24-Hour Coffee Shops

I don’t know about you, but there are times when I want a good cup of coffee in the middle of the night and I’m feeling too lazy to do it myself. I could go to a gas station or a 24-hour diner or fast food restaurant. Let’s be honest. With some exceptions, the coffee that comes from these establishments leaves a lot to be desired. Once and for all, I would like to go to a coffee shop that's around the clock, producing great coffee for anyone who wants it. The other places might serve coffee. Coffee is not their obsession though. I want to go to a place that's obsessed with coffee.

It’s beyond me why Starbucks or some other national coffee chain hasn’t jumped on this and at least opened a few locations that never closed their doors. Between night owls and people who were going in for a late shift, 24-hour coffee places would have a good customer base. I understand that a lot of people are in bed after 9 pm, which is when most major coffee places close. Not everyone is in bed though. I know I’m not in bed.

Starbucks would be lying if they said they wouldn’t do great business in the wee hours of the morning. Granted, most locations do open their doors at 5:30 am or so. While this time is all well and good, it leaves a majority of each day uncovered. I guarantee that the line would be around the block if Starbucks decided they wanted to go into the all-night coffee business. After all, they’re starting to serve wine and beer. A majority of wine and beer drinkers do not go to bed early.

I will give some shops credit. They have taken up the mantle of serving coffee to the late night crowd. These place include Shore North Coffee House in Columbus, Ohio, Ava Roasteria throughout Oregon, and E’s 24 Hour Café in Memphis, Tennessee. The fact that these were the only places I could come across after performing a thorough search is a shame. I’m sure that I am missing a few and I would happily accept being proven wrong in this regard. 

Daylight Mind Coffee Company

Let me be the first to say I'm not the most organized person in the world. The words you're reading now are perhaps the most organized thing in my life and even they have a tendency to go awry from time to time. I'm the kind of person who starts projects and never finishes them. I'm forgetful and messy. There are moments where I can get my act together. Unfortunately, they don't come around often enough.

I have a tendency to get full of myself too. I become oblivious to the fact that I am so discombobulated. The people I come across when I am absorbed in my chaos are often left bewildered and irritated. It's not until someone comes out of the mist and slaps some sense into me that I truly get my act together. Most recently the entity that assumed this responsibility was Daylight Mind Coffee Company.

Apparently I had contacted them on several occasions while I was trying a million different things to light a fire under me to get this blog going again. Conversations were started and never completed. Additional dialogue was initiated in a way that made it seem like no other dialogue had taken place. It was a mess. I'm a mess. Rather than condemning Daylight Mind Coffee Company for taking this stance, I would like to say I'm sorry and express my thanks and appreciation.

From the moment you look at the coffee page on their website, you will see that Daylight Mind Coffee Company is no two bit establishment. They're a world class coffee destination located in one of the best places for coffee: Hawaii. I am so impressed with the way they present their coffee is presented that I can almost smell and taste it and I haven't even held any of it in my hand. I'm simply just looking at pictures on a screen.

Going forward I will do my best to improve my organizational capabilities. In the meantime, I recommend that you check out this company. I assure you that you won't regret it.

Cape Cod Coffee Roasters

Cape Cod Coffee Roasters was impressive from the word go. Opening their package was like opening a gift on Christmas Day. I cracked open the cardboard and was greeted with a sea of brightly colored, shiny bags. I am a big fan of companies that make their products look appealing while also making them taste great. I swear I had written this review many times before. I guess the only versions I had created are left locked in my mind.

I would rank Cape Cod Coffee Roasters as one of the best coffee companies in the country. Ranking companies in this industry is so difficult because coffee quality is subjective. Everyone who drinks coffee likes something different. A lot of coffee companies fall into niche categories. The people who run them have a limited perspective of what coffee is all about. The best coffee companies are the ones that offer something for everyone. Cape Cod Coffee Roasters succeeds in this regard.

