Storm Black Bear - HAPPYROCK COFFEE ROASTERY-- Gladstone, Oregon

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:   10
Balance:  9
Flavor:     9
Smoothness: 9

Likes:  
            Earthy
            Hint of Smoke
            Smooth
            Herby
            Bold

Dislikes:  
             Slightly Ashy


Summary:  It is dark, wet and stormy here in Portland, Oregon.  Thanks to Danny, I have the perfect coffee to brew.  He gave me an early Christmas present of coffee beans from HAPPYROCK Coffee Roastery.  A Black Bear Storm is brewing in my Aero Press.   Grrrr.......

Although there is a bear on the label, this coffee does not bite.  It is fairly smooth and very dark.  The only negative is that after sipping two cups I have an ashy aftertaste in my mouth. With a little cream and sugar........ all is better.

  I ground the beans in my Burr coffee grinder on the #2 setting and used 160* water in the Aero Press single serve coffee maker.


Overall score:   9

Yummy !!!!!

                  

465 Portland Ave
Gladstone, OR 97027

 

Sumatra - Press Coffee Roasters - Phoenix, Arizona

Preparation:  Chemex

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:      9
Balance:    8
Flavor:      8
Smoothness:  8

Likes: Bold
            Rich
            Chocolate
            Cherry

Dislikes:   Heavy on the finish
                 Acidy


Summary:    This is a very flavorful coffee!  I had a cup made using the Chemex method at Press Coffee in north Scottsdale and really enjoyed it.  This way of brewing creates a very clean and crisp cup of coffee.

 

Chemex Method

Press Coffee Roasters offer three different ways to brew a single cup of coffee.  Below is their list that is posted on the wall......

 Although, I enjoyed the coffee brewed the Chemex way, I also want to try the Clever and v60 brewing to see if there is one that I prefer.  Also, I bought the Sumatra beans to use in my Aero Press and plan to compare the two methods for flavor and richness.  Generally, I really like a coffee that has the full flavor of the beans and have found that different brewing, grinding and temperature can make a big difference in the experience of capturing the complete flavor of the final outcome......a perfect cup of Joe!

Summary:  This was my second time to Press Coffee at the Scottsdale Quarter in Arizona.  It is a welcoming and friendly place and the staff has always been friendly and very knowledgeable.  I definitely recommend you stop by and get a coffee to go or stay awhile and have fun people watching!

Overall score:  8
 

Early Edition - Press Coffee Roasters - Phoenix, Arizona

Preparation:  Aero Press and Cuisinart

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    9
Balance:  8
Flavor: 7
Smoothness: 8

Likes:
    Medium Roast
    Sweet
    Flavorful
   

Dislikes:
     Slightly bitter
     Acidy
     Tobacco Flavor

Summary:  A+ for the packaging!  My girlfriends went straight for this coffee because of the imaginative picture on the label.  All about marketing, except if the product is not what you like once you try it.  No amount of cute labels will bring back a customer if the product is not great.

This is a very good coffee.  The beans were fresh and the aroma inviting.  It is a medium roast with hints of tobacco.  The flavor was intense and memorable.  My friend Crisitna really did not like the flavor and could not drink it at all.  I think it was the tobacco taste that turned her off.  Actually, even though I enjoyed and appreciated this coffee, I would not buy it again because of the aftertaste.  

Kerri and I each ordered a Macchiato and not only did it taste fantastic, but it was a true work of art by Jason!  Check it out:

Jason's Artistic Talent Shines

 

Jason

Press Coffee Roastery has a nice modern vibe to it and the staff is knowledgeable and friendly.  I would definitely come back and try one of their other coffee roasts and explore the different ways they make a great cup of coffee.

 

Overall score:   8

Princess of Darkness - Ideal Coffee Roasters- Toronto, Canada

Preparation:   Aero Press Coffee Maker

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:     10
Balance:    9
Flavor:     10
Smoothness:   9

Likes:  Salty
            Savory
            Ripe Blackberries
            Flavorful
            Hint of Hazelnut

Dislikes:
  

Summary:   I purchased the Princess of Darkness coffee beans at Ideal Coffee Roaster in Toronto, Canada when we went to see Danny.  After I returned home I did my taste test and I liked this coffee a lot and actually found it to be more flavorful and complex than the Prince of Darkness.  This is a great dessert coffee that you can add cream and sugar to without sacrificing any of the flavor.  If you get a chance and have to choose.........stick with the Princess!!!  


 
Overall score: 9

Sidamo - Village Coffee Roasters - Scottsdale, Arizona

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:      4
Balance:    3
Flavor:      2
Smoothness:  3

Likes:  

Dislikes:   Acidity
                 Ashy
                 Bitter
                 Cigarette flavors


Summary:  So far I have been unable to find great coffee or coffee beans in Arizona.  I will keep looking, but I am getting the feeling that this town is still mainly a Starbuck town.  To me, Starbucks doesn't count.

I did not like the Sidamo coffee roasted at the Village Coffee Roastery.  I tried it two different times on two different days and still had the same experience.  It is not clear to me if it is the actual beans that I do not care for or if it is the way they are roasted.

The cafe itself was warm and inviting and it had a pleasant buzz.  It was busy on this Sunday morning and a man was playing a guitar in the corner of the room.  I ordered a Macchiato.  It was just .....  OK.  The lady who took my order kept asking me if I was sure that is what I wanted.  She explained that  most people who come in to the Village think a Macchiato is a carmel type latte with whip cream.  I kindly let the nice lady know that I was fully aware of what a "true" Macchiato is and that would be exactly what I would like to have.

Unfortunately, it didn't taste great and it didn't have any kind of artistic design.   Instead, there was just a blob of milk foam........

Blob

Blob

 

 On a side note.......I ordered a blueberry muffin and it was outstanding.  It was moist and flavorful.  Definitely worth stopping by just for that.   Actually, all of their pastries looked delicious!!! 

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Overall score:  3
 
***The best Macchiatos I have ever had are in Portland, Oregon and Toronto, Canada.
***Macchiato - an espresso shot that's been dotted with a dollop of frothed milk.
*** Ethiopia Sidamo is grown in the Kaffa region in the Sidamo province of Ethiopia, where coffee was first discovered over a thousand years ago.

Darkness of Divinity - HAPPYROCK Coffee Roastery - Gladstone, Oregon

I See The Moon

Preparation:  Aero Press

Scores:  Scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being excellent

Aroma:    9
Balance:  9
Flavor:     9
Smoothness:  10

Likes:  Dark, Dark, Dark
            Earthy
            Hint of Almond
            Very Smooth
            Bit of Honey
         

Dislikes:  Too Mellow


Summary:  This is a very DARK roasted coffee!!!  It is mellow, smooth and easy.  I ground the beans in my Burr coffee grinder on the #2 setting and used 160* water in the Aero Press to make this unique cup of Joe.  There is not a punch of flavor at the end that you usually get with a medium or light roast, but it is still very enjoyable.  I would definitely get these beans again, although I believe my palate is changing a bit.  


Overall score:   9

*** My next trip to Oregon will include a trip to HAPPYROCK Coffee Roastery.  It sure has great reviews on Yelp.  You can check them out at :

465 Portland Ave
Gladstone, OR 97027

 

HAPPYROCK Sitting on a rock in AZ