When: Saturday, April 4th at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Arizona Coffee celebrates 4 years this year, and to celebrate we’re going to have a little meet up at Cartel Coffee Lab.
Where: Cartel Coffee Lab
225 W University Dr
Ste 101
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 225-3899
There were 11 contestants at the Cartel Jam on March 3rd and I counted roughly 75 attendees (people kept coming and going, so the number could have been greater).
I took a bunch of photos, some of which are included here for posterity. I’ve included the names where I know the name. More photos including full size pictures are on my Flickr profile.
I focused exclusively on getting photos of the baristas, and as a result I don’t have photos of the latte art. I believe someone else was taking photos of the latte art.
Hi folks! I’m thrilled to let you all know that Drip Coffee Lounge has become a sponsor of Arizona Coffee. Drip Coffee Lounge is a coffee shop in Phoenix owned by Gina Madrid. Next time you are near 7th St & McDowell stop in!
Drip Coffee Lounge
2325 N. 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85006
Phone: (602) 795-9905
Joseph Mains writes:
Hi everyone. I’m taking this opportunity to thank everyone who came out last night for the throwdown. While it’s always nice to see coffee people congregate (and to see friends met at the past throwdown in January!), I, in particular, want to thank you for your generosity. Without last night’s fundraiser, I would not have been able to make the trip to Portland to compete in the US barista championship. I look forward to doing my best out there and hope to make all of you proud and to help build the scene around Arizona. Be sure to stop by Cartel once we’re back from the competition so I can make you an espresso and put a Portland story in your ear.
xoxo, Joseph
Good luck Joseph and to Jason who are competing. Anybody else competing from AZ?
Cave Creek has quite a number of gems and one new one is Firecreek Coffee Roastery. It opened in February and the day I visited had quite a steady stream of customers.
The shop is divided into four sections: Coffee house, coffee roastery, espresso machine repair / parts shop, and offices. It also has an impressive outdoor patio surrounded by a great desert garden. The surrounding buildings house art galleries, so the whole area is sophisticated in nature.
View of the coffee shop from the outdoor patio.
Founder Mike Funk
My beautifully crafted latte. No porcelain cups?
Tonight! Tonight! Tonight!
Cartel Coffee Lab
225 W. University Dr.
Suite #101
Tempe AZ 85281
Email: jason@cartelcoffeelab.com
Phone: (480) 225-3899
Update: Winners!
1st Place: Keith (he doesn’t work at a coffee shop, but apparently used to work for Ritual). He had 40 points out of possible 50.
2nd Place: Jason Calhoon from Van Go Coffee (Tucson) with 36 points @jasoncalhoon
3rd Place: Christina from Bunna Coffee with 30 points (out of 50 possible).
I recently had the chance to meet David Anderson of Cave Creek Coffee Roastery. David has been in the coffee business for a long time, and co-founded Cave Creek Coffee Company which was sold in July 2007.
After that, he couldn’t stay out of coffee for long and shortly thereafter opened the new coffee roastery. Customers include coffee shops around the state, restaurants and cafes, as well as direct customer sales.
Cave Creek Coffee Roastery has 2 roasters. A Probate and a San Franciscan. Both with laptops set up with various roast profiles.
Photo of the Probate machine.
Photo of the San Franciscan.
So far I’ve been drinking the house blend. Really good.
Green coffee beans.
The outside lounge area at the roastery. Complete with a BBQ!
Indoor view of the roastery & cupping area.
David Anderson was one of the earliest readers of Arizona Coffee, and would often email with news of coffee in Cave Creek. David Anderson is also a new sponsor of Arizona Coffee. Thank you for your support!
Cave Creek Coffee Roastery
37611 N. Cave Creek Road
Suite B
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 488-6060
I hadn’t been to Mama Java’s in about a year and stopped by with a friend the other day. Here’s a photo of my cappuccino.
It was really disappointing. I actually didn’t even finish it.
#1: I asked for a small cappuccino. Seriously? The size of this drink is a latte. You can see my muffin on the other dish.
#2: What is up with those bubbles? They’re the kind of bubbles I like to see when I use soap to mop my floor. Not to drink. Real cappuccino bubbles are called micro foam for a reason. Take a look at this photo for comparison.
#3: I am really disappointed with the consistency around Phoenix when it comes to cappuccinos. While one place does them great, the next five don’t. It’s time that coffee shops get real. Maybe I’m just spoiled after my trip to Italy where almost every cappuccino was amazing.
I also ordered an iced mocha (pictured above) which was quite delicious and was my consolation prize.
