Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Mugged: White Tale Coffee


Subject: White Tale Coffee
Coffees Mugged and Rating [see key]:
- La Mirella Costa Rica 5+
- Orestes Kenya 6+

Years ago, coffee was only fleetingly associated with the regions it was grown. Sure the geography was identified with such stamps as "100% Colombian" or "The Taste of Hawaii" but rarely were the farmers given more recognition than the small wage they received for their beans. Today, coffee roasters have strived to not only give the coffee farmers their fair recognition, but also the best wage through the establishment of (more) direct relationships. One such roaster out of Colorado that prides itself on telling the whole story is White Tale Coffee.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Mugged: Guatemala and Nicaragua [Coda Coffee]



Subject: Coda Coffee Co.
Coffee Mugged: Guatemala Batzchocola and Nicaragua Bella Aurora
Rating [see key]: both 5+

Colorado has been in the news a ton lately, sadly not much of it super positive. But one chipper piece that caught my ear came from the heralds of Roast Magazine, when they recently bestowed upon Denver's Coda Coffee Company the honor of 2014 Macro Roaster of the Year. Not a title given away flippantly, it's a distinction that recognizes Coda for it's hard work and accomplishments (I'm particularly impressed with the coffee carts in the Arizona Cardinals stadium).

Recently, I was honored to have two of their farm 2 cup coffees stop by my abode to spend a little quality time in my belly. They sent out their Guatemala Batzchocola, a coffee from the A'achimbal community, and their Nicaragua Bella Aurora, a former Cup of Excellence coffee. Both I sampled via pourover, french press and siphon.

Going alphabetically, I started with the Guatemalan beans. The pourover smacked of kavo syrup, smoked peanut, strawberry, oats, sarsaparilla and hazelnut with a medium body, proving multifaceted with a various sweet flavors and touch of smokiness. The french press contained smoked peanut, Nutella, strawberry, oats, root beer and caramel popcorn within a medium body; superbly sweet, with rich, sultry flavors. The siphon capped this fine coffee off with hazelnut, roasted peanuts, asian pear, lemon pepper, chicken, spinach and root beer, demonstrating some odd bed fellows but nonetheless, still a sumptuous coffee.

The Nicaraguan proved similarly complex. The pourover doled out heavy chocolate, habenero, smooth cream, seaweed, toasted walnut and noticeable fig. The french press sampled of chocolate, grapefruit, bran, corn tortilla, skim milk and nutmeg, with a medium body and grainy aftertaste. The siphon bellowed out chocolate, noticeable cream, seaweed, peanuts, fig cookie, slight brocolli and biscuit. Overall, the multiple infusions held a diverse and sometimes odd harmony of flavors, but each cup proved delicious.

Thus, if you happen to be near a coffeehouse that serves Coda or you wish to shop online, try out the orange juggernaut of the southwest.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.  

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Mugged: Ethiopian Yirg [Coda]



Subject: Coda Coffee Company
Mugged: Ethiopian Yirgacheffe
Rating [see key]: 5+


When I was out in Colorado, I was impressed by the reach of Coda Coffee Company. Out around the country I had not heard a whole lot about them but in Colorado, I found them in almost every town I stopped at.

Coming back east, I was fortunate enough to receive an offer to try out their Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. Having had good experience with them amidst the purple mountains majesty of Colorado, I accepted, infusing the coffee in my pourover, Espro Press and siphon.

The pourover demonstrated a multifaceted cup of dark cocoa, buttermilk biscuit, raspberry, pear, romaine lettuce and nutmeg amidst a medium body. Sweet and bright with a pinch of wheat.

The Espro Press created a similar cup, brimming with dark cocoa, raspberry, cherry, nutmeg, buttermilk biscuit and slight spiny melon within a medium body.

The last brew of siphon was the smoothest of the three. Full of chocolate milk, buttermilk biscuit, cherry, pear, nutmeg, tarragon and pronounced spiny melon, the brew had a lighter, medium body with a creamier and more distinctly wheaty profile.

Thus, if you seek a smooth Ethiopian with lots of cocoa and fruit, Coda's Ethiopian Yirgacheffe is a fine candidate. Check out their website or stop by one of the many shops around Colorado to give the coffee a go.

note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Friday, May 31, 2013

CC: The Cup


Subject: The Cup Espresso Cafe
Location: Boulder, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

A coffeehouse that does not encourage congregating is one doomed to failure. Sure places like drive-thrus survive solely as a grab-and-go, but that seems to be the exception. Even if people rarely sit and talk, all folks desire access to an inviting cafe to gather for friendly discourse.

