The Funky Brewster Blog

Atlas Purveyors in Boulder: Coffee, Tea, and Nosh

2010-11-10T08:15:00.001-07:00

Although we didn't get to experience the "nosh", Kent and I tried both the coffee and tea. Here's what I have to say...

*stop the Coda!!! seriously, it is in so many places now that it might as well be starbucks coffee.
*i felt left out of the loop without a computer and a college paper to write. go CU!
*the atmosphere was OK, not great. Very modern with cute marketing, but then these super ugly chandeliers that are from the 1980's and a funky colored wall that didn't match the rest of the building.
*loved the chalkboard wall!
*the chai (which I'm guessing they make themselves, although I didn't ask) was amazing! Not for your average chai drinker, but super spicy and more for the tea drinker. It was delicious and very unique.

On average, I would not choose this shop to hang out in unless I was a student or a chai addict. 5.25

Kind Coffee in Estes Park

2010-10-30T08:15:00.002-06:00

It's the Kind of place I'd like to own someday. They are locally owned, not into expanding on every corner, and stick to their guns when it comes to their values. Kind coffee is located at the beginning of the main drag on the left side, just a few doors down from Starbucks, and right next to a delicious Mexican restaurant called Ed's Cantina. All of their coffee is organic and fair trade certified, and they roast all of their beans in micro-batches. They also have a lot of fun swag, which I am always tempted to purchase.... this time it was a little coin purse that said, "coffee, the last cheap drug" that won my heart. Back to the coffee, every blend I've had has been consistent and tasty, the baristas are trained well in the art of espresso, although not so much in the category of coffee bean knowledge. I asked one of the girls working what the "Estes Park" blend was made up of, and no one behind the counter knew the answer. That made me sad, but alas, I still love the coffee. When you head up to Estes Park this year, be sure to make this a must on your list of stops. Of course, it's especially wonderful if you are up there in the colder months - October was the perfect time to go, with the Aspens a gorgeous shade of yellow and the cool mountain air just right for a warm, favorite sweater. Kind has a patio to enjoy the clear water from the stream running through Estes Park, also, so make sure to get something hot to warm your hands. This is the epitome of Colorado, everything it should be and the reason I chose it as my home! 9.0

Solid Grounds is Solid Goodness

2010-10-25T08:15:00.000-06:00

I feel that I am a pretty good judge of coffee shops, as I visit more than my fair share. So, when I say that this coffee shop was as close to a 10 as I've seen in a long time, I think it's pretty accurate! Honestly, I wasn't expecting much. The shop is in a run down strip mall behind the McDonald Automotive Hyundai dealership on Broadway, just north of Arapahoe Rd. But I had a coupon, so I decided to check it out. It was SO COOL! The art on the walls, the antique coffee paraphernalia, the pastries from a local bakery, even the bathrooms were nice! It was cozy, but big enough to hold several groups of people, lots of comfy couches and chairs, and the staff was super helpful and smiley. I would venture to say that this is my new favorite coffee shop in Denver, or at least in South Metro Denver (I still have a lot more to try). OK, so all of this was just upon walking in the door. After further investigation, I realized that this was originally a Highlands Ranch coffeehouse run by several non-profit organizations that had gone through a transition into a thriving business. I also discovered that about 5 years ago, this was the coffee shop that offered me a full-time management position that I turned down in favor of Starbucks... what was I thinking?! I know that 5 years ago, it wasn't the right time to take over a small coffee shop in the middle of a big transition, but as you may guess, when I learned that I could have been a part of this sweet space, I had a twinge of regret running through my mind. Oh well, I will have to settle for just hanging out and enjoying the ambiance, the great service, and the swell coffee. Give me a call and let's meet for coffee at Solid Grounds, I think you'll like it! Oh, and by the way, if you have a Chinook Book (kind of like an Entertainment Book for us granola folk) there is a coupon for a free drink. See you there! 9.5

The Wooden Spoon: What do YOU think of?

