Who Wants FREE Coffee?

And another coffee snob is inked!

Today is the last day for you to find the easter egg on the Anchor Bay Roasts website.  If you find it you will be entered into the October  drawing to win a package (12C pot) of coffee.


This month's easter egg is literally sitting out in the open for you to find.  In fact, if you CLICK THIS LINK you will be taken directly to the page with the easter egg.  Sorry, all finds after 12am Eastern Time will not count.

And the Winner IS?

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It was a great time as I prepared and served the coffee to about 25 guests at a birthday party last night.  The winner of the night was certainly the syphon pots.  Not only was the coffee served a very rare Indian Monsooned Malabar but the guests saw and smelled the beans as they roasted and ground for the brewing pots.  Their eyebrows shot up a half-inch as when they tasted the goodness of God in their cups.


There was one lady in particular who was not necessarily fond of coffee but her husband was.  As I explained the intricacies of the Monsooned bean, how it was seasoned in a particular monsoon season, and how he will never again taste that particular coffee again because the season is passed and so is the crop - she immediately reached over to taste what was certainly a once in a life time experience.  Needless to say she got inked as a result.

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She got inked?  Yes, everyone who became a snob last night got inked.  Tattooed that is.  As every membership has a ritual so does becoming a coffee snob.  So everyone left with a great memory and experience but also with a new tattoo. Don't worry, it was a temp tattoo because I am a coward where needles come into play. ;-)


If you are ever in the need for a once in a lifetime experience for your guests, please be sure to remember that I will provide you with a coffee roasting demonstration.


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Also, if you have not yet seen our press releases - be sure to check them out below.

Coffee Demo for Birthday Party...

Tonight I am doing a coffee demonstration for a wife's (ahem) 29th birthday party.  First I am serving samples of regular Maxwell House coffee so that everyone can be remind of the norm, then I will be brewing up some Moccca Sanani from Yemen with filtered water.  It will be fun to see how high the eye brows fly up on the foreheads of people when they taste the difference.  I will be percolating & French-pressing the Mocca so people will experience the different tastes in brewing.  I will also be French-pressings some Organic Royal Select Decaf from Peru.  

While all of this is going on I will be roasting a Monsooned Malabar from India.  This will be the crowd-pleaser because not only is it an awesome coffee it will be the freshest coffee that the guests have ever had and I will be making it in Syphon pots.  Can you saw fun?


CHANGING SUBJECTS...


There are only a few more days left for people to find the easter egg for September.  If you want to be entered into the drawing for the FREE coffee, take some time on the Anchor Bay Roasts website and find the easter egg.

Papau New Guinea - Peaberry

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If you have not seen the new Press Release you can click here to see it.  I think it will be worth your time - but I am biased of course.




I roasted one of my favorite beans last night and am getting ready to go brew some now.  It is amazing to me that my coffee excites me as it does.


70% of this crop is used by Australia and Germany so the rest of the world is lucky (and I mean that) to get the other 30%.  It makes this coffee a little more rare in the states.


The flavor of this coffee is absolutely complex as it contains layer after layer of vivid flavors that require palatial separation to be understood.  The first time my wife and I sampled this bean we were floored by the flavors that all swam together in the one cup which seems to be characteristic to the peaberry - my wife described the experience like a dinner plate of food all mixed together needing to be separated.  This coffee is absolutely amazing - Mmmm, I cannot wait.


EASTER EGG!!!  There are only a few more days left for you to find the easter egg on the Anchor Bay Roasts website.  Find it and you will be added to the names in the drawing for this month.

Press Release...

October 23, 2011

Coffee, Tea, & FREE...

Harvest Moon

So I have had to expand into some teas as I am learning that there are haters among us.  Can you believe that there actually are people who hate coffee?  My land, next thing you know people will be marching on Wall Street. :-o

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I discovered these things called Flowering Teas.  They are hand woven flowers with tea that are wrapped up into a ball.  When hot water is poured over the ball it slowly steeps while is blossoms before your eyes.  I must admit, I'm not a tea lover but when I watch this tea open before my eyes I am compelled to at least try it.  I now have this on hand for those rare times when I have people in my demonstrations who don't like coffee.


Have you seen the press release?  In this release the spokes person (me) announces the very big news that Anchor Bay Roasts is open for business.  During the PR you are likely to feel the tears well up in your eyes, but don't worry - I wasn't fired for it. ;-)


Finally...  There is still time for you to find the easter-egg on the Anchor Bay Roasts website and get entered into the drawing for FREE coffee.  So far only 4 people have done it so your odds of winning are pretty good.


