Second Melitta Mill & Brew Broken

Back in episode 4 I proclaimed my love for the Melitta Mill & Brew. Even then I knew this day would come. The little plastic hook holding the grinder lid down snapped and fell into the grinder basin. Without this hook, the grinder doesn’t grind and the water doesn’t get near the grinds. Basically, this …

First Crack 37. From Betty’s Bikes & Buns

A big thanks to everyone that helped keep Betty’s open. Betty’s is a great independent coffee shop and I’m happy to see the community pull together and keep it open. Tom Roe owner of Betty’s Bikes and Buns and I talk motorcycles, community, and the best coffee in Minneapolis. The First Crack podcast website has …

First Crack 36. The First Home Roast of the Spring

In celebration of the first great day of spring, I dust off the West Bend Poppery and roast up some Aged Sumatra. Then brew up some iced coffee in my Toddy Maker Cold Brew Coffee Maker. Things mentioned: Home Renovation Coffee by Kenneth Davids Listen to the First Home Roast of the Spring [12 min] …

First Crack 20. The One True Barista with Sam Buchanan

Sam Buchanan from the Afongen.com weblog and I checkout the newest Dunn Bros on east Lake (just blocks away from the Blue Moon), and discuss his history from barista, to roaster, to Java programmer. Other things to listen for: The history of afong Why Guatemalan coffee is the best Sam’s quest for the One True …

First Crack 19. Coffee and Community at the Blue Moon

Cindy, owner of Minneapolis’ Blue Moon and Second Moon, and I discuss the community value of independent, neighborhood coffee shops. Listen for a patron-thwarted robbery and why coffee should come in small cups. I end the show with “Don’t Tell a Soul” by the Revamps. For more on them, drop lead man Darren Harff a …

First Crack 17. Belgian Coffee, Beer, and Chocolate with Lewis Dijkstra

The best places for coffee, beer, and chocolate in Brussels, Belgium from Lewis Dijkstra. Things discussed: De Boe Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier Michel Cluizel Chocolatier Belgian Beer Chimay Orval Rochefort Westmalle Westvleteren Achel Geuze Brewing process Listen to Belgian Coffee, Beer and Chocolate with Lewis Dijkstra [28 min] Intro: Tod Maffin & Sean from I Love …

First Crack 16. Interview with a Roastmaster: Greg Beale

Greg Beale, a Dunn Bros. Coffee roastmaster, and I roast 8 pounds of Colombian beans, discuss holiday brewing tips, and the local flavors of the Dunn Bros shops. Intro: PodCat from PodCat’s Daily Best of Podcasting. Listen to Interview with a Roastmaster: Greg Beale [38 min] Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? …