2010-10-20T15:36:00.005-06:00

I don't know about all of you, but to me the wooden spoon meant a big bad spanking right on my tush! We no longer practice corporal punishment in my house, but I was pretty sure the wooden spoon was not just a dirty word for me growing up, but for thousands of children with mental scars of that darned spoon splintering as it hit their bum.... so when I saw a little shop off of 32nd in the Highlands by that name, I was intrigued. Upon entering the cozy place, I was immediately put at ease, they were certainly not selling spankings, but were in fact a coffee shop and bakery. We ordered our coffees, and spent about five minutes deciding on which pastry to have (there were so many yummy choices). Some of you may know that I worked in a bakery for about a year, and while I retained more than my fair share of calories, I also retained a little knowledge. I'm certainly not an expert, but I know my pastries pretty well, and knew immediately that these were the kind worth savoring. Anyway, I chose a pecan sticky bun and my usual americano to drink. Kent (the huz) chose a decaf latte (don't even get me started on the decaf thing) and a chocolate croissant. All of the pastries are made fresh in the bakery, and the shop is open so you can watch, which is always a mouth-watering experience. They also seemed to know their way around an espresso machine, although their choice of coffee didn't sync with mine (Coda Coffee: good sales team, not so good roasting team). My americano was fair, and Kent was disappointed with the latte, however, the pastries were delicious! So, I will give this coffee shop a 6.5 overall, a little lower than I would like because their pastries are so good, but after all, I am a coffee lover, and need to get over the sweet tooth! Check it out, and don't be scared, your tush is safe.

Fabulous Advertisement from the 1950's!

2010-09-23T21:01:00.003-06:00

Can you imagine? Good thing The Funky Brewster sticks to more contemporary values!

Invisible Coffee Shop = Invisible Sales

2010-09-21T21:43:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, as I was walking around the Taste of Colorado (a terrible experience for me usually because of the bazillions of people everywhere - makes me claustrophobic), I happened to pass by a booth that smelled very strongly of... coffee! It turned out to be a coffee shop called EvoBean, and they were advertising their location on the 16th street mall. Enthused to see a coffee shop willing to be mobile for a weekend, I picked up their postcard and decided I would check it out the next week. According to their advertisement, the shop was supposed to be on the 16th street mall, between Welton and Glenarm. I walked that darned block about 12 times, going in and out of the larger buildings, through the mall, and past the same shops until I finally realized that this place must be invisible. I also took the time to look at the website on my iphone, which did not have the locations listed, and I went to mapquest, to no avail. After spending WAY too much time trying to find the EvoBean and never being able to try their coffee, I have to give them a not so great review. I would also like to point out that any business that spends money on a booth at the Taste of Colorado should probably have a shop that isn't invisible... those booths are expensive!

What the Coffee?!

2010-08-31T14:31:00.002-06:00

Those of you who receive my newsletter may have noticed that I have added an article every month called "What the Coffee?!" I've had a few people ask me where this came from, and why I am using coffee as a swear word, so I wanted to write a quick note to share the story of this phrase. When my oldest son was about three, I heard him one day using the phrase, "what the hell". As you can imagine, I was pretty shocked to hear that come out of my 3-year-old's mouth, so I asked him about it. He told me that I said "heck" was a bad word, and he had heard someone else say "hell". He thought it was a better word to use than "heck". I told him that really, neither one of them was appropriate for a little kid. About a week later, we were running errands, and I hear from the backseat of the car, "what the clifford?!" Since the other two options had been banned from my son's speech, he had decided that he would make up his own phrase, using his favorite stuffed animal as his swear word. Ever since then, my husband and I have used "what the clifford" in place of the original saying. We've also began to use other nouns as a replacement. So, "what the coffee?!" seemed appropriate for a newsletter article that shares different little-known facts about coffee. And that's the story of "What the Coffee?!"

Timber Trail Elementary Event

2010-08-31T07:40:00.002-06:00

The Funky Brewster at Timber Trail Elementary. All of the teachers congregated in the atrium for some caffeine and fun! I love being able to provide a coffeehouse feel for teachers... they deserve the break!

