Was pumped early last year or so when The Boy & The Bear opened a location near one of my clients offices.
It was a great brew at home as well.
The Boy and The Bear
The Mill
Gaelyn and I decided to get wild and hopped a plane up to Davis to go to a friend's baby shower. We stayed the night, and made a fun trip of it. The next day we rode metro bikes around Sacramento and checked out a couple different fancy coffee spots. This was the first, and where we ate breakfast. A wonderful spot downtown, but a bit on the North Eastern side. An easy bike ride and plenty of great options to eat. Plus the art for the beans is wonderful.
Santos Beans
If you read this blog you're probably also aware that the family and I spent some time in Los Cabos Mexico this Summer. While we were visiting we took a day drive up the coast to Todos Santos which was probably our best experience the whole trip. We found a little 3rd-Wave spot in Todos Santos and had a cup of coffee and I couldn't pass up a bag of beans.
Saint Frank Coffee Roasters
I can’t remember where we were sitting, but from over my tiny cappuccino this giant “F” caught my eye. On closer inspection I realized it was by a brand I’d heard of before called St. Frank. In fact, I’m pretty sure this company is owned or run by someone I know personally, though honestly I’m not quite sure anymore.
The packaging is “Wow” and jumps off the shelf. I was excited to brew a batch of St. Frank out of San Francisco at home.
A few things to note about the roast as realized from the label on the front. This roast was called the “Las Nubes” from Honduras. Even more intimate information tells me that it was grown by Alexi Moreno in El Cedral, Santa Barbara Honduras. How awesome is that? It truly brings a face to the farmer that created the first thing you drink in the morning.
This roast is “YEOWZA”. A very light roast that almost hits you like a ton of bricks. Usually I’m slightly offended by flavor like this, but for some reason in St. Frank’s capacity, it was wonderful. Sure it had me bouncing off the walls making my 3 year old say “whats up with papa?” But he wasn’t complaining when I was ready to play with him all day.
This thing is great, and hopefully some day I’d like to enjoy St. Frank in it’s natural habitat. The city by the bay.
Saint Frank Coffee
2340 Polk Street,
San Francisco, CA 94109
49th Parallel
I picked up this 49th Parallel “just add creme” blend during my staycation out in the central/eastern side of Los Angeles at a Coffee spot called “Go Gett’em Tiger”.
I’d seen this brand around from time to time. They’re based out of the Great White North in Vancouver B.C.
This specific blend was roasted exclusively for Go Gett’em Tiger, and a spot in the Los Angeles Grand Central Market called G&B. While I’ve never been a HUGE fan of G&B for a variety of reasons. Brewing this blend at home yielded excellent results.
It was a calm light roast that didn’t offend, and worked well with cream and agave which is my go-to right now. The price tag isn’t terrible, but it’s on the high end.
Tasted great!
49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
2902 Main Street
Vancouver BC Canada V5T 3G3
Kicking Horse Coffee
I happened across Kicking Horse by accident. We were strolling down the coffee aisle at Target in Culver City and the bag caught my eye. The coffee was a little cheaper than Intelligensia's a shelf below, and I'd never heard of them, but they seemed to pride themselves on a dark roast which is not necessarily all the rage right now. I picked up a bag and it's been a staple in our house since.
At this point, I'm buying even larger bags and having them delivered to me via Amazon.com which is pretty much the most amazing thing ever head over to Amazon and try it out. Or you can be all old fashioned and stop by. Let me warn you though, even their own website says "Invermere is halfway between heaven and the center of the universe. Which puts us precisely in the middle of nowhere." If you go, take pictures, and send them to me. Seriously.
491 Arrow Road
Ivermere Canada