Companies that have expansive inventories tend to lose sight of quality as their inventories grow larger. Cape Cod Coffee Roasters has perfected having a large amount of products with no weak spots in their repertoire. You can't beat that. Coffee lovers often find themselves in a position where they have to go to different companies to get what they want. That problem would become a thing of the past if every coffee lover went to Cape Cod Coffee Roasters.

It doesn't matter where you start with Cape Cod Coffee Roasters. You will find yourself ordering different types of coffee just to see how they taste. After you have filled your cupboards with their coffee, you will develop feelings of fondness and loyalty that every Cape Cod Coffee Roasters shares. Your passion for their brand is only rivaled by their passion for having you as a customer.

Those of us who love coffee will admit that it's a major part of our lives. We have our favorite brand of coffee and we rarely veer away from it, even if other brands step to the forefront and attempt to claim some of our attention. We are almost too focused on getting our brand of coffee to notice how the company that makes it treats us. Bigger companies have so many customers they lack the necessary resources to deal with us as individuals. Smaller companies might be busy, but they still have that small business mentality where the customer is still always right and important.

If I were to pick a company that fit the values I described in the previous paragraph, it would be Cape Cod Coffee Roasters. I'm not located near their main location, but I know that if I were I would have the ability to become friends with the owners. I am not sure if this scenario were likely to come to pass considering that this company was one of the ones from the first incarnation of this blog. I would hope that they would read this article, accept my heartfelt apology, and realize that not only did I appreciate what they sent me, I loved it.

Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters

Paper Tiger Coffee Roasters was a company I came across during the first failed incarnation of this blog. They were nothing but friendly with me and sent a pack of coffee shortly after we first established contact. I lost control of the project, failing to write a review of them in the process. I contacted them periodically via Twitter to sing their praises and offer to help them fill out their website.

Recently, Paper Tiger reached out to me to see if I was the same person they had been communicating with previously. I told them that I was, reinforcing my policy about being the main point of contact on anything which bears my name.  Their reply took me by surprise, but it's one I should have expected considering my previous ineptitude in dealing with them.

Paper Tiger started off their response by calling me out for receiving their product and never writing a review about it. I deserved a much more potent brand of criticism than the one they sent my way. They were as nice and professional as they were the first time we communicated with one another. The only difference is that they were using their kindness as a weapon and not a warm greeting.

Out of all the companies with whom I communicated during the first incarnation of this blog, Paper Tiger was perhaps least deserving of the raw deal I gave them. They are a humble coffee producer who cares a great deal about the quality of their product and it shows. I can't say enough about how impressed I was with the coffee they sent me.

Prior to my time as a coffee reviewer, I didn't know anything about coffee from other parts of the world. It wasn't until I got the package from Paper Tiger that I was exposed to international coffee. In the package, they had given me a number of flavor saving pouches. This was a good touch as the beans were so fresh it was almost like they had been roasted that day.

The only thing I didn't like about their package was the fact that each package was so small. This isn't a slight to them as much as it's a declaration of how much I loved their coffee. I ran through their package within days. If it weren't for the fact that I became overwhelmed, got a case of writer's block, and lost my confidence, this review would have come years ago.

I would love nothing more than to do business with Paper Tiger again. Based on the tone of our last chat, I doubt that this is a possibility. I'm hoping that they read this review and have a change of heart. I would understand if they didn't. There is no reason for them to have one.

I encourage everyone reading this review to check Paper Tiger out at the first opportunity. Their a top of the line organization that excels in both customer service and product quality. Anytime you can find a company that flourishes in these areas you need to pay attention. Paper Tiger is just that kind of company.

Redbud Roasters

I don't know the first thing about Redbud Roasters and that's a beautiful thing. I look at coffee as a social thing and the companies that make it as friends I haven't met yet. I'm not sure if Redbud has an option to buy their beans online. Their website is appealing, but devoid of content in many areas.

