Coffee is one of my few vices I truly never hesitate when it comes to indulgence. I’m not talking spending big money for the smoked-blended-iced-caramel-thing. No, I’m talking true, real coffee – the stuff that gives you a nice wake up when needed without the harsh bitterness of the mass-produced. It was in college that I found my love for this deeply roasted nectar when I worked for a small coffee roaster, learning everything from how to roast, temperature variations, blending, and pulling the perfect shot. Those were simpler times, but my love of coffee has not changed.

In those days, I was the biggest fan of single origin coffee, especially Ethiopian and Costa Rican. Just like wine, you can tell so much about a coffee plant when you taste a single origin. Now, let’s get something straight – coffee should not taste like the black tar that our parents would drink or that you find at the local gas station. You should not need sugar or flavors to make it taste palatable. Good coffee, when treated right, will unravel its flavors in a very dynamic manner, and roasters like Alumbre Coffees have caught my interest when it comes to my morning cup (or three) of Joe. Not only does Alumbre have some incredible single origin coffees, but their blended variety is nothing to miss as well.

I’ve been tasting a whole slew of the coffees from Alumbre over the past few weeks, so let me point you in the direction of the ones I just love.

Ethiopian – Yirgacheffe – Roasted Medium

When I say I love Ethiopian single origin coffee, I mean I will buy it no questions asked when I see it light or medium roasted on a shelf. The Alumbre is no different. This Ethiopian single origin coffee takes me right back to why I fell in love with coffee, delivering some incredibly bright notes of lemon and lightly roasted berries. Taking a sip, the lemon hits the tip of my tongue before transitioning into the smokiness coming off the roasting process. This is a slower roast for sure, and even at a medium temperature and color, still maintains a brightness and almost lightness to the whole sip.

French Roast, Dark

I cold brewed this batch of coffee and do not regret it one bit. Deep, dark tobacco notes on top of the heavy smoke from the long roasting time made this an incredible coffee to have in the morning. I loved looking into the coffee grinds while in the water and seeing the oils from the roasted beans floating on top, waiting to be mixed in with a quick stir for my next cup. The notes on the French Roast are very sudden, hitting hard with the dark caramel and smoke, transitioning smoothly to a heavy tobacco sweetness before mellowing out. The little oils collected in the cold brew process left a great sweet aftertaste that made me come back for more.

Colombia, Alma Del Cafe De Jardin®, Medium Roast

Honestly, I have never been a big Colombia coffee fan – it’s delicious, but never blew my socks off. But, that said, Alumbre delivers one of the best Colombian coffees I have ever had. There was a hint of roasted cedar in the bag, and as it sat brewing in my French press I watched as the mid-dark color enveloped the water while this semi-sweet aroma floated off. But the taste is where I was amazed; it starts with a semi-sweet chocolate and smoked cedarwood, but then the cedar drops away leaving the chocolate to linger. Yes, yes, in every way, yes. I was sold on my first cup of Colombia coffee, but clearly not my last.

I might have a bit of a fascination with coffee, and will admit I am a bit obsessed with different varieties and roasts, and Alumbre Coffee has kept my interest for sure. It could be their countless investments into the community, the focus on the environment and maintaining the craft roastery feel, or the fact that because Alumbre is an exclusive brand, they take their time to really make the coffees perfect. It probably all of those combined and more to be honest, and that’s something I can stand behind.  And all it takes is a simple Sign up to get started, to start enjoying coffee as it should be enjoyed.

So think about that next time you’re picking up a bag of coffee or sipping a gas station brew; don’t you deserve coffee with flavor? Discover Alumbre as I did. Let your taste buds be free.

Try Alumbre today.

The post Don’t You Deserve Coffee with Flavor? appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

We can’t live without it. That black, natural gold that powers us every day and night. Delivering all the energy we need to get that boost for the next hill, the dark color, and deep aroma is just what we need. It’s everywhere too, from the local shop to the national chains on every corner.

Let’s talk coffee. Discover Alumbre

In a past life, before the cars, tech, and travel, I was a coffee roaster for a small, local shop that has since closed its doors. While working for the master roaster, I learned more about coffee than I ever thought possible, from roasting temperatures, blending, cupping, fermentation, bean aging, and the now-obvious regional differences. I developed a taste for well-made coffee, but was often forced to accept sub-par, mass produced blends that lacked personality. Yes, they had the elements of coffee, but none of those nuances that made each bean unique. And if you are going to treat your coffee like a mass-produced product, then you might as well be using sub-par practices as nothing saves those beans from that sad fate.

I accepted that dark, tasteless fate. I missed the old ways. And so have you as you sit in your chain store, drinking your something-or-another-blended-whatchamathing. When is the last time you tasted…truly tasted coffee?