Good Luck!

Flowers or Coffee?

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I was thinking today how a husband invited me to do a roasting demonstration at his wife's birthday party.  It dawned on me that any middle school kid can buy flowers to show his affection to his girl but it takes a man with real insight to get his love such a rare treasure for her birthday.  She's going to love it!


Since it is the holiday season, please let me know if I can provide you with some coffee for your special events - your guests will do a double back-flip with a single twist when they taste how good your coffee is.  (You do know that is hyperbole right?)  Take a look at what I have to offer.


If you have not yet taken the time to find the easter egg on the website - lucky for you there is still time.  Go over to the Anchor Bay Roasts website, find that easter egg, and you will be entered in (with the other 3 people) this month's drawing for FREE coffee.

You Guessed Where?

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Yesterday I left you hanging when I told you that my wife got a tattoo and asked if you could guess where she put it.  No, no, she did not put it on her bottom of her left heel - that would just be silly.  Instead, she put it on the back of her neck so that all the people behind her in the line at the grocery store might see it.  Her pixie cut makes this a very strategic place for it too.


There are only 10 more days to go for this month's easter egg.  So far there have only been 2 people who have found it so it could be an easy contest between them.  If you want to look for the easter egg and a chance to win the FREE coffee, visit the website and spend a few minutes reading through and looking for it - it really is out in the open.  Good Luck!


Also, if you have not had a chance to view the 2:20 video press-release I invite you to take a look-see at http://anchorbayroasts.blogspot.com/2011/10/press-release.html.

Anchor Bay Roasts TATTOO!!!

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I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how to make the experience of coffee demonstrations last longer than just the length of time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.  Then it hit me - I'll design a tattoo!  Ha!  That will last longer than a cup of coffee.  So even though I lack a logo I designed a tattoo that everyone will want - a smiley face tattoo.

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So everyone in my immediate family has been marked so far and as I create further posts I will insert pictures of them sporting their new tats.  Then, as more and more people join us coffee snobs at Anchor Bay Roasts I will include their pictures as well.  However, I guess to be fair I need to go first so here I am sporting my new tat.


For the next post I will be featuring my wife's tat - and you will not guess where she chose to sport hers.  I'll post the picture tomorrow.


In the mean-time, have you seen the video of our official Press-Release?  If not, click here to watch the 3 minute video of my recorded live press release.

Press Release...

October 18, 2011

The Sweetest 1 Tenth of 1 Percent (00.175%)

He was casually doing his work and moving along the hall when he noticed it - that smell.  He started walking to find the source when he came upon it - we were brewing the coffee and it smelled like heaven.  He inquired how much he had to pay for a cup but the church told the janitor that he was welcome to enjoy - no charge.  He did enjoy and now he will forever be a coffee snob.


I talked with the janitor at the school where our church meets at length about the attributes of fresh coffee.  Before I left he asked me if there was any coffee that he could buy.  I sold him an extra bag (2 pots for him) and he gave me $3.50 in exchange.  This is the sweetest $3.50 that I had earned to date because he was sold by the smell alone - the taste just sealed the deal.


I have been asked where I plan to find the "coffee snobs" but it appears that they will be finding me.

Do You Know Why Easter Uses Eggs?

No really, I was asking a serious question because I have no idea why the Easter Egg is used for this holiday.  A rabbit does not lay eggs...


However, while we are on the subject of easter eggs, were you aware that there is one somewhere on the Anchor Bay Roasts website?  If you find it you will be entered into this month's drawing for FREE coffee.  BTW, there has only been one person who has found it this month so odds are really in your favor.


Good Luck!

Honestly...

The coffee that I roast is not for everyone - It is expensive and it is not at all convenient.  I know it, you know, and even my 7 year old knows it.


But then again, a Lexus or BMW is expensive and those companies are bold enough to expect their owners to go through the inconvenience of firing uncle Wilbur's Backyard Auto Care service so that they might have their cars properly maintained in their further expensive Service Centers.


As I think about it, I do individually roast single-origin coffee fresh per customer, I do package each order in proper ratio to each customer's specific brewing style, and I do spend a bunch of time roasting each small batch order because I will not make or sell in bulk.  So I guess that while my coffee is more expensive than the stale stuff in the grocery store and more inconvenient than simply tossing a bag into your cart, at the end of the day there are still quite a few people who prefer to drive a Lexus or BMW.