I'm sure I would not have a hard time figuring out what Redbud is all about if I lived in their neck of the woods. I don't though. These previews are a little strange, especially if I have no previous experience with the company. I have decided I will use them to introduce myself to companies I'm interested in profiling.

My first incarnation of this blog was a total flop. I wasn't prepared for the interest I would receive. The product piled up and I couldn't deal with the workload. This time is different. Somehow I feel like my writing is better and I want to use this platform to talk about companies like Redbud.

Whenever I see a company with a website like the one Redbud has, I feel the need to offer my services. I would happily fill their website with content at no cost to them. This blog is not merely a tool for me to blather to you about coffees I've tried. It's a mechanism I want to use to take what makes coffee great and make it greater.

I am a big fan of coffee companies that serve types of coffee from around the world. I don't think it's right when companies offer only one type of beans. There's nothing wrong with it. Variety is always better though. The experiences I've had with companies that have a diverse inventory have been consistently impressive.

I'm eager to hear from them because, if their reviews are any indication, they are well regarded for their high level of product quality and customer service.

Publik Coffee Roasters

Publik Coffee Roasters leads the pack of companies I've written about, but have never heard from. To be fair, they responded once to tell me they were currently undergoing renovations. That was three years ago. I sent them a message this week. They looked at it. No reply. What more does a guy need to do?

Now, I know what you're saying. "They're trying to send you a message by not responding. Take a hint. Give up." While these sentiments are accurate, I feel like it's not unheard of to expect even the most succinct of responses. Honestly, how long does it take to type "No" or "Stop"? I am not saying I'm deserving of either reply. I would accept it if Publik felt like this is what I deserve though.

On their Facebook page, Publik has a mountain of reviews that toot their horn and praise their dedication to quality. I have no doubt that these reviews are true; however, I never base my content on reviews alone. It seems like a majority of reviews have everything to do with the quality of service, not quality of product. So far I would give them low marks in quality of service, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I have no idea why my luck has been better with coffee companies located anywhere else in the country than it has been with ones in my backyard. Your guess is as good as mine in that area. Don't be surprised if you see another Publik article coming from me in a few months. Say what you will about me. I'm one of the most persistent people out there.

Any time a writer decides to cover a specific topic they need to do so until there's nothing left to say about that topic. I haven't interacted much with Publik so this remains an unfinished chapter. Hopefully they will reach out and put the finishing touches on this tale. I know that once we get in touch with each other we will become the best of friends.

Mason Jar Coffee Roasters

I used to live around the corner from the old location of Mason Jar Coffee Roasters. In my one visit to their store, I purchased some of their beans and got one of their waffles and coffee drink. The waffle was good, but too small for the price. I enjoyed the coffee drink (for some reason, my final judgment of it proved inconclusive) and looked forward to brewing the beans.

Anytime I purchase coffee to brew at home I look at the value I'm getting in return for what I paid. I knew that the coffee would be great from the moment I first smelled it. The cost of the beans set me back a bit, so the expectations were high. I loved the coffee. They are skilled roasters that produce appealing blends; however, I was somehow left wanting more. I can't put my finger on it. I wanted to be impressed. Instead, I was confused.

My efforts to conduct a follow up visit were thwarted when I realize their location was closed. I gave up on contacting them online after several emails and posts on their Facebook profile produced zero replies. I don't fault them for taking this approach. I understand it. At the same time, their lack of responsiveness serves to complicate my already apparent issues with Utah coffee producers.

I was delighted to find out that Mason Jar Coffee Roasters is still serving coffee. I'm always willing to give coffee companies the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they will see this post, establish contact, and thaw the ice in our relationship. I have no expectations, so I will be surprised with any outcome.

I like the concept of Mason Jar Coffee Roasters. Their beans are sold in mason jars. I have seen so many bags of coffee in my day. There comes a time when these bags become indistinguishable from one another. It's difficult to keep coffee in bags fresh. I found that the coffee from Mason Jar stayed fresher for longer because of the container in which it's sold. Being able to get coffee in something unique is a welcome departure.

