investigated by assessing the levels of total soluble phenolic compounds and soluble lignin in contrasting genotypes regarding disease susceptibility. Based on the results, the accession MG 1207 Sumatra demonstrated an intrinsic genetic capacity to maintain low levels of severity to brown eye spot. This genotype can thus substantially contribute to the development of new cultivars, which may lead to reduced use of pesticides. This study also evidenced that four evaluations of severity is enough to reach accuracy and efficiency for the severity of BES, thus providing expressive genetic gains. Finally, it is suggested that the levels of lignin and phenolic compounds are not associated with the resistance of coffee genotypes to brown eye spot.