Mugged: Vista Alegre [Henry's]

What does Mugged mean?

Subject: Henry's House of Coffee 

Mugged: Vista Alegre (Brazil)

Rating: 3+ [see key]

When I get coffee, I like to look up the origin if the specific location is given. With the second coffee I had from Henry’s House of Coffee, I looked up the locale of Vista Alegre on the webs to try to get an idea where it hails from (Henry's site didn't have specifics). According to Coffee Review, there happens to be one estate of that name that has made it's name as an operation that dry processes their cherries by leaving them on the trees to dry (instead of drying post-harvest).

Curious as to whether Henry's Vista Alegre was such a coffee, I was interested to see what qualities the coffee would hold. Preparing it in the usual three methods of drip, french press and siphon, I commenced sipping.

The drip birthed a cup brimming full of tobacco with cloves, all spice, tootsie roll, rye, a little vanilla and a hint of lime; a smoky yet sweet coffee with a medium body.

The french press also held notes of cloves, tootsie roll and vanilla as well as a little sesame seed. While a little thicker, it was still sweet and tobacco-esque.

The siphon achieved higher levels of vanilla and a mellower profile, with smoother flavors of cloves, cocoa and vanilla.

Given that this coffee was roasted a bit dark, it was not surprising that there existed a cloves-centric presence, but fortunately it was decently balanced with the sweet aspects. The coffee didn't really produce the round fruitiness I would associate with dry processed coffee, but then again, maybe it's a different coffee if roasted lighter. Not my favorite Brazilian coffee but by no means my least. Give Henry’s Brazil a go if you’re looking for a darker coffee with nice compliments of sweet and smoky. 




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

CC: Kaladi Brothers

What does CC mean?

Subject: Kaladi Brothers Coffee 

Location: Anchorage, AK

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 4+ [see key]

If any coffee spot commands attention with the citizens of Anchorage, it seems Kaladi Brothers is king. With ten locations in Anchorage (as well as 4 outside the city limits), I am impressed with the amount of loyalty they have accrued to keep that many coffee locations working. 

Suffice it to say that my trip to Anchorage would remain incomplete without a stop at by one of their shops. While I had a coffee in passing at the New Sagaya coffee stand and a fair espresso at Cafe Ristretto (a cafe that utilizes Kaladi Bros beans), I made for the downtown location for a full evaluative experience. The outside happens to be bit stark (it's a round brick office building), but the inside was quite well decorated and laid out, with an assortment of colors, crystal chandeliers and all kinds of seating amidst the unique interior layout.

From the research I had done, Kaladi as a coffee roaster seems to stick to the older ways ("2nd wave"), aiming for darker roasts, not to mention has a curious method of storing their whole bean coffee in a fridge (at least downtown they do). For my beverages, I ordered an espresso (I did not catch the blend's name) and a drip of their Rwandan. The espresso, pulled medium with brown crema, displayed notes of tobacco, bitter cocoa, cabbage, oak, a little sugar and a wee bit of rhubarb; alas, it was a noticeably burnt and bitter with a heavy potency, but still fairly good. The Rwandan, labeled as a lighter roast, tasted more like a medium-dark roast with flavors of sweet oats, blackberry jam, vanilla, pear and slight almond in a medium-to-heavy body. As for a medium/dark roast, it was also fairly tasty. 

Given the roast level of both the espresso and the coffee, Kaladi did deliver a decent coffee experience (i.e. neither tasted that poorly despite the darkness). If you're into darker roasts or you just want to see what all the Anchorage-ians are drinking, give Kaladi Brothers a visit.

Mugged: Colombia [Henry's]

What does Mugged mean?

Subject: Henry's House of Coffee 

Mugged: Colombia Lite Roast

Rating: 4+ [see key]

While San Francisco is currently brimming with lots of new coffee talent, local coffee roasting is something that has been with the city for some time. Sure you have Peet's Coffee that originally launched in Berkeley many decades ago but there is also other roast operations such as Henry Kalebjian, who has been roasting in SF since 1965. 

Recently, his House of Coffee sent me out some coffee to sample, one of them their Colombia Lite Roast. I sampled it through drip, french press and siphon infusions. 

The drip delivered notes of milk chocolate,corn, raspberry, au jus, spinach, milky and a little wheat. A fairly tasty brew with a medium body.

The french press held flavors of corn, milk, cocoa, little wheat, romaine, fig and apple. Not as bright as the first cup but a little sweeter.

The siphon delivered corn, milk, cocoa, raspberry, au jus and spinach. This cup was good, though much more meaty with a little hint of iron.

Of the Colombians I've consumed, Henry roasts a pretty decent one with some delightful flavors. Give it a go, whether you're in town or ordering online.

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

CC: Asado Coffee Co

What does CC mean?

Subject: Asado Coffee Co

Location: Chicago, IL

Free WiFi ? : yes

Rating: 6+ [see key]

Back before smart phones, I landed in Chicago for a university conference and one night I determined to go for a walk. The weather was fair and I was feeling energetic, so taking in the fair sights of Chi-town, I kept walking in a straight line for some time. After a good 2 hours or so, I finally came to my senses and since I naively viewed public transportation as more of a headache than a time-saver, I had a long walk back. But I made the best of it, took a different route and made my way home to my room with burning feet and a nice walking tour of the city under my belt.

These days I rarely strut that far, but in all of my travels in Chicago, I occasionally stumble upon places that look familiar from my fabled long walk. One such place is Asado Coffee Co, a Chicago roaster that exists in a small, uniquely-colored shop on West Irving Park Rd. My last trip, not being as interested in it's hard shell as I was the gooey center, I stepped into a shop with tiled ceiling, green walls and a cozy-but-spacious use of space between seating, the counter and the roaster. 

As for my coffee, I ordered an espresso (I did not catch a unique name for the coffee used) and a pourover of their Ugandan. The espresso, pulled short/medium with light brown and blonde crema distributed a light yet punchy beverage with notes of ginger, cocoa, sweet milk and salt (a fine showing!). The pourover had notes of sweet molasses, salted pork, cocoa, fresh dill, a little elderflower and a medium body that all in all proved to shine as a delightful cup of coffee. 

Thus, if you're looking for some well-roasted coffee in Lakeview, give Asado Coffee a try. 

We have a winner!

We extend a hip hip huzzah to our "Win Excellent Coffee" winner Lindsay, and her favorite coffeehouse, Verve Coffee Roasters! Her husband is pictured on location above. 

We had several nice pictures sent in, so below are a few of the entries. Thanks to all for participating and keep an eye out for future contests!