Seattle…

Stage two of my N.W. vacation dropped me off in Seattle for Coffeefest and more coffee geekage. Day one Tony and I made the rounds to the Vivace Rosteria, Alley 24, and the University Zoka; this was somewhat of an underwhelming day for coffee for us in Seattle. The best coffee of the day comming earlier at Lava Java via Phoung on the way out of Portland.

Up early in the mornin’ to get to the Milrock latte art comp. Got my pour on, made it to finals, then set out to Victrola with a posse that included myself, Tony, Scott Lucey, Justin Teisl, Ryan Willbur, Stephen Vick, and the newly dubbed Al-Alah-Broham. Victrola was by far my favorite place for coffee while in Seattle. The last drink I had there was kick ass. The coffee tasted to me the way a wood mill smells when cedar and oak chips are flying through the air; warm, dense and earthy without being stewy; not excedingly complex but very balanced and quite enjoyable. Later on that night at the Visions party we all got some pre-finals latte art practice on the coveted GS3.

Latte art finals blah, blah, blah. I got third place, Justin scored second, and Colter (Canada) took the win…Lucey made it to the finals but didn’t place since he made it into an article in the Seattle Times and didn’t want to take all the fame. The ESI booth seemed to be calling us so we highjacked that shit with breakneck speed. Lucey and Teisl threw in some Alterra spro to get the ball rolling with the GB5. Reid Hickman, Nick Griffith, and Hiroshi (Japan), soon joined in for a full scale takeover. I’m not sure why companies like ESI don’t commission baristas to work their booths for them…such a shame. I’m not sure if the Alterra was dead on but it was good. Malty/chocolatey like a frosty from Wendy’s with a cream-like coating mouthfeel…hmmm, creamy but with a bit of grit sprinkled throughout if that makes sence.

Last up comes the main reason for the excursion…Tony’s/Wanderlust’s GB5. Fuck yeah kids, you know you want it. A demo machine for the latte art classes it was practically brand new and verry sexy. It was kind of strange dropping it off at the space. One lonely machine in a sea of torn up sheetrock and plumbing. We were both super phyched.

This trip kicked ass. It was concieved with coffee in mind but in the end was all about the people…everyone rocked. Special thanks to Terry, Dave, and Brian at EPNW for the tamper; it feels lovely and it’s Dave’s design…sweet. I have to get home. I miss my fiance, I miss working bar…come get some coffee crackers!

Portland…NWRBC…geeks

Greetings from the Pacific N.W.! As I sit here at the Annex on Belmont I am in somekind of a coffee heaven. I just cupped 9 coffees or so…most of them C.O.E. coffees including my new favorite of the week: Columbia Perla del Otun c.o.e. #1 -super sweet, juicy, caramel, but not super heavy; real nice, had one from Mr. Clover as well. Oh yeah: Panama Esmerelda, Guatemala finca el Injerto Bourbon Reserva c.o.e. #1, El Salvador los Planes c.o.e. #2…you know, just the usual stuff. suckers.

The competition was sweet too. Billy Wilson came through with an awesome sig. drink complete with little espresso caviars served on a faom bed. 3rd place: Kevin (Albina Press), 2nd place: John (Bumper Crop Coffee), 1st place: Billy (Albina Press). Kyle Larson from Stumptown also did an amazing job. I got the chance to talk with Kyle for a while and he’s a super nice guy…the best thing about his performance was that it was totally centered around the COFFEE. He used a s.o. El Injerto as his spro and rocked it hard core. Oh, and Tookie and I highjacked the 4th machine and cranked out plenty of spro and a few capps featuring Ritual Roasted s.o. Yirgacheffe. Not designed to be an espresso in any way but hey, you use what you got.

For the first time in a long time I get to actually go out for coffee. It’s so dope, all of the Stumptowns, Crema, Extracto, Albina Press, Lava Java, bla, bla, bla…people up here are spoiled. For the most part I don’t think they’re aware of how good they have it. It’s been so nice to have multiple options for quality espresso and all the baristas that have served me have really treated me kindly. A big thanks to all that have served me coffee in Portland…you cats kick ass.

Billy and Kevin threw and off the hook party at the press complete with beer on tap and 9 different coffees in 9 different grinders for an all out spro fest; an amazing sight for sure. The press seems to have their act together in a major way. Good shots all around, good people.

I’ve meet so many people this weekend it’s unreal, so much stuff going on…ahhhh. I’m gonna have to continue this later. Anyhow, tomorrow I go up to Seattle to do the latte art comp. and I haven’t poured a drink in a week! Oh well, we’ll see how it goes. Peace.

See you in the NW!

Allright. Sweet news on the coffee radar. Friday the 20th I’m flyin’ to P-town with Crystal and Matthew to join forces with Ryan, Liam, Tookie, and Eileen for the NWRBC…Ritual commin’ seven strong! Some of us will be judging and some (including myself) just watching to get the wheels turning for the WRBC. After my Ritual family goes back home I’m meeting up with some central valley cats to burn a trail to coffeefest Seattle. 12 days total from enrty to exit…I don’t think I’ve ever had a 12 day vacation. I’m looking forward to talking coffee with everyone up there and will be stoked to once again visit the Stumptown and the Albina Press along with so many others I have yet to see. If anyone reading this is planning on being up in the mix…I’ll see you there. Sauce.