In the lovely town of Boulder, The Cup Espresso Cafe seemed to be the prime spot for the hordes to meet. Open 7 AM - 10 PM daily, the place was genuinely hopping the night I swung by. As the air was warm and the patio doors wide open, both the inside and out were abuzz with patrons. Inside, the many high top tables sat amidst a very brightly lit room, with laptops and small posses dotting the landscape.

The coffee comes from Conscious Coffees, Roast's 2011 Roaster of the Year. For my evening beverages, I ordered an espresso of the Espresso Mantecca and a drip of their Ethiopian Sidamo. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, held notes of curry, cocoa, vanilla, pound cake, nutmeg and a little rosemary, proving pleasantly sweet, full and spicy. The Ethiopian smacked of raspberry, malt, licorice, marble rye, sage and sunflower seeds, demonstrating a medium-heavy body with a thick, malty flavor dominating.

In the end, I found The Cup to be a nice spot for an evening meet-up or a late cup of joe. The only detraction I found was that I found my drip of Ethiopian a bit to thick and astringent for my tastes, but even that minor aspect did little to dampen an otherwise ticklish overall coffee experience. Delay not in giving The Cup a visit at their lovely Pearl Street location.


Friday, May 24, 2013

CC: Yeti's Grind



Subject: Yeti's Grind
Location: Vail, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]

If you're looking for a breathtaking highway drive, take I-70 through western Colorado. Few roads are so beautifully boxed in by gorgeous mountain scenery on practically all sides. One opportune stop along the route sits the tourist-centered town of Vail, a must for a mountain sportsman or alpine naturalist.

Stopping by one evening for a bite to eat, I had located a possible coffee house of promise called Yeti's Grind. Parking in one of the many parking garages, I located the shop on the ground floor of a large resort facing an open courtyard and soccer field. The recessed shop offers a nice patio for all types of weather, as the balcony above provides a nice exterior roof. The inside of the shop emanates an enticing aura, with a worn wooden plank bar, spacious variety of seating and open windows.

The coffee comes from local Colorado roaster City on a Hill Coffee and Espresso and on the occasion of my visit, both the espresso and the drip were of their House Blend. Pulled long with a tannish-brown crema, the espresso smacked of vanilla, pretzel, caramel, a bit of chives and some sassafras, and while the shots were pulled a bit too long for my liking, the flavor was still pretty delicious. The drip's profile proved a bit brighter and a tad heavier, with notes of malt, spinach, pink lemonade, corn tortilla and a smidgen of cloves.

All together, Yeti's Grind stood firm on its big hairy feet as an establishment worth the stop for a decent cup of coffee and espresso. If you happen to be in Vail for vacation or a quick rest stop, make your way over to Yeti's Grind.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

CC: Fluid Coffee Bar



Subject: Fluid Coffee Bar
Location: Denver, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

I've sat through many meetings in my life and a sad hallmark of the majority have been dreary locations and coffee not worth drinking. Quite often in these meetings I quietly wished that my surroundings were that of a vibrant, energetic space with easy access to great coffee.

Thankfully, my hopes were shared. In my past travels, I've found numerous coffee establishments that have constructed private meeting spaces within their borders that allow the average gaggle of folks to assemble in an electrifying space within mere feet of great coffee. In my travels around Denver, I found one such coffeehouse called the Fluid Coffee Bar. Located beneath Uptown Square Apartments, I had caught wind of the place due to its reputation of serving a good cup of Novo Coffee. The space inside is split into the normal cafe, with its vaulted ceilings and comfy seating, and the large wood tables and projector of the rentable meeting space off to the back.

Not in need of a meeting that day, I chose to ingest an espresso of Ojo de Agua and a clover of the Colombian San Sebastian. The espresso, pulled short-to-medium with a light brown crema, held notes of lime, seltzer, hibiscus, sugar, cocoa and rock salt, proving bright, zesty and sweet. The Colombian also triumphed in quality, smacking of molasses, pecan, multigrain bread, granola, fig and a little basil all within a light body.

All in all, Fluid fluidly delivered great coffee and hosts what seems like a great spot to congregate. If you happen to be in need of a meeting space in Denver or just a good cup of coffee, check out the Fluid Coffee Bar.