SOS Cold Brew: You Can Never Have Enough of a Good Thing

Drinking SOS Cold Brew was a pleasure to say the least. I am often reluctant to reach for the seemingly weaker type of coffee. I will forever remain attracted to the strongest possible coffee I can get my hands on. Occasionally I’m surprised and a type of coffee that's branded as weaker has impressed me with its potency. That's exactly what happened when I first tried SOS Cold Brew.

SOS Cold Brew has Classic and Bold varieties. They also carry a Kona flavor, but I was unable to try that one. I couldn’t believe that I had been missing out on this product in my local area. Every time I go to the grocery store I look to see if there are any new cold brews being sold. The selection has expanded in recent months, but it will forever remain inadequate until I see SOS Cold Brew on the shelves.

As a company that comes from Seattle, Washington, the nexus of coffee in this country, it’s no wonder they’re good at what they do. I’m sure that I would be able to find them if I were to head to the nearest Whole Foods. I have no intention of doing so because for me, that store lacks a certain universality that coffee is all about. I struggle with this notion because SOS Cold Brew is so good that it makes me want to break from tradition and head into a Whole Foods.

This cold brew is so good that it’s the first thing I think of when I’m needing a pick me up. The weather has been hot for the past several months, leaving me feeling like I need to put hot coffee on the backburner. Putting hot coffee in a cup filled with ice cubs can only go so far. The differences in the taste of hot brewed coffee and cold brew is apparent from the moment you take your first sip. SOS Cold Brew is a welcome departure from this reality.

If you’re going to dip your feet into the cold brew waters, you would be hard pressed to find a company that does it better than SOS Cold Brew.

Xtraction Coffee: Good to the Last Drop

Xtraction Coffee is a unique organization because their cold brew is their flagship product. I had a good time working through their coffee, but somehow I was left wanting more…coffee. And that's a good thing. I have had coffees in my life that were a struggle to finish. I tried as hard as I could to finish them to no avail. All I was left with was coffee collecting dust on a nearby shelf. To me, that's tragic. That's not the case with Xtraction Coffee.

I am usually wary of any kind of coffee that's flavored. Too many coffee producers like to load their blends with artificial flavors that tend to stick out. The coffee almost becomes unenjoyable to drink because all you can taste is what the producer wanted you to taste, not the coffee you’re supposed to be enjoying. Xtraction Coffee has a hazelnut coffee that is not like that at all. I felt like the coffee and hazelnut flavorings were well balanced with one another. I savored each sip of this kind because I was stunned at how they were able to pull off this flavoring so well.

Xtraction Coffee is a company that's well deserving of more attention than they’re receiving. I’m not saying I’m the guy that's going to get that attention for them. I will do my best to sing their praises in the hopes that someone else will be able to glom on to my enthusiasm and give them a try for themselves.

As I sit here writing this article, I’m forlorn because I know I don’t have any Xtraction Coffee in my fridge. I kept one bottle around for a while because I knew that this moment was coming. Every time I opened the fridge that bottle looked me right in the eyes and dared me to drink it. I resisted the urge for so long before I had to give in. Once I put the empty botle down, I realized what had happened. I didn’t care because I enjoyed every minute I spent drinking this coffee.

I know you will feel the same. Order some today.

KonaRed: A Unique Pleasure

KonaRed is a company I have had my eye on for quite some time. I was pleased to find out their products were being sold in my local grocery store. Being the consummate coffee reviewer I am, I couldn’t invest in the product without trying it first. I resisted the urge to contact them right away. I don’t know what it is but there’s something intimidating about contacting a company that's sold in the grocery store. I finally got over my fears and sent them a message. To my surprise they replied and it was copacetic from then on.

