PDX!

Hello readers!

It's been a while, and boy do we have some catching up to do. Since my last update I have competed and placed 6th overall in the Western Canadian Barista competition...it was an amazing experience and I look forward to competing again this year.

I also made a trip to Portland...for me, the coffee mecca of North America. Everything good seems to happen there. Here are some snippets of our trip, big thanks to Brent Fortune for being a most excellent tour guide! I cannot wait to go back.

We stayed at the Jupiter hotel in Burnside...cool place if you like to party all night, not cool if you want to sleep. That said it was an awesome idea, an old motel converted into a hip outdoor hotel (yeah that's right there IS a difference) the restaurant connected to the lobby was a selling feature all on it's own...

the doug fir. Amazing burgers, killer breakfast and cheap beer.

Ok so I know why we are here...what about the coffee you're asking, ok well here we go!

First stop:

Stumptown coffee at the Ace hotel

You cannot go to Portland and not go to Stumptown. This is where it all started in some ways...Stumptown paved the way for many of the micro roasters and 3rd wave shops that inhabit the streets of this lovely little town today. The fact that the Ace hotel is one of the hippest of hip places to stay makes it no surprise that the cafe in their lobby is an actual Stumptown location. Had an espresso, my first taste of the magic that PDX had to offer...it tasted like heaven

thank you san francisco

I was fortunate enough to be able to take some time out of my busy schedule and take a mini vacation to the lovely city of san francisco. My girlfriend and I took in the sights and sounds of this wonderful place, and of course tasted some of the best coffee we have had to date. I won't get into too much detail about the rest of the trip, as this is a blog dedicated to one thing...so on with the coffee!

First stop: Four Barrel Coffee (375 Valencia Street)

I'd read plenty about this spot, so my expectations were high...that said, as we approached four barrel we were soon aware that this was THE favourite local spot (the crowd out front rivalled any we'd encountered on our trip) after standing in line for a little while, we were greeted with a smile and we ordered two macchiatos. The espresso used was the Four Barrel espresso blend (picked up a 12oz bag for myself), roasted in house with love. The mac really pulled out the rustic berry notes and dark chocolate hints in the coffee, it tasted lovely. The decor of this place is almost as amazing as the coffee. The taxidermy animal heads ad a super rustic feel to the place, along with exposed heavy wood beams and an industrial revolution'esque set up of machinery on the other side of the counter, the overall ambiance is comfortable and classic.

next stop: Ritual Roasters (1026 Valencia Street)

I was excited to check out ritual based on what I'd heard from other coffee geeks in the past. I was told of rockstar baristas, loud hip hop music, huge crowds and great coffee. Well two of these things were true. After spotting their revolutionary red sign from almost two blocks away (great job branding this place!) we prepared to be shocked and awed..The place was busy and the coffee was pretty fantastic, but it was mellow and friendly. Not the hardcore in your face setting I expected. Anyways on to the coffee. I ordered up a gebralter (hey, why not? it is just a mac in a rocks glass after all) and settled down at a rustic slab table with mis-matched chairs. The espresso used was the sweet tooth, very fruity and true to it's name, especially in milk. Great spot, awesome staff and they moved the line at a pace close to ours (for those of us who work at our downtown location you know what I mean...it's impressive!)

next stop: blue bottle (1 ferry building)

ah yes...blue bottle. I was told specifically to check this place out by a number of people when I told them I was going to the city by the bay. So, we did. The first location we checked out was in the ferry building, which is chalk full of great food as well. The shop is set up like a kiosk, and was smoking busy. I ordered up a mac once again. The espresso used was the retrofit.

WOW. Talk about an espresso made for the macchiato. It paired perfectly, and still maintained all of it's flavor even in milk (al be it a small amount of milk) great little spot, amazing coffee and once again very friendly staff!

final stop: blue bottle (66 mint street)

well it was our last day and I had to check out the blue bottle which was closest to us before we left. We stayed in union square, so the mint plaza location was super close to where we were. After a brief walk in the rain, we found it and stepped inside. Great little set up, amazing old building. I wanted to take a break from the spro (I was feeling the side effects of too much seafood the night before) so I decided to order up my first cup of "drip" since we'd left. Now I say drip, but I do not mean airpot drip coffee, I mean made-to-order pour over drip coffee. The coffee being served was the Bella Donovan (which is described as the "wool sweater" of their blends) well it was just that. Nice and easy to drink, comforting and friendly with a clean finish. It warmed me up, woke me up and got my day off to a good start.

So that was san fran. It was not a coffee trip, otherwise I would have a lot more to say and post on here, but I did make sure to check out the essential san fran coffee destinations. Each and every one was amazing, and the staff at every location was more than welcoming and willing to chat. Thank you to everyone, and thank you San Francisco, I will be back one day!

...thank you vancouver

Well,

I learned more in the past two days than I have in a long time, I had a blast and I'd like to take the time to thank everyone who made it possible (my bosses Ian & Jesse, Terry and his boys from Crema, EVERYONE at JJ, Spencer for being patient and honest with me...all the cafe's and baristas who provided some of the most amazing coffees I have ever had the privilege of tasting.

Here's a little play by play (in no particular order) of where we went, what we had and how it was.

Crema: Wow, first stop and let me just say... The boys at Crema have one of the most talented, passionate, fun teams I have ever witnessed. Down to earth staff, welcoming, open bright feel and atmosphere, busy busy busy and plenty of fun little gadgets hanging out on the counters (no..not just the iPads and abundant iPhones...I'm talking aeropresses, pour overs etc.) Sampled a picture perfect macchiato (George and Navid beautiful job guys!) the espresso used escapes me but perhaps if one of you reads this you can remind me!

Michi: Talk about modern and clean design...this place looked and felt amazing. Minimalist decor and layout, AMAZING looking waffles (next time, I promise!) and I had my first ever Gibralter) nice work! it tasted great and while I have met some folks who write it off as "not a drink" I must admit it looks cool and espresso and milk always taste great (well...almost always)

Wicked: One of my favourite stops, let's just sum it up...rustic, comfortable, ILTELLIGENTSIA trad cap to start day two was absolute perfection.

49th: Great look, amazing branding/colors, friendly baristas, wild milk dispenser, beautiful machine! Macchiato was solid

JJ: I cannot say enough about these guys, but thank you for everything, each and every store was amazing, friendly staff... and I fell in love with my espresso of choice that will be accompanying me to the Western Canada Regionals (which I will talk more about at a later date)

Elysian Room: Hip little spot, great macchiato and the granola bar complimented it very very well, love what these guys do.

To anybody on here that I forgot...sorry, it was a wild two days and I'm still coming down from the high so if I need to update I will!

JJ Bean visit/training

I've been fortunate enough to have been selected to compete in this years Western Canada Regional barista competition (August of this year). In preparation for this event I am making a trip to JJ Bean to take part in some cuppings, learn about coffee from a perspective that I have yet to experience and work side by side with some of the best in the business.

I'm looking forward to this little vacation, expect updates when I get back.

viva la resistance!...

Welcome,

This is a little piece of the internet dedicated to the art project/chemistry experiment/ever-progressing learning experience that we baristas are fortunate enough to call our jobs. This is not about extra hot, sugar-free, half sweet etc...this is about coffee done proper. This isn't snobbery, nor is it elitism, this is for people who are passionate about what they do.

This is black coffee, here's to the beginning!