Sunday, May 05, 2013

CC: The Pour House




Subject: The Pour House
Location: Dillon, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]


Most great coffee exists in cities. If you're a city dweller, that's a great thing; if you're confined to suburbia or rural lands, it can be tumultuous. Sadly, in my travels great coffee seldom appears in small towns and hamlets.

But when it does, it's a cause of excitement. While I was on the road in Colorado, I came across a place called the Pour House in Dillon. Located a bit off the main track in a small, rustically-chic shopping center, the Pour House was a perfect stop for me before I hit the road. Walking inside, the decor is much more traditional, with great local art, colorful walls and a nice airiness about the space.

The coffee comes from Colorado's Elevation Coffee Traders, a new roaster to me that I had heard little of prior. I ordered an espresso (blend unnamed) and a drip of an Ethiopian light roast. The espresso, pulled medium/long with a thick brown crema in a really hot cup, held notes of tobacco, milk chocolate, lime rind, a little cream and light bits of paper; a fair pull of a dark-noted coffee with decent sweet notes. The Ethiopian by contrast was light and fluffy, purveying blueberry, scone, peanut, sesame and butter within a light body, proving overall richly flavorful.

While my espresso was not the greatest, my overall experience was nothing "pour." If you're in town or in need of a good coffee stop off Rt 6 or I-70, make a stop at the Pour House.

Monday, April 29, 2013

CC: Metropolis Coffee



Subject: Metropolis Coffee
Location: Denver, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Back in 2007, I had a road trip planned through Denver and naturally, had a list of coffeehouses to hit. Sadly, because of time lost during that fabled road trip, I only made it to one place outside of Denver (Calders Coffee right during their last few days of operation). Additionally, since my scrapbooking stinks, I don't recall all of the spots I had hoped to patronize in Colorado...save one: Denver's Metropolis Coffee. I remember it solely because Metropolis Coffee of Chicago was also on my list, and unlike the Denver Metropolis, I was able to hit Metropolis Chicago (note that the two Metropolises are unrelated).

But finally, after many long years, I was able to hit Metropolis Coffee of Denver at their Golden Triangle location. Sitting in the corner retail space of a swanky apartment building, Metropolis' interior consisted of vaulted ceilings, deep red walls and tons of window space surrounding a nice assortment of seating.

As for coffee, they serve up Herkimer Coffee out of Seattle. While visiting, I ordered an espresso of what I believe was the Espresso Blend (my notes do not name it but my memory recalls it so) and a drip of a Kenyan. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, proved sweetly delicious with notes of rock candy, semisweet chocolate, a little salt, a bit of bourbon and sassafras. The drip of the Kenyan purveyed notes of strawberry, barley, tomato, sugar cookie and a little parsley, a coffee proving light and succulent.

While I am not a fan of waiting, Metropolis Coffee of Denver was well worth it. If you're in town, make sure to stop by this Denver gem.


Sunday, April 21, 2013

CC: Kava Cafe



Subject: Kava Cafe
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 4+ [see key]


There's something about old wood buildings that makes me chipper. Maybe it's my love of spaghetti westerns or maybe it's the rustic feel of days past, but no matter my impetus, it is also quite the trend in many places to set up shop in old barns or bungalows.

One town that is full of such spiffy-looking digs is Breckenridge, Colorado. Walking down and around the main thoroughfares you are bound to see some intriguing constructs, ranging from salons to outfitters. One particular establishment that caught my eye for it's character also drew my gaze for the contents: a small shop slinging small donuts and coffee called Kava Cafe.

Though I had heard word about their great small donuts, I had not heard anything of their coffee. Looking inside their shack, I noticed they purvey Coda Coffee out of Denver, and having had fair experience with them prior, I gave Kava's coffee a try. For espresso, I had the Harmony blend and for the drip I had their Sumatra. The espresso, pulled somewhat long with thick blondish-brown crema, held potent notes of pepper and cinnamon within a bitter dark bite with not much else for flavor (alas, not the best espresso I've ever had). The Sumatra on the flip side was one of the better Sumatran coffees I've sampled in recent memory, with notes of honey, apple juice, caramel and nutmeg amidst a smooth, well-balanced, medium body.

While I can't boast of the espresso service that I had, it's plausible I hit the barista at a bad time. But even so, Kava still seems like a great spot on the main drag of Breck for a good cup of drip and some great, freshly-made donuts. Give it a try if you're in town.


