Wednesday, April 10
Read Jayson Greene’s review of Kurt Vile’s latest album, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, our latest Best New Music pick.
(Source: Spotify)
Wednesday, April 3
wow, that is beautiful!
Chris Cornell Partners with Gibson for Special Edition Guitars
2013 US Brewers Cup: The Road to Boston and #TeamHaru, Part 1
Hello there!
It’s been forever since I wrote a nice lengthy blog post about coffee and I think it’s high time I get to it. The next series of posts will be about my journey to the Brewers Cup and I’m attempting to gear these posts more towards friends and family who might not have extensive knowledge about coffee and/or what the heck this competition is that I’m about to throw myself into!
This time next Wednesday I’ll be on a flight to Boston where I’ll be representing the company I work for, Counter Culture Coffee, at the US national Brewers Cup Championship. I couldn’t be more excited and nervous, but the one thing that keeps me focused is, of course, the coffee itself.
Here in the US baseball season has started back up and I can’t help but see some similarities. Baseball is “America’s Favorite Pastime” and coffee, it could be argued, is America’s favorite beverage….well it’s my favorite anyway! But the better analogy I see here is the building of a team that works together, appreciates each other, and strives to help their teammates to succeed. The coffee I’ve used for the past two competitions has been the same: a delicious and delicate coffee from the Haru Cooperative in Southwest Ethiopia. This will be the coffee I take with me to Boston and it’s “Team Haru” who have brought us this far.
For fun, let’s think of these amazing people and equipment as an all star baseball team. (Some of these might be a stretch, but just have some fun with me here!)
The Bench Coach -
(Photo credit, Tim Hill - http://www.flickr.com/photos/counterculturecoffee/6392318557/)
This is the washing station manager of Haru, and with him we worked out a plan to produce some the best coffee possible from this washing station. The coffee I’ve been presenting is Haru and is what we are calling the “Grade 1” lot. We (Tim and the coffee buying team at CCC) committed to buying coffee at a high premium that 1) will be picked absolutely ripe, 2) comes from about 20-30% of the farmers that have great altitude and bring better cherry, and 3) will be sorted out to zero defects.
A great team usually has a solid coaching staff behind it and the “Bench Coach” in baseball is one of the most important coaches in the game. He reports directly to the Manager to report on how the game is going and offers insight to the manager to help him make the right decisions. The manager of Haru is responsible for this meticulous attention to detail and without his direct communication and input, you most likely would not know about this coffee!
The GM —
(Photo credit Tim Hill - http://www.flickr.com/photos/counterculturecoffee/6391559443/)
This is Takele Mammo. Takele is the general manager of the YCFCU (Yirgacheffee Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union). YCFCU is the umbrella organization that helps manage all of the washing stations we currently work with in Ethiopia, including Haru. YCFCU also is the organization responsible for exporting the coffee to us as well.
Like a great ball team manager, his passion and care for his team is evident from the first time you meet him. (I had the chance to meet him earlier this year when he visited Counter Culture Coffee in NC!). He knows what it takes, believes in his players, and is willing to put in the hard work beside them to get them to the pennant.
Welcome to Louisville -
(Photo credit Tim Hill)
There are so many great pictures to show you that Tim has taken during his visits to Haru, so allow me a few more that really hit home for me. What you see above is a representation of the “processing” of the coffee. One of the fun things you learn about coffee when you first get into it is that the beans are actually seeds that grow inside of a fruit. How people go about removing the skin and meat of that fruit from the seed has a huge effect on how the coffee will perform and what flavors from that fruit are enhanced or captured. So let’s go through the steps—
The first picture is someone picking the coffee cherry (only when it’s ripe!) from the coffee shrub. A couple of important things to note here that I learned from Tim… the trees on most of the farms that Tim saw in Haru are of mostly the same variety. He would later find out that there are actually three dominant varieties growing in that region and this is a pretty cool thing and helps us understand better what is building those “classic Yirgacheffe” flavors that we love…you know, that sweet lemon and sugary tea-like snap? The thing I love most about the brews of Haru that I’m preparing is that the flavors that show up remind me mostly of cascara, or coffee cherry tea. I’m literally tasting the cherry in the brewed coffee and IT IS AWESOME! It seriously makes me giddy every time I taste it!
The next picture is one that Tim took of his hand full of coffee that he pulled from the underwater fermentation tank. Once the skin of the coffee cherry is removed, the beans are covered in mucilage. How do you get that off? Well there are a number of way but the most common in this area is to soak the coffee underwater and let the enzymes in the water break the mucilage down naturally. What sets Haru apart is that this is done twice and both fermentations take place anywhere from 36 to 48 hours. That’s a long soak!
