Brotherhood of the Bean

Finally…

muchocheko — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:16:24 +0000

You had to know it was coming, it was just a matter of when. In case you haven’t heard, Starbuck’s has released an instant version of their coffee. I know that I was a little skeptical, but it really does taste like a fresh brewed cup of coffee from a Starbuck’s store. I’m in the Army right now and our coffee from the mess hall is, well, bad. My wife sent me some of the VIA and I’ve made it several times. It’s really good. Anywhere you can get hot water(or cold, depending on your tastes) you can make a cup of Starbuck’c coffee. I’m not always a fan of the big corporate coffee houses, but they definitely have a winner with this. Unfortunately, it’s not available everywhere. Looks like from their site, it’s only available in stores in Chicago, Seattle and London. It is available online however, which I guess makes it available just about anywhere. Good job Starbucks.

Don’t F*CK with Colombia

Brotherhood of the Bean — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:41:23 +0000

Colombia has a lot going against it. Massive drug cartels, rampant violent, poverty, etc. It’s one shining light of goodness is it’s coffee trade — and nothing personifies that trade like Juan Valdez.

Everyone knows him, we grew up on his commercials felt a kinship with him, his donkey and his sack of coffee beans. In Colombia he is an icon, and when that icon is messed with, Columbia’s claws come out.

Mike Peter’s has found himself on the receiving end of a lawsuit over his cartoon (above) that lampoons good old Juan Valdez. According to a report from the Associated Press:

The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation says it will sue “Mother Goose & Grimm” cartoonist Mike Peters “for damage and harm, detriment to intellectual property and defamation.”

Damages which add up to heft $20 million dollars. Peters was quoted as saying:

Peters told the AP Wednesday he loves Colombian coffee and did not intend any offense.

All I have to say is “Yikes!” and I’d like to point out how much we love Juan Valdez.

Topless Coffee Shop — Got Milk?

Brotherhood of the Bean — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:06:26 +0000

Coffee shops by and by tend to gel into a few usual themes. Some look to be artsy, some folksy, cozy, hip, young, urban, etc. etc. etc. All of which is fine, I mean who doesn’t enjoy those themes, they bring a fun casual feel to things and there is nothing better than drinking a fine cup of Joe in any of its many iterations in a nice big leather chair.

But one coffee house has decided to go another route, an eye opening route that will shake away the sleep from your eyes better than any double espresso — Topless coffee shop waitresses.

Yes, topless. These brave young ladies who will risk scalding hot coffee burns and the inevitable snickers that will arise from asking their patrons if they want cream with their coffee should not be vilified, but rather applauded for their courage to expand upon the arts in a way not done before in the U.S. of A.

As the Vassalboro Maine Planning Board considered this permit request, a few things they might consider…

Great resource for Art Students - With the declining economy many colleges are forced to cut back on the models they have available for life drawing, college art professors could have field expeditions to this shop and kill two birds with one stone.
Better Environment for the Elderly - Reduction in clothing equals increase in heating. No longer will Grandpa be forced to shiver in a cold Starbucks.
Its Green - Such a store would reduce the need for certain adult publications, it would encourage local shopping and reduce paper consumption. Bonus, bonus, bonus.

Whatever the result may be, I am fairly certain that the shop will not look like the place you see above, at least we can hope it won’t!

1/7/2009 Update - The permit has been approved.

Drink Some Coffee, then Get Out and Vote

Brotherhood of the Bean — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:21:08 +0000

If your office is like mine, you no doubt have had an buildup of coffee talk over the last few weeks concerning the election tomorrow. That is a good thing, and coffee is an excellent catalyst for discussion as we all know. To that end I just wanted to remind everyone to vote tomorrow.

Frankly, if you don’t vote — you have no right to complain when things are in the crapper. To that end, I just wanted to give everyone a link to an Election Protection website that has information about what is needed to vote in your state. Take a minute to look at this site, I’d hate to see anyone turned away who should be able to vote. See you at the polls!

Roast Magazine’s 2009 Micro Roast Winner

Brotherhood of the Bean — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:24:19 +0000

The Coffee Klatch list of awards is impressive and long, and this year they add another to their already long list of accomplishments — Roast Magazine’s 2009 Micro Roast Winner!

If you are in the mood to try some time tested award winning coffee, head on over to the Coffee Klatch online store!

Past Awards…

TOPS AWARDS
(Given to only 35 coffee houses in the world)

GOLDEN CUP
(For excellence in coffee brewing)

BEST COFFEE AND COFFEE HOUSE
(Daily Bulletin)

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
(IVEDC)

UNITED STATES BARISTA CHAMPION
(Heather Perry 2003, 2007)

Reason to Vote — Free Starbucks Coffee

Brotherhood of the Bean — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:29:50 +0000

It’s hard to believe that the Presidential election is just around the corner, at this point its at our doorstep. Tuesday, a day for history whichever way the vote ends up going.

During the latest Saturday Night Live, Starbucks did its best to tempt people get off their asses and vote on Tuesday with a simple message delivered in the soothing Starbucks colors:

“What if we all cared enough to vote?”

The better question is “Why don’t we all care enough to vote?” . Its something I have never understood, the apathy that so many people have for something so simple, yet so radically important. But that’s a question for another time.