Sunday, April 14, 2013

CC: Ozo Coffee



Subject: Ozo Coffee Roasters
Location: Boulder, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


Some time ago when I was running a contest on my readers' favorite coffeehouses, someone submitted Ozo Coffee Roasters in Boulder. Not too familiar with the entity, the reader who claimed them as favorite was quite persuasive in their praise. So persuasive in fact that the next time I found some time in Boulder, I made a priority stop at their Pearl St. location.

Standing as one of three locations, the Pearl St. Ozo seems to be a well-loved fixture in the area. Walking inside, the place was packed with vibrant patrons stretching the length of the long, earth toned shop. The counter was a beast in itself, with two identical espresso machines (Synesso Cyncras I believe) and an army of baristas.

As for coffee, Ozo roasts their own, and thus I had an espresso of their Espresso 2012 and a pourover of their Peru Kikara. The espresso, pulled to a medium volume with brown crema, struck chords of blood orange, cocoa, oatmeal and ginger with a pinch of salt and oregano, overall hammering out a splendid spro with slightly astringent notes. The pourover reminded me of a German feast, with notes of hefeweizen, apple, challah, a little date and minor grilled chicken; a sweet and wheaty coffee with hearty undertones.

After spending some additional time soaking in the atmosphere, I could easily see why someone would vote Ozo as an all-time favorite. When you're in town, stop by Ozo Coffee Roasters for a great cup of coffee.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

CC: The Hub Coffee and Cones



Subject: The Hub Coffee and Cones
Location: Grand Lake, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 5+ [see key]


Rocky Mountain National Park is easily one of the most breathtaking parks in our fair nation. Tons of gorgeous mountain terrain, breathtaking vistas and plenty of wildlife make it a nature lover's Never Never Land. When I made my first visit there, I sadly certainly did not allot enough time to see all that I had hoped and was left like a child made to leave Chuck E Cheese before getting a chance to bury himself alive in the ball pit.

But on the way out, my entourage and I stopped in the lovely town of Grand Lake for some dinner and coffee prior to a 2 hour drive back to our base camp. We found a delicious evening meal of rocky mountain oysters and bbq at the Sagebrush BBQ and Grill but a couple different internet searches for coffee in the town made our hopes for evening joe bleak. Fortunately while we were driving down Grand Avenue, we spotted a place called Hub Coffee and Cones with a spacious patio in a cabin-like structure. Knowing little of what to expect, we walked through the metal patio furniture, up the porch and inside to a nicely arrayed venue of red and black that sported a decent amount of chic interior furniture and local art.

Turns out the coffee comes from reputed Denver roaster Coda Coffee Company, a fairly popular choice in the central CO region. I ordered an espresso of the Notorious Espresso Blend and from their legion of pump pots, a drip of their Mexican. The Mexican, a light roast with a medium body, doled out notes of milk chocolate, green tea, apple and sassafras; a sweet coffee with a root-ish quality. The espresso, pulled short/medium with a brownish-blonde crema, spoke of lemon, a little chocolate, salt, some spinach, lavender and a touch of cardboard; not the best shot but still pretty good. Also, as the name indicates, they serve a nice variety of ice cream.

After finishing up our short respite before embarking back onto the open road, I left the Hub happy to have randomly found a coffee oasis in an area with few great coffee options. If you're on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park and in need of a good cup of coffee, hit up the Hub Coffee and Cones.


Sunday, March 17, 2013

CC: Crema Coffee House



Subject: Crema Coffee House
Location: Denver, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


One sunny Denver morning, I had the delightful luxury of taking it slow and having a lackadaisical coffee stop before starting my day. Given my geography at the time, I set my sights on a local establishment with an effervescent reputation, Crema Coffee House.

Sitting in a black brick building on a corner lot, Crema has a unique exterior with a lot of sleek design elements that pull forward your eyes to its existence. Inside, the place reverberates with a stylish yet efficiently purposed space, complete with a chandelier, lots of natural light and some interesting art.

Their coffee is as copious as it comes, with numerous roasters on hand such as Counter Culture, Novo, Boxcar, Herkimer and Dogwood. That morning, I had an espresso from Herkimer (their Espresso Blend I believe) and a french press of a Colombian from Novo. The espresso, pulled short with a brown crema, held notes of dark cocoa, a little clove, light sugar, a bit of ginger and a smoky finish, all of which combined to form a sweet and balanced infusion. The Colombian doled out a delicious light-medium bodied brew that smacked of wheat, pear, black tea, banana nut muffin and broth.