Enjoying some FUNKY beverages.

This guy's maybe had a little too much caffeine :)

Welcome back, Pumpkin Pie Latte!

2010-08-25T13:27:00.002-06:00

I am so excited that it's almost fall! A few days in the past two weeks, I can feel just a hint of the cool, crisp fall air as I ride my bike along the Cherry Creek Trail. Summers are always a little slow at The Funky Brewster, and it has been a great time to reconnect with my hubby and my kiddos, but I am once again ready to hit the road again with some yummy, fall-inspired, Pumpkin Pie Lattes! I have a couple of business items to take care of in this blog...

First, if you would like to sign up for The Funky Brewster newsletter, please go to www.thefunkybrewster.com and get it done! There is always a fabulous coupon, as well as a typo contest... the winners get a free drink delivered in a Funky Brewster mug.

Second, the newsletter this month has a great opportunity for those not in the Denver Metro Area.... free travel expenses! Book any event outside the Denver area before September 30th, and we will waive our travel fees. Please pass the word along, as I would like to see The Funky Brewster spread to Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins in the next year.

Thanks to all for your support and coffee love!
Nicki

Kaladi Bros Coffee and Ben's New Friend

2010-06-23T22:19:00.002-06:00

Brandi and I met today at Kaladi Brothers coffee on University and Evans today. I've been many times, and one thing I am sure of - they DO NOT have enough seating! I have never been able to get a table. However, as Brandi and I sat down and began our meeting at the stools in the front, a woman came in and began talking to Ben. He was sitting beside me tracing letters in The Onion (an ad for a dispensary:), and I gave her a quick nod and a smile as moms often do. We continued with our meeting, and before I knew it, this woman had found crayons and coloring books, and was coloring WITH Ben! It was honestly the sweetest thing. Ben was talking with her about 4-year-old things, asking her name and telling her what he wants for his birthday. She told him that she was a regular customer at the coffee shop, and that she makes ice cream for a living. They hung out the entire time Brandi and I met! So, although I have a lot to say about Kaladi Brothers coffee, this post is for "Claudia who makes ice cream", Ben's new friend. Thanks for entertaining him with such joy and giving during what would have been a very boring hour for him!

Wash Perk Review

2010-06-16T10:16:00.001-06:00

If you head over to Wash Park, then take Ohio about three blocks west, you will run into a quaint little neighborhood coffee shop known as Wash Perk... a play, of course, on both the park itself and our all-time favorite "Friends" hangout, Central Perk. I loved the eclectic style of the shop, with antique tables and chairs, potted plants in an old baby carriage and what looked like a chair with a bedpan in it, and different mugs and cups to drink from. I also noticed that they had many ways for their customers to give back to kids and other organizations in the community. It actually inspired me to brainstorm ways to do the same in my business (more to come on that later). As for their product, I ordered an iced chai, which they make fresh in the store. It tastes very similar to our homemade chai, and was refreshing on the 90 degree day. Brandi had a latte, and enjoyed the attempt at latte art and the flavors. If you're in the neighborhood, give it a try. If you live in the neighborhood, this may be the perfect opportunity for a new home away from home!

TO BREW OR NOT TO BREW!

