Milwaukee Specialty Food and Coffee

Ristretto: Caribou Brazil Poco Fundo

-I may not even supposed to be posting this, as the terms and conditions of the affiliate link program that provides the Caribou ad you see to the right states that I'm to not make any "warranties or representations" about their product.  My excuse is that you can't order liquid brewed coffee over the web, so that can't be the "product."  In any event, I'm at the Caribou Coffee location in Mequon.  I'm having probably the most enjoyable experiences I've had in one of these stores, especially due to the two mugs of Brazil Poco Fundo I've enjoyed (note that refills are free here).  Caribou is roasting this coffee rather dark, but it works well.  This is my second Caribou visit this weekend to as many stores, and I have to note that I really enjoy their current piped-in music blend, and the moderate volume.

Ristretto: East Side/Riverwest: Alterra Humboldt

-Too hilarious not to post:
Rock Group Heart Condemn The Use of The Song Barracuda at The Republican Convention
Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart have informed the McCain/Palin Campaign that Universal Music Publishing and Sony BMG have sent a cease-and-desist notice to not use one of Heart's classic songs "Barracuda," as the congratulatory theme for Sarah Palin.
The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission.
"We have asked the Republican campaign not to use our music.

We hope our wishes will be honored."

Some might view Sarah Palin as appealing to those who feel sneered at by the "cultural elite" (see last night's Emmys), but evidently not even B-list celebrities want to be associated with the Republican ticket.

-Back to coffee: this week's Alterra coffee of the week is Kenya Tatu Peaberry.  What I find awesome is that though these beans are almost half again as expensive as standard Alterra coffees, they brew it in their cafes for no additional charge.

Mike is Intrigued. . .

I see from the Stone Creek Coffee blog that Victor Allen was a guest at Friday's cupping.  The mind positively reels!  Honestly, I'm hoping he didn't just happen to be in the neighborhood.  I really enjoyed the Victor Allen coffee I had up in Shawano, and I think it would be great if either Victor simply rubbed off on Stone Creek (lighter roasts) or something more collaborative came about.

Retail Coffee: Racine Danish Kringle

The following press release is courtesy of Racine Danish Kringle's Tom Reuteman:

Racine Danish Kringle is proud to announce their very own Gourmet Roast coffees.  These coffees will be offered through online purchases (www.kringle.com) and through their fund raising division only.  Offerings include : House Blend reg & decaf, Colombian Supremo and Dark Roast.  We believe that these coffees are a natural compliment to our 26 delicious flavors of Kringles.

We hope to have all our coffees available for sale on-line by September 1st.  Check us out at www.kringle.com.

Ristretto: More Metropolis

-My day began with the cupping nirvana alluded to in my Twitter tweet--Metropolis' Samba blend.   If there was any doubt as to whether yesterday's goose chase was worthwhile, it was eliminated.  The Yelp discussion of Metropolis gives you a pretty accurate feel for the place.  I don't think it accurately captures the quality of customer service, though, so I'll probably chime in.  When I called for directions to get me the last mile there, the woman who answered the phone was extremely polite.  Even I, in my jobs, have had a hard time concealing irritation when giving out such repetitive information.  Wisely, the friendly voice was in the back room or wherever the phone is answered, as the baristas were straight from central casting, i.e. not necessarily impolite, but not not remarkably polite either.  Casting is not an inappropriate word, as there is indeed a good deal of casting involved here.  After all, if I walked into a coffee shop and saw Dolly Parton behind the machine, my hopes of receiving a triple ristretto God shot would not exactly increase.  Y'all come back now, y'hear?

Ristretto: July 16, 2008

-My staple coffee these days is Eight O'Clock 100% Colombian, which goes for $3.98 per 12-oz. bag at Wal-Mart.  I find that to be not only a Good Deal, but an incredible deal.  (Sorry, they had the stock rotated in reverse order, so I've snapped up the freshest bags.)  It blends well with whatever pricey coffee I happen to have around.

-Ealier, I tried a bag of the Wal-Mart Fair Trade Espresso Blend, which costs two bucks more and is, in my opinion, thoroughly awful.  Its taste announced itself on my palate with a distinct thud.

Starbucks Eats Humble Pie

Last Wednesday The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer aired a report about Starbucks’ recent sales and stock woes on the heels of the announcement that the java corp would be closing 600 stores.

While the report is riddled with tired coffee metaphors, it's still worth watching the streaming video for a glimpse of CEO Howard Schultz's meek and modest address to stockholders.

Link

As the Economy Goes, So Goes 600 Starbucks

I've been so distracted by the whole content "unpublishing" kerfuffle over at Boing Boing--believe me, it's incredibly entertaining, what with all the accusations of hypocrisy and censorship a flyin'--that I nearly forgot to inform y'all of a small bit of specialty coffee news: Starbucks is closing 600 stores nationwide.

That's right, boys and girls, the java giant is taking down its shingle at 600 US stores, more than half of which have only been open since the kickoff of fiscal 2006. No locations have been announced yet, but I suggest all you 'Bucks baristas update your resumés and quick.

Link

Coffee Nerds at Intelligentsia, Part 2

The folks over at Boing Boing have posted Part 2 of Mark Frauenfelder’s visit to Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea's roasting facility in Los Angeles. Kyle Glanville takes him through the process of making the perfect espresso with Mark’s own machine and gives a step-by-step tutorial in brewing with a vacuum pot.

Watch a super cool coffee nerd in action.

Get Your Opera-Infused Java Tonight

Alterra Coffee has just started its Summer Concert Series and members of the Florentine Opera will perform outside at Alterra at the Lake tonight. The concerts are totally free and begin at 7PM.

What could be better than an aria and a latte? Not much, except maybe a Flamenco guitar solo and a sangría.

Link