All together (now!), Crema provided great coffee, great service and wonderful ambiance; I couldn't have chosen a better spot to start off my slow day. If you're in or around Denver, give Crema your patronage.


Monday, January 28, 2013

CC: Boxcar Coffee Roasters


Subject: Boxcar Coffee Roasters
Location: Boulder, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]

It's not every day that a coffee operation boasts of having a unique means of coffee brewing to offset environmental variables, but when it does, you know it's gonna be an interesting day.

One sleepy Sunday morning, my wife, son and I made our way over to Boulder's Boxcar Coffee Roasters situated a little east on Pearl St of the mall. Since it was early, the street and subsequently the store were slow but that allowed for a little more interaction than usual with the passionate barista. The shop itself exists as a beautiful marriage of Boxcar and a fancy cheese and meat market called Cured, both complimenting the other in the space and providing a great convenience to patrons as well.


Back to the coffee, in talking with the barista he informed me that due to altitude they concocted a special means of brewing their coffee to make it come out perfectly (mainly the water goes to 203 F), and thus have dubbed it "cowboy coffee." Being easily intrigued, I settled on a Brazil SO via the cowboy coffee method and an espresso of their Stella Espresso blend. The espresso, pulled short with brown crema, bucked with ginger, chocolate, sweet molasses, fresh bread, a little lavender and some salt; a delicious and robust 'spro. The Brazilian cowboy coffee proved mellow, with notes of honey, saison, croissant, nutmeg and cashew, wholly enveloping me in a sweet, wheaty and nutty ballad.

After spending a bit of time relaxing at a corner table, we walked out greatly sated with the experience. If you're in Boulder, choo choo choose Boxcar for a coffee stop.


Friday, December 21, 2012

CC: Cuppa Joe



Subject: Cuppa Joe
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


In looking for a relaxing mountain respite, I had heard from distant family that in the mountains of Colorado exists a delightful little town called Breckenridge, home to gorgeous sunny trails and numerous winter slopes. Recently, I was able to make it into town for a few days and although I twisted my ankle hiking the nearby beautiful mountains, the rest of the experience was grand.

One of the great benefits of the town was that they had local, good coffee. One spot in particular became my favorite, a 2nd floor cafe called Cuppa Joe located a little off the main street but within easy walking distance of almost everything. The coffeehouse had a few seats outside on their porch but inside existed plenty of room, with a well-arranged assortment of furniture, local art and pleasant lighting.

As for the joe, they serve Novo Coffee out of Denver. After conversing with the barista, she recommended the Guatemala La Providencia via Chemex and I also ordered an espresso of Espresso Novo. The chemex-ed Guatemalan proved sweet, with notes of pound cake, vanilla icing and pear, as well as a bit of cashew and beef broth; an overall delicious coffee with a medium body. The espresso, pulled short-to-medium with light brown crema, delivered a nice citrus zing, some vanilla, basil, cola, dark cocoa and rye, rounding out to be a slightly bright and thoroughly ambrosial infusion.   

Cuppa Joe proved to be a great, frequent stop in town, whether I was staying to enjoy the cafe or taking the coffee to go. If you have the pleasure of visiting Breckenridge, stop by Cuppa Joe for a some great coffee.


Sunday, November 04, 2012

CC: Happy Coffee



Subject: Happy Coffee
Location: Denver, CO
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


If I were to move away from the ocean, it would be to a place like Denver. Somehow, the balance of mountains and dozens of great coffee spots easily compensates for the distance from a true oceanic shoreline. 

One coffeehouse that would add to my enticement is Happy Coffee. A local establishment that sits pretty on a corner location on Broadway, they provide great coffee from various coffee roasters like Four Barrel and Heart. One sunny morning, my entourage (the family, an old friend and I) made our way over to the coffeehouse early enough to beat the crowds and have the place to ourselves. The windows gave a spacious feel amidst the minimalist yet warm interior, with the coffee bar smack in the middle giving an air of performance, with the array of seating surrounding as a chic gladiator arena.

As for my coffee, I ordered an espresso of Four Barrel's Friendo Blendo and a pourover of a Heart Guatemalan (a Palencia I believe). The espresso, pulled short with a brown swirled crema, spoke of lemon, sugar, salt, cream and dark cocoa, all harmoniously dancing together to form a delicious alliance. The pourover also rocked, giving notes of wheat, apple juice, cascara, curried broth and vanilla; a pleasantly juicy and complex cup great for AM sipping. 