Then you see some fellows with rakes standing over a trough full of water and coffee. This is part of the washing process. There are different ways of sorting the coffee and helping to remove any leftover skins and the most efficient, typically, is to let gravity do it’s job…the most dense coffee sinks, the lighter stuff floats.
Next are the drying beds for the coffee after it’s been properly fermented and washed. The 360 degree open air circulation helps even out the drying and also extends the drying time. This is though to help promote those clean crisp flavors and preserve the integrity of the coffee.
This is home. This is where the coffee starts and is born. I think of these places as being the same kind of home where the famous Louisville Slugger baseball bat is made. Baseball legend and lore in America can be tied to a lot of different towns but if I’m thinking about the place that is responsible for producing the very things that make baseball happen, it’s gotta be Louisville, KY.
For Team Haru, it must all go back to these people and their small plots of land where they grow their coffee and the mill where they take their coffee to be processed and cared for. The attention to detail here is critical and it’s what makes Haru such a special coffee.
Keep a look out for the next post —
The Road To Boston, #Team Haru: Part 2!
Tuesday, February 5
musings of a ragamuffin: What To Focus On, and What You're Capable Of.
So, I thought about something very interesting a little earlier. Someone sent me a message that said they were amazed “we were just doing it.” And if I’m honest, I’d say, I’m amazed, too. I can think of two times in the past six months I jokingly posted, “Thank God I’m not gluten-free”, yet here I…
It’s blog posts like this that remind me why I’m glad that @JasonDominy is a partner to us all in the coffee world. Good on ya, man, thanks for this
Tuesday, January 1
Help me get to Santa Cruz to see Jackson Browne!
Ok, so I know this is a little silly but I really like Jackson Browne, tomorrow is my birthday (I’ll be 31), and a month from now Jackson Browne will be playing the 2nd night of his 2013 acoustic tour in Santa Cruz, CA at the Civic Auditorium. I can’t afford to fly myself out to California on my own so I thought I might lean on my friends and see if all of you might be able to help me out. If I don’t get at least 3/4 of my $700 goal, I’ll give you your money back (PayPal!).
You can send any dollar amount to my paypal account at
Jonathan.bonchak@gmail.com
I know there are other things that you could give your money to that would be of better use, but then again, maybe not. Afterall, there isn’t another songwriter like Jackson Browne. His music is important to all of us and I just think it’d be so great to see him live, acoustic, in Santa Cruz. Whatdya say, will you help me out?
Thanks friends!
Tuesday, October 9
: Slingshot Coffee Co. + Cooke Street Carnival
If you are in the Triangle, be sure to make time for the annual Cooke Street Carnival THIS Saturday, October 13 from 1-6 p.m. on Cooke Street in Raleigh. The event features live music, food & art vendors, kids games, art, street performers, a dunking booth and of course…
Tuesday, September 25
Slingshot Cold Brew Fall Seasonal
… Slingshot Cold Brew will keep you happy this fall thanks to the new coffee, Concepcion Huista from Guatemala via Counter Culture Coffee!—
Dark chocolate, stone fruit and a bit of a honey finish… are you ready to taste Slingshot Cold Brew’s Fall seasonal?
This time around I’ve chosen a deliciously appropriate Guatemalan coffee for Slingshot’s Fall seasonal. I brewed this coffee several different ways, and was really happy not…
Sunday, September 9
Eddie Vedder joined Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on “Atlantic City” at Chicago’s Wrigley Field Friday night.
(Source: cantwaitforviolence)
Tuesday, September 4
Hopscotch Music Fest 2012 Day Parties
I keep getting asked how much it costs to go to the day parties at Hopscotch and my answer remains the same… NOTHING! So if you’re hoping to catch some great music but chose not buy a pass to Hopscotch for whatever reason, here’s the full schedule of all the amazing day parties happening in Raleigh this Thursday to Sunday, see you there!!
(Taken from http://www.newraleigh.com/article/here-is-the-hopscotch-2012-day-party-schedule/ - turn to New Raleigh for lots of great info about Hopscotch!)
Friday, Sept. 7
CAM Raleigh - 409 W. Martin St., Noon—5 p.m.
PBR, Port Merch, CAM/now, and Raleigh Denim Present: The Love Language & Friends NC BBQ Jam + HOOPscotch
w/ The Love Language, Lonnie Walker, The American West, The Lollipops, and DJ SPCL GST
North Carolina BBQ, beer, musicians’ charity basketball game, and more!
