Milwaukee Specialty Food and Coffee

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.

Ristretto: September 21, 2008

-Stone Creek Coffee's New Fall/Winter Wholesale catalog features their revamped Green Bike Espresso.

-Not to harp on Open Pantry, but this has to be the most clueless thing I've read on the Internet in some time.  I'm referring to this section:

Thanks to the inviting, casually elegant décor of the new Open Pantry convenience stores, your average working mom can sample the sort of ambiance typically found in bistros and martini bars, each time she darts in to buy a gallon of milk, a cup of coffee or a candy bar. 

Yep, most working women I know do nothing but go to bistros and martini bars.  Bistro. . .martini bar. . .bistro. . .martini bar. . .bistro.  Equally entertaining is comparing Open Pantry to such establishments.  I think the guy sitting at the counter who looks like an axe murderer detracts from the bistro atmosphere a little.  Or is he a meurtrier de hache?

Ristretto: September 17, 2008

-Alterra's Panama La Torcaza continues to please.  They're selling it at a good price, and I note tonight that the estate itself has a really nice and informative website.

Ristretto: September 9, 2008

-Please welcome Kristine Hansen, co-author of the The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coffee and Tea, as the latest Contributing Author to the site.

-Apparently, the major local media feature on this blog is scheduled to be published on September 24th.

Ristretto: September 8, 2008

-Today, I was contacted by a columnist for a major local media outlet which will soon be featuring this site.

-I'm at Alterra on Humboldt enjoying the coffees of the day.  Today saw a rare occasion: a variety I don't much care for, the Honduras Capucas (http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/single/honduras_capucas/).  I want to emphasize that there's absolutely nothing wrong with this coffee or the way it's brewed.  It's just not to my taste.  In fact, I'm glad I had it, as it will allow me to establish a frame of reference in navigating my way through the world of coffee.  Also, I can tell that while I don't care for the Honduras on it's own, it would be a great coffee in blends.  Conversely, the Decaf Dream Harder is right up my alley.

Ristretto: Weekend Roundup

-I'm just returning from Shawano, WI, where over the weekend I had the pleasure of two visits to Beans & Books Coffee House (no, I didn't just go for that).  I was pleased as punch with the service and quality, though I only sampled a couple cups of the Victor Allen's House Blend.  It was extraordinary in that it was the first time in a while I've been taken aback at how good of drip coffee I purchased in a cafe was, especially in a to-go cup.

Ristretto: East Side/Riverwest: Alterra Humboldt

The Guatemala Asobagri continues to amaze. For my money, this has everything you could want from a drip coffee, most notably a bold presence in the mouth, of the kind you can otherwise obtain only chewing coffee beans. The drip coffee of the week always seems so much better when you drink it here on Humboldt.

Ristretto: East Side/Riverwest: Alterra Humboldt

I'm at Alterra Humboldt enjoying a cup of the Traditional Mocha Java, which unfortunately will cease to be the coffee of the week after tonight, but will continue to be available at Alterra's online store by clicking the link.  It's probably the best drip coffee they've offered as a daily brew for a month or more.

Ristretto: Nearly Freegan at Beans & Barley

-My new laptop couldn't be coming too soon (tomorrow night).  I'm at Kinko's at Brady & Farwell, for Pete's sake, the official Armpit of the World.  For my 20 cents a minute, I get to sit here and ingest the faint smell of vomit.  Anyway, I've just come from Beans & Barley, which has a great variety of cheap, fresh, high-quality food in both the cold case and bakery and other miscellaneous items (tucked away in the far southeast corner of the store).

Ristretto: August 19, 2008

-Due to the need to be workin' for a livin', I've fallen behind with posts.  Though I don't see the light in the tunnel quite yet, I have a new laptop already lined up.