2010-06-09T10:45:00.000-06:00

To Brew or Not to Brew, that is the question at hand here! Do I brew at home and get a lower quality product tarnished by the water quality of my sink facet and the old grounds I have stored in the freezer or do I go grab a $3.00 cup from a local coffee shop, which I know will be of a certain quality and taste?
This question has popped up in every avid coffee drinker's mind, especially this time of year when your resolution is to save money! This problem can be solved without sacrificing any quality or taste. You just have to know the steps to take to make a quality cup at home. So read on and I will let you in on some secrets to improve your drip coffee-brewing skills.
First things first... Stop buying coffee from a supermarket! You deserve better, and the farmers that put in real time deserve better as well. I bet if you Google a local coffee shop, you will not only find a great atmosphere but you will also find one that offers great prices on whole bean coffee. So when you have found a couple of places to check out there are some things you need to look for. One, do they roast their own beans? If the answer to this question is yes, then see if any of it is fair trade or direct trade - this means that the roasters are directly involved with the farmers, and are ensuring that the farmers are paid fairly. Two, ask them if you can take some beans home to sample or sample a brewed version at the shop. Most coffee companies will already have it brewed or be happy to let you take home a little for you to try - the trick is that you actually have to ask.
Now that you have found a certain bean and roast combination that you will enjoy, all you need are the tools to brew to perfection. Do not keep your coffee in the freezer. This changes the composition of the oils that are naturally in the beans, and kills the flavor. The best place to keep your whole beans and pre-ground coffee is in an opaque airtight container in a dark cool place with a very limited amount of humidity. It is best to grind the beans as close to brew time as possible to get the absolute freshest cup feasible. But if you do not have a grinder at home, then do not purchase more than you will drink in a week. The shop where you purchased the beans will grind them for you based on your method of brewing.
Clean your coffee maker with 1 oz vinegar to 7 oz water, and then brew a small batch that you intend to throw out to get rid of any residue. Use water that is purified to not only protect your brewer from residue build up, but also to give your cup a crisper, unaltered taste. Last but not least is to use a bleached or clean metal filter. I know this may seem a little weird but the fact is that you can really taste the paper flavor of a filter that is not bleached.
You are now ready to measure out your coffee and brew. I recommend using one tablespoon of fresh grounds per cup of coffee that you are going to make until you have an idea of how strong you like your personal cup. Enjoy your own handcrafted cup of coffee, and I will be back next month to discuss different methods of brewing, to bring out even more flavors of your newly found coffee!

Rooster and Moon is the tops!

2010-04-19T10:44:00.002-06:00

So, welcome to my next coffee shop review! Rooster and Moon, down on 9th and Bannock in Denver, has become one of my favorite shops in town. Besides having a lot of similarities to The Funky Brewster in style and taste, they brew a mean Americano. And, if you like a good beer, they are a pub in the evenings! I honestly haven't been there for their nighttime activities, but it sounds like a fun summer place to hang out. They have a lot of windows, so the inside is bright and cheery, and a small patio with tables and chairs if you fancy the outside. Check it out sometime this summer. Oh, and if you have time, walk down the block and across the street to Fashion Denver, a cute little boutique with all local, handmade fashions. Cute stuff and reasonable prices. Have a great summer!

Coffee shop review: Kunjani

2010-03-09T23:28:00.002-07:00

I visit different coffee shops at least three times a week, and I thought I'd share my experiences with those out there who care! So, Kunjani is actually in Parker, and I go there frequently. Today, I had an Americano with an extra shot (my drink of choice), and then a cup of drip coffee. Kunjani is using Coda Coffee I believe, although they don't specifically advertise it on their website or in their store. Coda is a local roaster with some really awesome owners whom I met at the Barista competition a few weeks back. Anyway, Kunjani has several baristas who I recognize as having been there since they opened, which is nice because it gives some consistency to the service. Also, Sid, the manager, was there, and he always has a friendly face behind the counter. If you are into coffee shops for the ambience, this is definitely the place to visit, as there is some beautiful artwork, and is decorated with a rustic Italian theme that comes together well. However, I am never super impressed by the coffee. The americano had a good flavor, but the creme was nearly disappated when I received it. I chose the dark coffee for a refill, and it was missing a lot of flavor. My guess is that the coffee to water ratio was off.

The best thing about this shop is that it's local. My suggestion is to try anything local at least once, and my guess is that you will revisit Kunjani once you've experienced the shop. Although I'm a Miss Picky Pants when it comes to my coffee, I think you'll enjoy a drink from the espresso bar, and it's definitely worth the visit just to experience the gorgeous, homey feel of the store.