I had the pleasure of trying out all three varieties of KonaRed’s cold brew: Hawaiian Vanilla, Espresso, and Original. Due to my passion for strong coffee, I gravitated to the Espresso variety and was instantly impressed. There was something about this coffee that I couldn’t put my finger on and I liked it. Like many times before, I found myself down to my last bottle, which sits in my fridge as we speak. I don’t want to take it out because I know what will happen. I will drink it in the blink of an eye and it will be gone, leaving me with only fond memories of this coffee.

With the word kona in the name, I was hoping that KonaRed would carry some of the stuff. I could hardly contain my joy when I found out that they did. I would be honored if they would be willing to participate in my kona profiling project on here. If their cold brew is any indication, I know that their kona coffee will be the highest level of quality.

As I close out each of these reviews, I’m filled with a feeling of dread. I have enjoyed talking to this company and their products are top notch. I don’t want it to end when I click the post button. If that's how it has to be, I will accept this fate. I will have fond memories of the strong and fruity blends they produced as well as yet another product that makes me enjoy flavored coffee.

Caveman Coffee Co: Stylish and Delicious

The cold brew I received from Caveman Coffee had a certain addictive quality to it. The problem was I got hooked too quickly and downed what they sent me without even noticing. Something has to be said about a coffee that goes down like water. You don’t even realize that you have finished everything that you had stockpiled until you take a look at your stash and realize that you have run out.

I applaud the people behind Caveman Coffee for producing their cold brew in aluminum cans. Between the design of these little guys and their flavor, I was in awe of the whole package. I have said many times that image is an underrated part of what coffee companies produce. Some companies are content with releasing products that are plain looking. That's fine as long as the product is great. A company that's able to package great products in appealing packages is one that's worth receiving all the applause.

Their online store is stocked with a number of different coffee options. Besides their cold brew, they have several coffee varieties in bean form. Each one of them is more impressive than the last. I’m particularly impressed with their white coffee.

Their website describes their white coffee as follows, “The unique flavor, color, and quality of this bean are achieved through a one of a kind roasting process, never used before. The result is a coffee that's almost white. It's light, creamy, nutty and perfect for mixing with your favorite fats.” I am shocked that I have never heard of such a thing before. All I know is that I am dying to try it.

It’s not every day that you find a coffee company that gives you the opportunity to brew coffee and get it out of the fridge while also decking you out in some stylish threads. You wouldn’t think all those things would go together, but they do and Caveman Coffee does it spectacularly. I look forward to the possibility of continuing to communicate with this fine organization.

Guys, you can back the truck up to my house anytime. I’m ready.

Forest Coffee Trading Company: Impressive to the Last Drop

The people over at Forest Coffee Trading Company were gracious enough to send me some of their cold brew. After having a few bottles, I’m impressed. The coffee is smooth and powerful at the same time, which is exactly how I like it. Let’s just say that this particular variety of cold brew did nothing to quench my hunger for more cold brew. I’m happy that they sell their cold brew in nine bottle packs because if I had any fewer I might not know what to do with myself when I was done with the last bottle.

As soon as I picked up one of the bottles their cold brew comes in, I immediately noticed its thickness. Once I was able to get a bottle straight out of the fridge, I took my time to savor the flavor. The drink stayed cold for much longer than I had anticipated. This was helpful because when you want hot coffee, you drink hot coffee, but when you want cold brew, you want it to stay cold. That wasn’t a problem here.

I plan to play around with this coffee to see what it can do. Perhaps I will add it to things or create different drinks using it. None of these things would be a problem because the coffee contained in these bottles is flexible. If you picked up a pack, you would have a hard time not wanting to share with your friends. Don’t worry if you’re feeling a little possessive about the bottles you have left. I know I have been feeling that way since my cold brews arrived.

I was pleased to find out that Forest Coffee Trading Company also carries coffee beans in their online store. This is an intriguing process because of the differences between coffee when it’s brewed hot and coffee when it’s brewed cold. I will have to see if I will get the opportunity to try out their brewed coffee as well.

