Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Bottomless cup


MUG: Waechstersbach from Germany. Fun Line? I noticed they recently added to their website a statement that they invented the "can style" coffee mug (as seen above). Sounds right to me. They have certainly perfected it.

COFFEE: Light roast (lighter than usual, perhaps too light) Colombian Supremo.

NOTES: Twenty eight years ago today, in Denison Texas on November 28th, 1984, I drank from a cup that quenched my thirst forever, a cup that is never empty and always flowing. It caused my hair to stand on end.

It remains a big deal.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Good coffee. Happy man.


MUG: Waechtersbach from Germany. 'Nuff said.

COFFEE: Colombian Supremo Estate from Barrett's Microroasters.

NOTES: Happy Thanksgiving, all.

We give you thanks, almighty God, for all the benefits you have given us. You, who live and reign forever.

Friday, November 16, 2012

On the Beach


MUG: Previuosly featured Starbuck's™ branded hybrid mug. Stainless-steel exterior provides an insulating void around a ceramic drinking vessel. Great lip-service (literally), nice rubber handle, and a spill-resistant lid. A nice mug for certain occasions.

COFFEE: Guatemalan Antigua from Barrett's, replacing the standard Colombian. The taste-recalibration project is almost at an end.

NOTES: On the beach at Galveston Island, on a balcony of the Commodore Hotel. The coffee was brewed with my new Road Trip Koffee Kit, which consists of a yellow-orange Swedish-made Koffi™ plastic Melitta-filter cone dripper (that I've had for over thirty years), a Stanley™ vacuum bottle (that I've had for three years), and a bright pink electric kettle (that I've had for a week or so). I bring pre-measured zip-lok bags of ground coffee and bottles of Ozarka™ spring water.

Here's the kit in action.



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Another Roadside Distraction


MUG: Styrofoam-paper hybrid cup? I'm not sure what the composition of this McDonald's McCafe cup is, but it's thick foam, with a very nice thick-rolled lip and a bonded paper wrapper. Good tactile experience (for a paper cup).

COFFEE: Nope. Hot(?) chocolate at McDonald's.

NOTES: It's 10:30 p.m. in Belton, Texas, on a drive back to Hays County from attending a concert at Baylor University in Waco. The day started in Galveston. We are exhausted. A 5-Hour Energy Shot propelled me from Kyle to Waco (walked into the auditorium 3 minutes before the performers took the stage), but its effects are wearing off, with 80 miles to go before I sleep... and I want to sleep once I get home. Hot chocolate at Starbucks is on my menu, as a small caffeine boost should get me through the I-35 gauntlet without keeping me awake all night.

I missed the exit to Starbucks in Temple. As punishment, I get a too sweet, luke-warm 'Swiss Miss-ish' beverage further down the road. It is appreciated, and sufficient for the last leg of my journey to bed.

I survived the drive to post this.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Rainbow Warrior


MUGS: An inexpensive ceramic mug and a more expensive ceramic/stainless steel hybrid travel mug.

COFFEE: Guatemalan Antigua (the taste-bud recalibration continues).

NOTES: Road Trip Koffee Kit, consisting of mugs, just-ground coffee, spring water, Melitta-type filter holder (Koffi brand from Sweden), #3 Melitta filters, Stanley thermal bottle, and an electric water kettle. We are headed to Galveston Island for a couple of days, and I am not leaving the morning coffee up to chance.

See all the pretty colors?