That’s where craft, exclusive roasters like Alumbre Coffee are stepping up, meeting that want and desire to have something more to our morning than a boring cup of joe. Named after the Alumbre River, which flows from the Tarrazu region through one of the world’s most exclusive coffee-producing regions. The brand first planted its coffee in 1968 near the beautiful Alumbre, and it has become a symbol for the company and its superior quality. The roaster providing ultra-premium coffee, they are focusing on sustainability in their farms while investing heavily into the communities, environment, and people who work for them.

This is a big step from the standard, available-everywhere chains, with Alumbre’ commitment all around. Not only is all weed cleaning done by hand, but they have also invested over $100,000 into local schools in Colombia.

We could go on, talking about the incredible benefits the employees all receive, the no-cost dental and medical care clinics for the employees of Costa Rica, but the point is clear – with counter-boring coffee are companies like Alumbre that are rising above the norms to provide more than coffee but a true living and investment into the future of their market.

Trust me when I say the investment is worth it when it comes to flavor and taste. My favorites have always been single origins, and Alumbre’s Ethiopian and Costa Rica roasts have hit that spot I’ve been missing with bright flavors that open up on the tongue while hitting the smooth, roasted tones I love in coffee. Each bean is hand roasted to just the right degree of perfection. Truly an artisan coffee. Think about that the next time you go in and spend an arm and a leg for a basic, mass-produced bag of coffee from the next big chain, or as you sip your overpriced coffee milkshake. What has that company done for not only their people but their natural source of product?

Vote with your conscience. Sign up. Vote with your wallet. Enjoy the taste.

Try Alumbre today

The post Let’s Talk Real Coffee appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

LocoNut is a straight-up coconut infused variant of Captain Morgan’s perennial spiced rum. The coconut imagery hits you over the head early with a coconut shaped and styled bottle that even smells like a coconut itself (yes the bottle is like a scratch and sniff sticker). The best way to serve it is by shaking well with ice in a metal shaker and serving as shots. I recommend enjoying the shot a bit at a time versus downing it in one go: the coconut and milky flavors work well with the spiced rum base and the low 20% abv makes this a refreshing and easy to handle after dinner sipping drink. I actually made the shot for my wife and her friend that she was going out with for the night, and they both LOVED the easy drinking nature of the shot and it’s pleasing flavors. Another way to enjoy LocoNut is to mix 2 parts of it in an ice filled shaker with 1/2 part Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, serving in an ice-filled cocktail glass. This gives the drink a bit more kick and standard Captain Morgan notes.

Overall Captain Morgan’s LocoNut is a pleasing take on spiced rum that is easy and fun to drink, especially for for those who get turned off by straight liquor or liquor heavy cocktails. Plus, Loconut retails for about $15, so it is a safe bet when it comes to diversifying your home bar and bringing home something everyone will enjoy.

The post Captain Morgan’s LocoNut Makes a Great Rum Drink appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Ocean Grove Lodge, Trinidad, 480 Patricks Point Drive, Trinidad, California 95570

Tucked away just off Highway 101, this place is about as NorCal as you can get. The back deck looks out over a Redwood grove, and the dingy décor is representative of the region’s distinct mash-up of hippie and redneck. A surfboard is propped behind a wood stove, and a few dusty Jamaican flags hang on the wall next to a poster that makes the chilling announcement that Dancehall Monday is coming up. Meanwhile, the regular looks like an extra from the Dukes of Hazard and the bar sells t-shirts that say: Trinidad: A Drinking Village with a Fishing Problem. Bonus: if you get too ensconced, you can always stay at the attached hotel.

The Brass Rail, Redway, 3188 Redwood Drive, Redway, CA 95560

The Brass Rail was originally a bordello, a legend that’s supported by the decor: a grand old bar backed with red flocked wallpaper. Because the area attracts migratory workers who come to process or “trim” weed, the clientele tends to be a mix of camo-wearing locals and “trimmigants” from Germany, Australia, and Portland.

The Blue Room, Garberville, 747 Redwood Drive, Garberville, CA 95542  

Garberville is the classic weed boomtown, and the main drag is choked with growers in muddy pick-up trucks, trimmers in vans, and hapless hitchhikers begging for dog food, beer money, and “kind nugs.” The Blue Room offers a welcome retreat, a dim oasis with stiff drinks and taxidermy.

Everett’s Club, Arcata, 784 9th Street, Arcata, CA 95521 

Everett’s is surprisingly clean for a dive bar, but has the rest of its credentials in order, including a veritable herd of elk and deer heads, an old school jukebox with a crappy selection of CDs, and a truly impressive collection of commemorative ceramic whisky decanters. Lest you forget where you are, the front door affords a view of the Arcata town square, which will no doubt be populated by dready trimmers in yoga pants.

