Dirtbean

Part of the Fill in the Coffee Map Series

Subject: Dirtbean
Location: Marlinton, WV
WiFi?: yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]

Sometimes local roads are the only way to see the country. I know far too many people that cling to the interstate highway, choosing travel expediency over more scenic routes, yet it's often this misguided prioritization that leaves local gems undiscovered and unique beauty overlooked.
 

One of my favorite such trips full of roadside gems was traveling local roads from Talcott (home of John Henry) up to Elkins, West Virginia. The day journey turned up bucolic majesty, hiking trails and a gas station lunch counter with biscuits and gravy that make my mouth water even now (it was shortly after leaving Talcott; I think it was called Lowell Market). As far as coffee, while not many coffeeshops reside off the beaten path, I did manage to find a lone oasis called Dirtbean.

Located in lovely Marlinton, Dirtbean sits in a large brick building very reminiscent of an old general store. Inside, the vaulted space has a chic yet bohemian charm, with a nice mixture of polish and mismatched furniture. 

As for coffee, they use a roaster called Williamsburg Coffee (out of Williamsburg, VA I believe). After some brief talk with the barista, I settled upon an espresso of their espresso blend and a pour over of a Costa Rica single origin. The espresso, pulled long with brown crema, tasted of chocolate, vanilla, cream, corn chip and a touch of horseradish, proving sweet and spicy. The pour over made for a smoother brew, full of nougat, cola, wheat, cascara, pear, malt and croissant in a light/medium body. 

After spending a little time refueling my battery, I had more ground to cover and so I jumped back in the car and continued north. If you happen to be in the area, definitely check out lovely Marlinton and grab a cup of coffee from Dirtbean. 

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