So no, the coffee that I roast is not for everyone.

anchorbayroasts.com

Coffee Like a Great Lake - Improve Your Coffee Part 3

I remember a television show when I was a kid called "That's Incredible" where a guy said that he could identify each of Michigan's Great Lakes by the flavor of the water.  The man claimed that each of the Great Lakes were notable because of the impurities in their water.  And when he was given samples in a blind taste test - sure enough he identified them - 5 for 5.

I say all that to point out that the water that we make coffee with should be filtered-water.  I first learned this lesson when my brother-in-law made coffee using filtered water and I noticed a significant difference in the taste.  Then I really noticed a difference when I used water gathered in a snow storm in my Michigan Snow Coffee trial - it was not good.  It was because of both of these experiences that I can honestly say that you can improve the taste of your coffee by improving the quality of the water that you use.  If you doubt me just make your coffee with

Do I Sell Flavored Creamers?

I was asked this while talking with someone about doing a coffee demonstration for them.  While I was not offended nor insulted I just told the client honestly, "If you are going to add flavoring to my coffee, you might as well save yourself some money and buy something inexpensive at the grocery store."


When I say this, I am not trying to be catty or snobbish but the reality is that the coffee that I sell is not cheap and if someone is just going to put flavoring in it anyway they can save themselves a few bucks and add the flavor to cheaper coffee -   The result would be the same.


The point of Anchor Bay Roast is to help people to experience the coffee that they drink - not the flavors that they add.  Coffee, especially freshly-roasted unadulterated single-origin coffee, has a wonderful flavor and many wonderful characteristics to experience in it.  Tasting coffee (properly called cupping) is akin to wine tasting in my world.  Each cup is to be recognized as a unique experience but helping people to experience their coffee is impossible if they put additives in the coffee that I prepare and serve to them.


Lots of people do not really believe me when I tell them this but good coffee does not need creamer, sugar, and or other flavors to be added because God already put all the flavor necessary in the beans that He created.  All we need is good coffee - And good coffee is often most difficult to come by.

Please Allow Me To Introduce...

I am sorry I forgot to do this earlier...


Please allow me to introduce myself,  my name is John and I roast coffee.  While I will not be so bold as to proclaim my coffee as the best in the world - it is still a very good experience.


Why is it good?  Because while the common coffee bean is a very sturdy product (remaining good after 2 years in its green state if stored in a dry and cool location) it still goes stale in just 2 weeks after being roasted.  This means that the stuff that you purchase is usually stale and often altered in order to maintain its consistent brand flavor.  With my fresh-brewed single-origin coffee it rarely tastes the same from pot to pot but it is always fresh and very yummy (if I am allowed this small boast).


My company is Anchor Bay Roasts and I would like to help you experience your coffee.

www.anchorbayroasts.com

The Coffee Goddess

I needed to roast some coffee for myself today and my daughter wants to learn the art - so I started her on her training.  She roasted her first batch of beans today to a Full-City roast- a Rwandan Bugisu.   This is not my favorite bean and I certainly would not serve it to customers, however it is a perfect bean for learning how to roast with.


She is pictured holding her first batch.  She learned how much bean to put in the roaster, how to assess its color and listen for its two-separate cracks.  As I write this she will not let me forget that we still yet need to grind and brew a cup for sampling.  


Ahhh, my little snob is blossoming...


Please visit anchorbayroasts.com and find this month's easter-egg for your chance to win FREE coffee.  This is the good stuff too, none of the bland stuff.  I figure that when you taste fresh single origin coffee that all other coffee you drink will suffer in comparison.

October Easter Egg

There is an easter egg on anchorbayroasts.com.  


If you locate it you will be eligible for a FREE 2.5oz package of coffee (That's one 12-cup pot).  There has been just one person who has located it so far so your odds are good if you find it.


Last month's easter egg was a bit tricky but this one is right out in the open for everyone to see.  If you cannot find it it is simply because you are not reading the pages.  (oopsies, was that a hint I just let slip?)


Happy hunting!

Coffee Sale...

Hi there.  Today (10/11/2011) I am offering 5 - 12c pots of coffee (12.5oz) for just $15.00 + shipping!


The coffee is a Mocca Sanini from Yemen - and it is fabulous.  The very moment that you first smell this brew you will be returned to the days when you stood over the stove and smelled your grandma cooking chocolate pudding.  As this cup cools you will experience a note of cocoa in the taste like a baker's chocolate - not sweet but rich.  This bean is nutty with a strong earth tone and begs to be experienced.


Email me now to taste this delightfully-and-artfully-crafted fresh-roasted single-origin coffee.