Oh, and thanks to Kunjani, parents at Renaissance Montessori Academy will be able to bid on free drinks at our silent auction coming up.... Thanks Kunjani!

Extreme Coffee Roasting

2010-03-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

The Funky Brewster is proud to buy its coffee beans locally from Pablo's Coffee. All of the beans are organic and fair-trade. Locally roasted beans mean a fresher cup of coffee for you.

One of the fun things Pablo's does is micro-roasting. They now have a one pound sample roaster from US Roaster Corp in Oklahoma. This will enable them to try out tons and tons more single origin coffees. Click for photos and video of the machine set up outside on the sidewalk and craftsmen hard at work roasting tiny, tiny batches of coffee with it!

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To Brew or Not To Brew... at Home

2010-02-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

How much caffeine? (repost)

2010-02-06T09:52:00.001-07:00

Did you know that all coffee and tea contains caffeine (naturally) unless it has gone through the process of decaffeination? Coffee contains more caffeine than the same amount of Red Bull, Mountain Dew, or Coca-Cola. Tea contains about half the caffeine in an equivalent amount of brewed coffee.

Approximate Caffeine Content Per 8 Oz. Cup

coffee, 165 mg
decaf coffee, 13 mg
latte or americano, 64 mg
shot of espresso (1 oz), 64 mg
Black Tea, 75 mg
Green Tea, 50 mg
Red Bull, 76 mg
Mountain Dew, 41 mg
Coca-Cola, 26 mg

For more information, see:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/AN01211

http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/numitea/health.d2w/report

There are many health benefits to caffeine and coffee in general. You'll be seeing articles here in the future with more information. For now, The Funky Brewster will be "caffeinating Colorado one funky cup at a time."

How much caffeine? (draft)

2010-02-01T09:00:00.007-07:00

Sorry, there was a posting error with this article. You can view this article here:

http://blog.thefunkybrewster.com/2010/02/how-much-caffeine.html

What is espresso?

2010-01-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

Over the last 10-15 years, espresso coffee has undergone an amazing renaissance. With its origins in the invention of the espresso machine in Italy in 1906, this unique form of coffee has spread throughout the world, with particular strength in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and believe it or not, the Scandinavian countries.

The 'espresso' itself is the starting point for all espresso coffee - by definition, it is approximately 25 ml of coffee extracted under pressure, in 25-30 seconds. A well-made espresso is characterised by a dark, golden crema. A further sign of a good espresso is that the surface tension of the crema should maintain one teaspoon of white sugar on its surface for 3-4 seconds before falling through. Most commonly presented in a small cup under the name 'short black', the espresso then becomes the starting point for many other coffees when added with milk.

These include Caffe Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White [in Australia and NZ] and Macchiato - all basically comprising the shot of espresso and various amounts and qualities of milk. There's also the Ristretto and the Long Black, which are variations of the basic espresso shot, and which don't include milk.

A Caffe Latte is a shot of espresso into a 200-220 ml glass, with densely textured milk added. A Flat White is similar, but served in a smaller cup, and therefore contains less densely textured milk, while a Cappuccino is similar to a Flat White, but typically has a frothier milk texture.

A Ristretto, meaning 'restricted' in Italian, is normally only the first 15mls of extraction, and is served without milk [typically it is sweeter and richer than a 25ml espresso shot].

A Macchiato is an espresso shot 'stained' with a small amount of textured milk [the Italian word means 'to mark, which in this case is what we're doing to the coffee with the textured milk]. Finally a Long Black [commonly called an 'Americano' in the US] is an espresso shot which has hot water added and is served in a larger glass, rather than a small espresso shot glass.

Article By Ashley Felderhof

Crema Magazine http://www.cremamagazine.com.au/index.php is the world's most authoritative coffee magazine. Want to know more about the types of coffee along with pictures and a fuller description of each of the above espresso-based coffees?http://www.cremamagazine.com.au/category/types-of-coffee Our magazine has it all. Read our magazine and join our chat room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Felderhof
http://EzineArticles.com/?Whats-the-Story-With-Espresso-Coffee?&id=1667928

Best Beer and Coffee Combo

2009-12-15T09:00:00.003-07:00

The Funky Brewster is pleased to report that espresso and coffee bean supplier, Pablo's Coffee, received a 2009 nod from Westword for collaboration with Great Divide Brewing Company.