I’m impressed with this company from top to bottom. I only hope that they will continue their dedication to quality and see to it that they add to their product line in the future.

Kona Coffee: Let's Talk About It

I’m on a bit of a kona kick lately. In the coffee world, there’s a certain mythology that surrounds kona coffee. If you’re someone who’s in the market for a good cup of joe, chances are not too much time will pass before kona is brought up.

Kona coffee is stronger on flavor and potency than most coffee varieties you will try. The people who produce this coffee are some of the most passionate individuals you will ever meet. Their dedication to their craft shows in the quality of the products they put forth.

I recently reached out to many kona coffee producers. The results were mixed, but I was able to make some great contacts. I plan to continue this project until I’m able to explore the breadth of the kona world. It’s difficult to know how far something goes if you never follow it through to its end.

Whenever I dip into a certain segment of the coffee industry, I always feel like an interloper. All these coffee companies get requests for free products all the time. I understand when their first response is to treat me like an irritant. My goal is to be anything but that. I envision building partnerships with the companies about which I write in the hopes that it will form a sustaining bond that will lead to many more pieces of content.

Prior to my time reviewing coffee, I read how many other writers approached the topic. I found that they were not invested in what they were talking about. They put out words about the topic, but the meaning behind those words left a lot to be desired. I want to treat each article like a personal conversation where I bring you to into the experience I have trying out these coffees.

Coffee is not serious. It’s wonderful. I love drinking it and I want to tell you about why it’s so great. The kona side of the coffee world is truly magical. I received some samples from a few purveyors. I will be talking about them first. After that I will make an effort to contact more in the hopes of fleshing out this section of the blog with more content.  

Two Rivers Coffee: Where Can I Get Some Select By Trump?

Ever since I heard it existed, I wanted to get my hands on Select By Trump. It’s a brand of coffee that’s offered through Two Rivers Coffee. They have some other appealing products I would like to try, but, since it’s the election season, I feel that it’s only right to make acquiring Select by Trump my highest priority.

I recently had a family member gift me some Brooklyn Bean coffee. I didn’t know what to think. After I made a few cups, I was hooked. I couldn’t drink the coffee fast enough. Unfortunately, as with every sampler pack, this one quickly ran out, leaving me wanting more and more.

I have read so much about politics. I keep track of the election, even when doing so fills me with tremendous nausea. Coffee helps me get through these moments. Imagine what this experience would be like if I had a cup full of Select By Trump. By no means does my consumption of said coffee constitute an endorsement of the candidate after which it’s named. I just think it’s funny that there’s a coffee bearing his name. I would feel like this blog is inadequate if I did not review it in time for the big day in November.

Their line of Friendly’s coffees is intriguing to me because each type of coffee is modeled after a flavor of ice cream. If these coffees are anything like their Brooklyn Bean varieties, I know that I would enjoy them if I were to try to them.

My interactions with this company have been limited. I interacted with one of their representatives regarding their Brooklyn Bean coffees. The conversation was warm; however, it didn’t go beyond that. I attempted to jumpstart some sort of dialogue to no avail. There has been no communication since then.

I have never encountered a coffee company that has such diverse product lines in k-cup form. I am not sure what kind of relationship Two Rivers has with Brooklyn Bean Roastery because they seem like two separate entities. To distinguish between the two, I will write a more elaborate review of Brooklyn Bean Roastery in the future.

Until then, here’s to hoping I can get my hands on some Select By Trump.

Metropolis Coffee Company: Beautiful Windy City Brews

I wanted to talk to Metropolis Coffee Company because their imaging was so appealing. I realize that image isn't everything, especially when it comes to products that need to be more tasty than pretty. At the same time, a bag of beans will be more appealing if it looks good.

I contacted Metropolis thinking that they would never contact me in a million years. To my surprise, they reached out to me and couldn't have been nicer. I asked them for a sample of their cold brew and they wasted no time in getting a package out to me.