HOOPscotch proceeds benefit Activate Good. Even if you can’t make it you can donate here!
Hibernian Pub (inside) - 311 Glenwood Ave., Noon—5 p.m.
PineCone Traditional Music, Lonerider, Aviator, and Big Boss Present: Hopscotch @ Hibernian
w/ Big Fat Gap, John Shain, Jason Kutchma, and Randy Whitt
Deep South the Bar: Noon—5 p.m.
Blurt Magazine & Schoolkids Records Hopscotch Day Party
w/ Jenny Besetzt (12:00), Lazy Janes (1:00), Toddlers (2:00), Old Bricks (3:00), Gross Ghost (4:00)
Band + Fan support from Slingshot Coffee
Flanders Art Gallery: Noon—3 p.m.
Bopscotch
w/ The Al Strong Quintet and Yahzarah; special guest host poet Dasan Ahanu
Bopscotch is a jazz-inspired Hopscotch Day Party hosted by The Art of Cool Project
www.theartofcoolproject.com @theaocproject
Hibernian Pub (inside) - 311 Glenwood Ave., Noon—5 p.m. (listed above)
Kings Barcade: Noon—5 p.m.
Three Lobed Records and WXDU Present:
Alan Bishop/Bill Orcutt/Chris Corsano Trio (12:00), Chuck Johnson (12:45), Hiss Golden Messenger (1:25), Oren Ambarchi/David Daniell Duo (2:15), William Tyler (3:00), Wooden Wand (3:45), Gunn-Truscinski Duo (4:30)
Incidental music between sets from Mike Gangloff & Nathaniel Bowles (of the Black Twig Pickers)
Neptunes Parlour: 3:00—5:30 p.m.
Thrill Jockey Records Presents:
Guardian Alien, White Hills, Man Forever
Slim’s Downtown: Noon—5:30 p.m.
Churchkey Records and The Layabout Present: Que Viva!
w/ Spider Bags, Cheater Slicks, Hacienda, Last Year’s Men, Flesh Wounds and The Wigg Report
Sponsored by Churchkey Records, The Layabout, Nice Price Books, and Bull City Burger & Brewery
The Hive @ Busy Bee: Noon—5 p.m.
Grip Tapes Daywalker Disco
w/ LIBRARIES (12:00), Miss Eaves (1:00), Juan Huevos (1:45), RBTS WIN (2:45), Heads on Sticks (3:45)
Hosted by Juan Huevos; DJ’s on the rooftop patio
The Long View Center: 2:00—5:30 p.m.
Hometapes Friend Island III
Surprises coming soon!
The Pour House Music Hall: Noon—5 p.m.
Brooklyn Vegan & Figure Eight Management Present:
Field Report, Flock of Dimes, White Life, and more
Tir na nOg Irish Pub & Restaurant: Noon—5 p.m.
The Old North State Showcase
w/ Gray Young, Naked Gods, The Catch Fire, Temperance League, Red Collar
White Collar Crime: Noon—5 p.m.
Kidnice Entertainment Presents: Assorted Audio
w/ Soul Khan, Brody & Choch, D&D Sluggers, Celebrity DJ Shogun
Saturday, Sept. 8
Hibernian Pub (outside) - 311 Glenwood Ave., Noon—5 p.m.
PineCone Traditional Music, Lonerider, Aviator, and Big Boss Present: Hopscotch @ Hibernian
w/ American Aquarium, Mipso Trio, John Howie & The Rosewood Bluff, Justin Robinson & The Mary Annettes, and Th’ Bullfrog Willard McGhee
Martin Street Party - on the block in front of Mecca, Noon—5 p.m.
Videri Chocolate Factory & AC Restaurants Present: Megafaun & Very Special Guests
Lineup announced the morning of the show
Proceeds to benefit Community Music School
Raleigh Times Bar - 14 E. Hargett St., 11:30 a.m.—5 p.m.
Vertical Urge, PBR, and New Belgium Brewing Present: Party Times
w/ Royal Bangs, Kooley High, Double Negative, Red Collar, Spider Bags, and The Bleeding Hearts
Deep South the Bar: Noon—5 p.m.
Blurt Magazine & Schoolkids Records Hopscotch Day Party
w/ Jeff Hart (12:00), Tonk (1:00), Michael Rank & Stag (2:00), John Howie & The Rosewood Bluff (3:00), Terry Anderson & Olympic Ass Kicking Team (4:00)
Band + Fan support from Slingshot Coffee
Dive Bar: 2:00—5 p.m.