Early mornings are for coffee and late nights are for beer, but the rest of the day? That's for Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout, a powerful seasonal brew from Great Divide Brewing Company that's been infused with espresso from Pablo's Coffee.

Read more at Westwood.

Syrup to Bees

2009-12-01T09:00:00.001-07:00

The Funky Brewster has begun trying to reduce our usage of packaging that harms the environment, and working to source our other supplies in ways that reduce our carbon footprint. We are proud to offer syrup from Monin Gourmet Flavorings.

Monin helps to nourish the environment through the inventive Syrups to Bees initiative. This program helps battle Colony Collapse Disorder, which is greatly reducing bee populations nationwide. In the average diet, one in three mouthfuls directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination of crops. Understanding the importance that bees play in the environment, Monin recycles syrups by providing them to a Florida beekeeper to use as bee feed. To date, Monin has recycled over 72,000 lbs. of syrup as part of the Syrups to Bees initiative.

“From previous workplace experiences, I knew our waste syrup could benefit the environment; the challenge was finding the perfect counterpart,” stated Jason Hicks, Monin Syrup Production Manager and creator of the Monin Syrups to Bees program. “By adapting the Syrups to Bees program, Monin has not only reduced overall waste, but is helping to breed bees to send around the country and help pollinate the world’s crops.”

Soda is SO five years ago

2009-11-01T09:00:00.001-07:00

Coffee, lattes, and mochas are great for any high school event. Not only do students love espresso drinks, its also a healthy choice. Coffee has more health benefits than soda or energy drinks:

its high in antioxidants
reduces the risk of diabetes
keeps you more alert
helps you to focus better
decreases depression in kids
can fight cavities
used in treating asthma and headaches
gives athletes a muscle boost
lattes offer a healthy serving of calcium

Remember The Funky Brewster for your next:

Finals week
Theater Production
Home Game
Fundraiser
Student Event

We also caffeitate teachers and school staffs! Faculty appreciation, staff meetings, etc.

When is a Starbucks not a Starbucks?

2009-10-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

Starbucks has dropped its household name from its 15th Avenue East store on Capitol Hill in Seattle, renaming it "15th Avenue Coffee and Tea" to give it a more neighborhood coffeehouse feel. The shop was slated to close at one point last year but is being remodeled in Starbucks' new rustic, eco-friendly style. Will this experiment be the first of many?

Read more at The Seattle Times.

How to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

2009-10-01T09:00:00.001-06:00

Try this recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Latte:

Begin with a 16 oz. Cup
2 shots Espresso
1 1/4 oz. Monin Pumpkin Spice sryup
Steamed Milk

Add espresso and Monin Pumpkin Spice to cup and stir well. Fill with steamed milk. Top with whipped cream and dust with pumpkin spice or nutmeg.

Recipe Idea from of monin.com

Eco-Products featured on the Inc 500 list

2009-09-15T09:00:00.000-06:00

The Funky Brewster is pleased to announce that one of our suppliers, Colorado's own Eco-Products has been named to the Inc 500 for 2009, an annual list of the fastest growing small businesses in America published by Inc magazine.

View their profile in Inc magazine.

The Funky Brewster has begun trying to reduce our usage of packaging that harms the environment, and working to source our other supplies in ways that reduce our carbon footprint. We are proud to offer cups from Eco-Products.

Green is quite a popular word right now. Everybody is talking about greener cars and greener industries, but one Colorado company is on the cutting edge of the trend literally.

Eco-Products makes everything from disposable knifes to cups and plates out of renewable materials. Instead of using fossil fuels, they use the starch from corn and sugar. Because they use natural ingredients, after the product is used it can be composted.