The message ends with an offer —

“If you care enough to vote, we care enough to give you a free cup of coffee. You and Starbucks. It’s bigger than coffee.”

So there you have it, vote Tuesday and get some free drip coffee from Starbucks. As far as I can tell its an honor system, so I imagine some people will lie to just get some free coffee. But I imagine a certain percentage of people will go out and vote because of this offer of free coffee

Lavazza/Leibovitz 2009 Calendar

Brotherhood of the Bean — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:25:42 +0000

Slightly older news, but interesting no less. On October 14th Lavazza released to the world it’s 17th calendar. This years calendar features the art of famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. For those not familiar with Annie Leibovitz I highly encourage you to visit the wikipedia link, chances are you have seen her work and never known about it.

The seven photos shown below represent a theme of Italian style, the montage is meant to take the viewer on a journey through Italy and focuses on the unique culture and lifestyle that is Italy.

The style of Lavazza’s “Italian Expresso Experience” Calendar is unmistakably European, its sophisticated elegance easily meshes with the Lavazza image.

Lavazza coffee/espresso is slowly becoming more popular in the U.S., why I never had the opportunity to visit the Lavazza that was briefly opened in my area (closed, chewed up and regurgitated as a Starbucks), its coffee is quite good from what I have heard from friends.

Trying to find a link to a store that carried this calendar is providing difficult, if anyone is able to find one, please post a comment and include the link!

Undercover Donut Surveillance Sting

Brotherhood of the Bean — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:58:33 +0000

The Valero Nice N Easy coffee and donut shop had an epidemic on their hands — Donuts were going missing, disappearing actually from under the manager’s noses. Even the strong police presence in the shop which they kept strong by comping their coffee did little to deter the theft.

It was then that the manager’s decided to undertake their own private sting operation. Through the use of high tech video surveillance hardware they managed to catch the crook on tape. As soon as the trap was set, the thief was caught on camera.

Shock and outrage were no doubt felt when they reviewed the tape that first fateful night. So rather than blow the whistles they waited, and collected more video evidence.

All in all 21 thefts were recorded, the $1.29 donuts brought the grand total to just under $30 stolen. The culprit? A student? A homeless man? A bored suburban housewife trying to get her thrills with a little shoplifting? Hardly.

The thief was none other than police officer Sgt. Steve Brody of Morrisville State College. So much for serving and protecting.

Starbucks Joins (RED) to Fight AIDS

Brotherhood of the Bean — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:24:18 +0000

It no doubt came as a big surprise to those attending the Starbucks’ managers conference in New Orleans yesterday when U2 front-man Bono walked out on the stage. According to media reports Bono joked:

“I was going to jump out of a cranberry scone, but maybe not.”

Bono went on to say that his appearance was even kept secret from the rest of his U2 band members. The cause for all of this hoopla was Starbucks’ decision to partner with (RED), a private organization that benefits AIDS programs in Africa.

(RED) was founded in 2006 by Bono and Bobby Shriver to benefit the Global Fund. The Global Fund, created in 2002, provides money to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. With approximately 4100 people dying daily in Africa from these diseases, the addition of Starbucks to the list of companies partnered with (RED) will result in lives being saved.

Starting November 27th through January 2nd, Starbucks will donate 5 cents to the Global Fund for each holiday beverage it sells. Following the holiday season Starbucks will designate certain products as (RED) of which similar donation be given from their sales.

Bono was quoted as saying:

“Here we are, talking about the economy tanking. People are saying, ‘Maybe the world doesn’t need more coffee houses.’ And what do you do? What does Starbucks do? You decide to give your money away. This is not charity. This is commerce.”

According to Starbucks, if every Starbucks customer bought one (RED) Holiday Exclusive (beverage) for a week 15,000 lives could be saved in Africa.

The question I raise, is this:

Drink Cost (Estimated $4 per Drink) x 7 = $28.00
Money Donated by Starbucks to (RED) = $.05 x 7 = $0.35

If $0.35 x All Starbucks Customers = 15 thousand lives saved
Then $28 x All Starbucks Customers = 1,200,000 million lives saved

I ask you, why not skip spending that money at Starbucks and just giving it all directly to (RED)? This kind of charity is sugar coated goodness, it doesn’t require one ounce of sacrifice, and when you consider that you are drinking an overpriced cup of coffee, its really quit sad.

Don’t get me wrong, I think the (RED) project should be commended for trying to help in whatever way it can, its the rest of humanities blind eye and dedication to self that I have a problem with, mainly because this kind of thing makes me realize how little I am doing. But then again, maybe that is a good thing.

Look, Feel, Links & Wishes

Brotherhood of the Bean — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:29:38 +0000

It’s been a few years since I have update the look and feel of Brotherhood of the Bean and after seeing the “Amazing Grace” theme that you see here today, I felt the update was long over due.

You may also notice a few more advertising ads sprinkles in for your viewing pleasure. I especially like the amazon scroll banner on the far right. I’ve populated it with a ton of coffee related items that get my excited, if you see something you like, click it, buy it and this site will get a small monetary donation from the fine people at Amazon.

Lastly, I’ve added my Amazon wish list at the request of several readers who were interested in other ways that they could give to this site other than strictly through monetary donation. So, for those people — feel free to peruse the wish list, let me thank you in advance for your generosity.

Okay, enough site news, back to Coffee!!