At the risk of sounding cliche', Happy Coffee deftly lived up to its name. If you happen to be in Denver or close by, stroll down for a great coffee experience.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Mugged: Singletrack [Rocky Mountain Roastery]


Mugged: Singletrack
Rating: 3+ [see key






Whether it's all of the Coors Light ads that aired during my childhood or just my love for mountains, I always wanted to live somewhere like Colorado. Sure, I did live in beautiful Bozeman, Montana for almost a year, but my short stint there only made said desire more prominent. I believe it's the laid back atmosphere, the crisp air and the mountains that hold their sway over me.

Thus, when I receive a product from a place in the western mountains, my oregon trail desires rear up and I picture myself sitting on a rustic porch made of fresh timber, breathing in the mountain air and enjoying the nice weather. This is especially true of good coffee, as there's nothing like a delicious cup of coffee amidst mountainous views.

But in receiving a pound of coffee from Rocky Mountain Roastery to objectively review, I wasn't sure what to expect as I had not really heard too much of them. Located in beautiful Fraser/Winter Park, Colorado, Rocky Mountain Roastery seems to have a wide variety of coffees on their website, ranging from light to really dark. I got to sample their Singletrack Blend, a "full bodied" coffee (I found the coffee fairly dark in roast), via drip (filter), french press and siphon infusions and here is what I got.

The drip produced deep notes of peanut, molasses, bitter herbs, tobacco and a little vanilla within a medium body.

My cup of the french press held similar notes of peanut, pepper, molasses, tobacco and vanilla in a similar body.

The siphon held much stronger notes of tobacco, peanut and pepper but had a super sweet honey flavor as well as hints of vanilla and orange amidst a light/medium body.

Overall, I found the coffee had a little too much bitter flavors (tobacco & pepper) but there were some nice sweet flavors as well as a tinge of nuttiness. I might really like this coffee it were roasted a little lighter.

Thus, while I can't say I would pick this particular coffee over others for a nice, relaxing mountain retreat, I wouldn't turn it down either. Give Rocky Mountain Roastery's Singeltrack a try if you're looking for a sweet dark coffee.


note: coffee was provided free of charge and the above review is objective feedback.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mugged: Hartmann Honey [Novo Coffee]

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What does "Mugged" mean?


Subject:
Novo Coffee
Coffees Mugged: Hartmann Honey
Rating:
5+ [see key]




S
ome time ago, when I was heading through Colorado on a bit of a cross country road trip, I stopped south of Denver to stay with a friend in Littleton. Prior to my arrival, I asked him if there were any things to do in Denver, as I had a few hours to kill, to which he assured me there was no reason to set foot into Denver, and Boulder would be a better use of my time.

Looking back now, I am glad I got to see Boulder but in skipping Denver, I bypassed going to Novo Coffee (instead I picked another spot on my list that sadly ended up closing soon after).

Thus I will visit Novo's cafe one day but for now, I'll settle for distant encounters with their coffee east of the Mississippi. One such occasion was on a recent partially compensated GoCoffeeGo order (this is the 2nd of the 3 coffees to be reviewed), whence I received 3/4 lb of Hartmann Honey, a coffee from Volcan, Panama that looked very enticing.

I received the coffee fairly quickly (3-4 days) and dove right in, subjecting it to three different styles of infusion: french press, drip and siphon. I pressed it first, finding to my astonishment that the coffee actually had a strong taste of honey (most coffees only offer hints of such flavor), more akin to a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios (it even had whole grain sweetness!), as well as little fig and a light body.

The drip turned out much lighter, this time with less honey, more nut (like peanuts) and with a stronger, wheaty/grassy sweetness coupled with a bit of dark cocoa.

The vacuum pot produced a little more nuttiness in the front of the cup, still the noticeable honey similar to the drip (i.e. still had the honey nut cheerio taste) and minor facets of wheat grass. A little heavier body was produced.

While I know that this coffee is no longer offered by Novo or GoCoffeeGo (sometimes GoCoffeeGo has different coffees than the roaster offers), Novo does have a coffee from Volcan (as of today, at least) that seems similar to this. If said coffee produces such a quality brew as Hartmann Honey, I would strongly recommend a purchase.