When I received the package, I couldn't open it up fast enough. Since the bottles had traveled a fair distance to get to my door, they were on the warm side. Rather than wait for them to chill naturally, I put some ice in a glass and went to town. The experience that followed was practically transcendental.

I am a person who obsesses over anything I like. I loved the cold brew from Metropolis Coffee, so the level of obsession was tremendous. In the blink of an eye, the samples I received were gone, leaving me forlorn in the process. I wrote several positive tweets about them leading up to the finalization of this review. Things are copacetic between us.

I have written on and on about the kinds of relationships I would like to have with the companies I review. I don't want these to be one and done scenarios. I want to be able to work with these companies in the future. As a creative person, I'm driven by anything that fuels collaboration. While there are a lot of creative people in the coffee industry, I think the coffee would benefit from more creativity.

Coffee companies often have blogs on their websites that are used to promote product releases and other happenings within these organizations. There's nothing wrong with using blogs in this fashion; however, I feel like impersonal, casual blogs would do a lot for developing a relationship between the coffee company and their customers. I'm not saying that I would be the best person for this role. What I am saying is that I know I could add something to the conversation.

Coffee drinkers have a tendency to get stuck in ruts. They find one kind of coffee they like and they stick with it forever. Bigger coffee companies could not care less about their customers' ability to try new things. They want to keep you drinking their coffee until the end of time. I used to think that way. That was until I broadened my horizons.

I don't want my work with Metropolis Coffee Company to end with my review of their cold brew. I would love to have the opportunity to try all their products and attempt to make my own version of their cold brew with their cold brew blend. I want to explore all possibilities because I want anyone who's reading my articles to know what Metropolis Coffee Company is all about.

Death Wish Coffee Company - Expressing My Disappointment

When it comes to Death Wish Coffee Company, I have a hard time putting my disappointment and anguish into words. They were one of the first companies to give me the time of day when I started reviewing coffee. After they read my first review and loved it, I got a complimentary bag of grounds in the mail. There was some back and forth after that, but it largely tapered off on their end.

I continued to sing their praises, writing and tweeting the wonders of Death Wish Coffee Company. I rarely heard from them throughout any of it. The responses I did get had to be pried from them. Eventually, I got tired of shucking and jiving for nothing. I tried to keep up the adulation. I had to stop.

It got to the point where Death Wish started to treat me like an irritant. I felt like I was brushed under the rug. They wanted me to go away and that's exactly what I did...until now. I'm tired of sitting on the feelings that this unpleasant experience has created. I wanted to lay it out in the hopes that Death Wish might recognize what has occurred.

I don't know what I'm going to get from Death Wish or what I expect. They don't owe me anything. I guess I just want them to be the Death Wish I met the first time around. The Death Wish that seemingly made me a priority, even though they had so many other things on their plate.

I could never say a bad word about Death Wish. They're great. The products they produce are among the best in the coffee world. That being said, I have an idea of what a coffee company should be about. Death Wish hit every mark in the beginning and later missed all those points in the future. I know they're better than what they have been lately.

I miss having their coffee. I can't remember the last time I had it. I think about them often and I'm glad I'm finally getting this out in the open.

Searching for the Best Utah Cold Brew Coffee

I have had the chance to work with Daily Rise Espresso and try a multitude of drinks on their menu. I am a huge fan. Rather than spend this entire article fawning over them, I thought it would be important to mention them because their role in the world of Utah cold brew cannot be underestimated. I would be foolish to have a conversation about cold brew in my state without mentioning the other companies who do it well.

Based on my search, the other companies that make cold brew in Utah are La Barba Coffee Roasters, Hugo Coffee, and Blue Copper Roasters. I dealt with La Barba back when they were called Charming Beard. They're a wonderful company I've wanted to re-establish a relationship with for quite some time.

I have not had any other dealings with the remaining Utah cold brew producers.