Mann’s World Presents:
Salvacion (2:00), Earthling (3:00), Caltrop (4:00)
Hibernian Pub (outside) - 311 Glenwood Ave., Noon—5 p.m. (listed above)
Kings Barcade: Noon—5 p.m.
Georgia Theatre & Team Clermont Present: Hopscotch Hair of the Dog
Airstrip, Jane Jane Pollock, Easter Island, Grass Giraffes, and more
Get there early for free drinks til the tab runs out!
Martin Street Party - on the block in front of Mecca, Noon—5 p.m. (listed above)
Raleigh Times Bar - 14 E. Hargett St., 11:30 a.m.—5 p.m. (listed above)
Rebus Works: Noon—5 p.m.
Minus Sound Research 7
w/ Boykiller, Waumiss, Le Weekend, ROBES, Good Graces
Featuring Art by Jad Fair (Half Japanese), Patrick Jeffords (Toro y Moi), Chris Millstein (Psychic Ills), Annie Chu (Organos), Vince Carmondy (Strange), Todd Emmert (Inspector 22), John Harrison (North Elementary), Maria Albani (Organos)
Sadlack’s: Noon—5 p.m.
Corbie Hill Presents Let Feedback Ring
w/ Where the Buffalo Roamed, Museum Mouth, Ponchos (From Peru), Johnny Staxx and The Durty Boyz, Onoheim
The Hive @ Busy Bee: 12:30—5:30 p.m.
Phuzz Phest Saturday Shredstorm
Judy Barnes (12:30), Estrangers (1:30), Ramps (2:30), Lonnie Walker (3:30), Woodsman (4:30)
Sponsored by Krankies Coffee, Airtype Studio
The Pour House Music Hall: Noon—5 p.m.
Trekky Records DAY-DREAM:
Midtown Dickens, Brice Randall Bickford, Butterflies, Cassis Orange, Gross Ghost
Sponsored by Starr Hill Brewery
www.starrhill.com
Slims Downtown: Noon—5 p.m.
Slim’s and Red Bull Present:
Roman Candle, Jack the Radio, and more
Tir na nOg Irish Pub & Restaurant: Noon—5 p.m.
ReverbNation Presents:
First Person Plural, The Dharma Body, Luego, Annuals, and more
White Collar Crime: 1:00—5 p.m.
Holy Smokes Showcase
w/ GDFX, Roomrunner, Invisible Hand
Sponsored by WUAG 103.1 FM
Sunday, Sept. 9
Slim’s Downtown: Noon
Slim’s Hopscotch Hangover III
w/ American Aquarium, Shovels and Rope, Naked Gods, and more
Presented by FIREBALL Cinnamon Whisky
Thursday, August 23
Saturday, August 18
npr:
It’s Friday night! Perhaps you have need of a bottle of wine for a nice evening out (or in)? Don’t fret. We at the Discovery News tumblr page have found a way to help you pick. If it looks complicated, that’s because it is.
Infografica dedicata al vino
Good luck with this. — tanya b.
Friday, August 10
In a blender add:
2 bananas, sliced and frozen
2 tablespoons peanut butter (we used Big Spoon Roasters)
1/2 cup Slingshot Cold Brew Summer seasonal (concentrate)
3/4 cup iceMakes approx. 10 ounces.
So. Good.
@tipyourwaitress made this for me.this morning at it was delish! @bigspooners peanut pecan and @slingshotcoffee summer brew
Brian McLaren - "A Fertile Summer for Violence"
—
“Hostility is a great short-cut to building identity. If we know whom we hate, whom we fear, whom we resent, whom we consider inferior, whose wrongs we will never forget, we know — or we feel we know — who we are. Religious and political leaders routinely build identity this way. Even parents and grandparents do it, albeit unwittingly. Because it works. And fast.
But when you plant hostility in the field of identity, the seeds will grow. And you get shooters in Colorado, shooters in Wisconsin, shooters in [insert next site of violence here].
When we realize how our leaders are stirring up hostility against “them” to create a sense of identity and solidarity among “us,” we call them demagogues. And we withdraw our support. But when we don’t realize what they’re doing —and we usually don’t — we keep voting for them, donating to them, revering them, defending them and imitating them. And seeds of violence sprout and grow.”
Thursday, August 9
Kermit
I don’t know if I could possibly love Kermit more now…
: Slingshot + LoMo Market
LoMo Market really is a farmers market on wheels… and Slingshot’s newest retail partner! Starting Saturday, August 11, LoMo Market will have ready-to-drink bottles of Slingshot Cold Brew available for purchase, along with their incredible selection of fresh produce, cheese and other goods.
