Tandem Coffee Roasters

Subject: Tandem Coffee Roasters
Location visited: East Bayside, Portland, ME
Rating: 6+ [see key]

There are always a few roasters that seems to defy geography when it comes to wholesale accounts. Tandem Coffee Roasters became known to me over ten years ago (it might even be more) just in me visiting coffee shops nowhere near their home base in Maine. Having had a myriad of positive experiences with their beans, I put them on my list awhile ago to visit one fateful day.

Abracadabra Coffee Company

Subject: Abracadabra Coffee Company

Location: Woodstock, VT
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Just when I think that I've seen most of the many towns of Vermont, I come across a notable gem that somehow evaded me. Heading north to bask amidst the mountain landscapes in their summer glory, I managed to evade (most of) the hordes and found myself at a giant coffee barn in Woodstock.

The Parlour Tabletop and Tome

Subject: The Parlour
Location: Quakerstown, PA
Rating: 5+ [see key]

The old adage that it's important to live like a tourist in your own town is something I try to hearken unto in my travels. Having passed through Quakerstown many a time for work, it was refreshing to just visit so to check out a board game cafe reputed to serve good coffee.

Cannon Coffee

Subject: Cannon Coffee

Location visited: Downtown, Hagerstown, MD
Rating: 5+ [see key]

Driving through western Maryland one early afternoon, I (shockingly) had a strong hankering for some good coffee. Knowing that most shops shut down around 2 or 3 PM these days (how I miss the days of the evening coffeehouse culture), I managed to find a promising prospect in Hagerstown at a place called Cannon.

Omega Coffee

Subject: Omega Coffee
Location visited: Chambersburg, PA
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Passing by a coffee shop around 9 or 10 AM is my favorite time to hit a shop. Long after the rush hour hordes have come in, mid-morning usually offers a chance to catch the barista at the best level of quality. It's not a guarantee, but it seems to be the time I have the best fortune.