I figure if I'm going to be reviewing cold brew, I might as well pay attention to what's going on in my own backyard. I have attempted to get in touch with Blue Copper. Their interest has either been lukewarm or they have ignored me altogether. Here's to hoping that changes.

People need to realize that something is happening here in Utah. We're not a black hole devoid of any good coffee places. Not only are there great places to get coffee, there are also great people who produce coffee. You are sure to find more fantastic coffee stops in this state than you could have ever imagined.

Trying out coffee is not the easiest thing in the world. As the amount of types of coffee a company offers increases, the chances of them having a less than desirable blend increase. I'm not saying that every company has lackluster products. What I am saying is that a single product does not tell the whole story of what a company can bring to the table.

I encourage any company who produces cold brew to reach out to me. I will be reaching out to La Barba, Hugo, and Blue Copper. We'll see where that goes.

1000 Faces Coffee: This Can't Be The End

I'm here today to tell the people of the world that they should not sleep on 1000 Faces Coffee. They gave me the opportunity to try their cold brew. I didn't know what to think going in, but I was definitely impressed.

For one, interacting with them was a joy. They quickly replied to an email from some coffee weirdo from Utah and did so in friendly manner. After all the terse and downright mean emails I've received from coffee people, I appreciate it when people are nice.

The beauty of a company like 1000 Faces Coffee is that they're about more than just cold brew. They have a full line of diverse and flavorful sounding (I don't know how they taste because I haven't tried them) coffees. If these varieties of coffee are anything like their cold brew, you're sure to be impressed regardless of which one you choose.

I don't know if 1000 Faces Coffee wants to partner with someone like me, but I would love to explore such an opportunity. The nature of this partnership would depend on their interest. I just know they're a company I would love to work with for a long time.

As I write this article, I have one more bottle of their cold brew sitting in my fridge. This occasion has made me mournful of what it might be like without their coffee in my life. I shudder at such a world where that is the case.

I interacted with 1000 Faces Coffee after I received the package they sent me. I thanked them for the opportunity to test their product. Their response was "Always glad to properly caffeinate." How beautiful is that! I think that should be the mission of any company that makes coffee.

If this is the end of my time with 1000 Faces Coffee, I will accept this reality with grace. I know I will enjoy every drop of the last cold brew if that's the case. A good coffee starts your morning. A great coffee stays with you. 1000 Faces Coffee is one that's going to stay with me for years to come.

Letter to Canadian Coffee/Why I Am (Part 1 of Many)

I haven't had much luck with Canadian coffee companies. I've received samples from Laughing Whale Coffee Roasters and Fratello Coffee Roasters. Absolutely excellent coffee. I felt like I had quite the connection with Fratello and I enjoyed their coffee and the words I wrote about them. I will be reaching out to them soon to re-establish the relationship going forward.

My brief interactions with Laughing Whale were regrettable. I sat too long on the review and they didn't like that. I'm not a person who likes to force my writing. If I don't like it, I sit on it until I'm happy with it.

I pose this question to anyone who produces coffee. Are you willing to tell me that you release your latest blend before it's absolutely perfect? I think not.

I am not a perfect writer or person. I will never claim to be either one of those things. I am a well-intentioned individual who always tries to put forward the maximum level of effort. Sometimes it works out better than others. Sometimes it doesn't work out at all.

I never want my coffee writing to be about insincere efforts to pander to my audience to fund this venture. I hate blogs where the creators do more fundraising than creating. I will never be that kind of person. This blog will forever remain a zero budget enterprise.

That's why I ask for complimentary products from coffee companies. I don't do it because I want freebies. I do it because if I didn't my readers and the companies I profile would suffer. I would never be able to muster enough of a budget to try all the products out there unless I made the decision to devote my life to pandering and fundraising, which I will never do.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Laughing Whale. I think that you're a great company and I would love to reopen dialogue as soon as you're ready. I think we could do great things together.

To all the Canadian coffee companies, I will be talking to you soon. I hope to be able to talk with you and try your products. Let this be the start of a great relationship.