Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Stacks Espresso




Subject: Stacks Espresso
Location Visited: 260 Lark St, Albany, NY
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

Though Albany has been the crossroads for many trips, it has not always been a dependable area for great coffee. Fortunately, the city is growing its cafe culture and establishments of repute have taken root in the capital city. One such business is Stacks Espresso, a shop with two locations in the city, one of which happened to be not far out of my way on a trip going north.



Finding their Lark St location quite easily, I parked on a cross street and made my way in. The shop is set-up with a two room system: an open front containing a cozy seating area, and in the back, a giant 3-sided bar. 

The coffee comes from a couple different roasters, including such fine purveyors as Brandywine, Anodyne and Barrington. That sunny morning, I went with an Anodyne Nicaragua for pourover and an espresso of a Rwandan from Brandywine. The espresso, pulled short/medium with brown crema, trumpeted out notes of red wine, toasted fresh bread, chocolate nibs, lemon peel, cilantro and a little sweet corn, making for a sweet, flavorful infusion with pleasant tartness. The pourover also proved delicious, with notes honey apple, coffee cake, cream, blackberry, romaine, almond and a little grape.


After polishing off my coffee and getting to know the baristas, I made my way out of Stacks quite satisfied with my experience. If you're heading through Albany or live nearby, definitely hit either their Lark St or the newer downtown location for some amazing coffee.



These wonderful folks made this visit possible in part. Make sure to check them out!

1 comment:

Carrie J leonard said...

Okey Please don't i cant figure where it exactly is. As you said that it is a place where people take a transit. is it in the gas station?