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.

CC: Empire Espresso Bar

Subject: Empire Espresso Bar
Location: Seattle, WA
Free WiFi ? : yes
Rating: 6+ [see key]


One brisk morning south of downtown Seattle, I found a great prospect for morning coffee in the Empire Espresso Bar. Situated in a sleek brick building within the Columbia City neighborhood, Empire seemed to have the all the trappings of a worthwhile destination: a good reputation and Kuma Coffee. 

Inside the cafe is cozy with an intimate layout allowing for maximum seating and close proximity to a team of chipper baristas. In the back, there's even a garage door that opens in nice weather to a pleasant shared courtyard. For my coffee, I ordered an Ethiopian for the espresso and a Panama via a Clever Dripper. The espresso, pulled short with a tannish/brown crema, spelled out a melody of heavy lime, seltzer, tomato, rosemary, hefeweizen and pine, proving bright and complex. The drip of the Panama doled out notes of apple, molasses, brown sugar, sunflower seeds, beef bullion and some spinach amidst a medium body; a coffee all together nutty, sweet and scrumptious.

The Empire Espresso Bar proved to be every bit worth the stop, a fact it seems the locals have not overlooked (i.e. it was packed). If you happen to be in the proximate vicinity, stop by for some great coffee.

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.

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.

Mugged: El Chupacabra [Happyrock]

Subject: Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co.
Mugged: El Chupacabra
Rating [see key]: 3+


Naming coffee blends remains always an interesting task. Most of the time, roasters either stick pretty close to convention (breakfast blend, french roast, etc) or pick something completely inane (like Sam's Super Summer Fist Pump). But every now and then, a roaster will pick something that actually foots the bill of creativity and effective description.

Take Happyrock Coffee's El Chupacabra blend. A coffee recently sent out to me, I found the name at first a little scary for a coffee blend, being that chupacabras are rumored to be creatures of the night that suck the blood of livestock. But putting my mental associations to the side, I took the coffee for a spin in my pourover, french press and siphon.

The pourover doled out notes of cocoa, rye bread, tobacco, honey apple and a little cola, all within a sweet, medium body with a bit of a bitter kick on the end.

French pressing the coffee gave the beast girth, with this infusion proving heavier and more laden with tobacco flavors, along with remnants of butter, apple with skin, cocoa and cumin. A sweet brew still but much more of bitter presence.

The siphon was a medium-bodied coffee full of apple with skin, minestrone broth, chile powder and cumin. A heartier brew with bitter sweet highlights.

Thus, this coffee truly lived up to its name as a "dark" brew with a "bite." If you're looking for a full-bodied coffee with sweet aspects and a bitter kick on the back end, try out El Chupacabra.


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