Coffee Like ?- Improve your Coffee Part 2

I wanted to come up with a snappy metaphor for coffee grind that worked but I just couldn't think of one this morning.  I'm sure that I will think of one later in the afternoon but for now - I have nothing...


Another key to improving your coffee at home is to understand the grind that you use.  If you use a process of brewing that steeps or washes your grounds with hot water then you may use a grind that is more course.  However, if the hot water that you use is simply running through the grounds once then you want a grind that is finer.  And further still, if you use a brewing process that mostly blasts steam through your grounds you want to go with a grind that is more akin to dust.


Most people who grind their own coffee at home use a hand-held blade grinder.  The problem with this type of grinder is that the final grind is not very consistent and the blades tend to heat the beans and further cook them. However, if you would have further control over the grind that results then you will want to look into a burr-mill grinder.  These are a few dollars more but certainly worth it if you are seeking a better cup of coffee.

October Easter Egg...

There is an October easter egg on the www.anchorbayroasts.com website.  If you find it you will be entered in the drawing for the FREE pot of coffee.  The egg is obvious so the only reason you would not be able to locate it is because you really are not trying.


Good Luck!

Coffee Like Motorcycles - Improve Your Coffee Part 1...

Ratio is a key to good coffee.  


When I had a 4-wheeler with a 2-stroke engine I had to mix oil with the gas.  There was a certain percentage of oil that had to be added to the gas for the engine to run properly: Add too much oil and it smoked - Add too little and it seized.  Coffee is the same.  Add too much coffee to your water and it is too strong (I know, hard to do but follow me here will ya?) - add too little and you're lucky to get bad tasting tea.


What ratio of grind:water do you use to make coffee?  You have likely learned that you just throw so many scoops in and hit the button right?  Try weighing your coffee.  I know this is a pain but really, you will thank me.  


1. Find out how many ounces of water you use in a pot of coffee.  
- Cups of coffee are 5 ozs. each.  So if you have a 12-cup pot you have (12 * 5) 60 ozs. of water.  


2. Now multiply the ounces of water with .042 ...  This results in a number that indicates how much grind (by weight) to use for your pot.


- 12 C = 2.5 oz
- 10 C = 2.1 oz
- 8 C = 1.7 oz
- 6 C = 1.25 oz
- 4 C = .85 oz
- 3 C = .65 oz
- 2 C = .40 oz


As a disclaimer, coffee tastes are subjective so you may be used to just heaping the coffee grind into your maker as drinking strong coffee.  Using the lower ratio may indeed make you think that the coffee is too weak.  Actually, your coffee is fine it's just that your 2-stroke engine is not smoking as much.

How To Buy My FRESH Coffee...

I have had a few questions about how a person can buy the coffee that I roast.  So I thought that I had better explain.

First, I will not sell more coffee to you than what you actually think you will use in 14 days.  The reason for this is simple - fresh coffee is the goal.  If I were to sell you a month's worth of coffee, this would be good for my cash-flow as a budding business but selling bulk like that ensures that my coffee would be stale at some point when you consume it.  Coffee (as the Brits put it) "goes off" in just 14 days.  I believe that if you were to taste my coffee stale you would think to yourself, "Huh, this coffee does not taste any better than the stuff that I buy at the store."  So by limiting the quantity that I will sell to you at one time I hope that you will never have a stale cup of coffee from Anchor Bay Roasts.

Second, Anchor Bay Roasts is governed by what is called the Cottage Food Law of 2010.  The law states that I may not sell my coffee online or through a distributor of any kind.  The idea is that the end consumer of the coffee must have a direct line of contact to me in case there is ever any complaint.  I have written more about this on the website so please go there if you desire more info.

In the end, I may indeed be shooting myself in the foot by not selling large quantities of coffee to the people who request it but one of my core values is to make sure that every cup of coffee that you get from me is fresh.  Because really, if all you want is the standard stale cup of coffee you can just pick some up at your local grocery store and save yourself some time and money.

September Easter Egg Winner...

There were just four people who found the easter egg for the month of September, the winner is Denise from New Haven, MI. - Denise, you will be getting your FREE coffee ASAP and thanks for playing.  As for the 3 runners-up, I have a consolation prize for you but don't get too excited, it is cheesy and I am still waiting for it to arrive around the 18th of October.  When it comes I will mail it to you.


Now, there is also an easter egg on the website someplace for the month of October.  I plan to make this one easier because I actually want people to play.  People who find it will be entered into the October drawing for FREE coffee.  And if I failed to mention it earlier I should mention this disclaimer now, I will only ship the FREE coffee to the contiguous 48 states.


Good Luck!