Pat’s, Guerneville, 16236 Main Street, Guerneville, CA 95446

Guerneville is an up-and-coming vacation spot, but Pat’s hearkens to the town’s trashier roots. The decor is a mix of weird paintings and beer paraphernalia, the bartenders are entertaining, the drinks are extremely stiff, and the CD jukebox has a good selection of classic bar tunes. As if this wasn’t enough, the attached cafe serves Korean fried chicken that’s addictive like crack. (The restaurant is only open till 2 p.m. and closed Monday and Tuesday.)

The Casino Bar and Grill, Bodega, 17000 Bodega Highway, Bodega, California 94922

Located in the remote town of Bodega (home of the church from The Birds), The Casino is the kind of spacious old-style roadhouse that makes you feel like you’re stepping into the wild west. A pool table, an old-fashioned jukebox, and tasty rotating dinner specials make this 135-year-old establishment a local favorite and well worth a foray off the beaten path.

Turtle Rock, Napa, 2000 Capell Valley Rd Napa, CA 94558

Here we move from weed country to wine country. If well-heeled wine snobs dining on overpriced farm-to-table appetizers make you crave a light beer and a greasy egg roll, Turtle Rock is just the place. A rural roadhouse located near Lake Berryessa, the dollar bill-spangled bar doubles as a store that sells beer and bait. When we arrived at noon for egg rolls and bloody marys, a drunk regular insisted on buying a round of tequila shots for our group of five. It’s that kind of place.

The post Dive Bar Checklist: Best of Northern California appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

A classic for any Kentucky Derby party, we recommend having a station setup for DIY mint juleps with this recipe being presented as the one to follow.  For ingredients like the simple syrup, we recommend homemade for the best flavor and experience.

Ingredients (makes one drink)

• 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
• Fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons simple syrup muddled with mint
• Splash of distilled water
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• 1 short glass
• Crushed ice

To make this drink,  twist and press mint to bruise before adding to the simple syrup inside your mixing glass.  Mix together simple syrup, muddling the mint.  Add Maker’s Mark Bourbon and the distilled waterglass.  Fill your short glass with crushed ice and pour mixture over top. Sprinkle the top of the ice with a half -teaspoon of powdered sugar, and garnish with a mint sprig.  Sit back, watch the race, and enjoy.

The post The Perfect Mint Julep appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

A classic drink often seen on the hit show Mad Men, the perfect rum old fashioned is a great way to end the day, combining the cleansing citrus of orange and the deep molasses of good aged rum.  For this recipe, we recommend the Mount Gay Extra Old, a classic dark rum with amazing flavor and perfect for this classic cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1 short glass
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters
• 1/2 Jigger of simple syrup
• 2 Jigger of Mount Gay Extra Old Rum
• 3 ice cubes/1 shaped ice block
• Orange twist

To start, we recommend chilling the glass while collecting ingredients by filling it with ice.  Once ready and properly chilled, dump the ice and add 1 dash of bitters.  Swirl this around the glass to coat the sides evenly, coming up about 2/3 to the top.  From here, add a 1/2 jigger of simple syrup and first jigger of rum, and stir together for a few seconds.  Add the second jigger of rum, then the ice and stir one more time.  Layered flavor is the name of this drink.  Finally, take the orange twist, spritz above the glass and rub the peel on the inner edge of the glass before garnishing.

A simple cocktail with amazing layers of flavor, we recommend relaxing with it in your favorite chair overlooking your domain.

The post The Perfect Rum Old Fashioned appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Glenmorangie 10 Year Old that’s sitting in front of me is a reminder of her. For me at least, this Glenmo right out of the bottle didn’t have the complexity I was looking for; or maybe the adult in me was looking for feelings, while the young adult with her was looking for something quicker. Anyway, I removed the amber liquid from the original bottling and put it in my favorite decanter (yes, I have a preferred decanter) to sit for the night. Try holding back on drinking scotch when you know it’s sitting on the liquor cabinet.

I wanted to find if this relationship would be worth the wait, but unlike my personal life, my alcohol relations have a longer shelf life.

Things to know: Though this is the least expensive and youngest single malt in the family’s lineup, it’s aged beyond its years. Maturing for 10 years in bourbon casks from good ole Missouri, “The Original” is anything but too young for its own good. It’s a symbiotic relationship with the scotch from the Highlands and the American cask.

Nose: Strong alcohol, and fumy pungency hit first immediately after the pour. Once that initial release settles, there is a faint wine aroma. Then I got a hint of honey graham crackers. Maybe it was the alcohol talking but the Glenmo opened up quite easily.

Taste: Vanilla with a sour splash of flavor and complexity. My tongue isn’t as matured as it should be to decipher the complete profile. But there is no wincing or overwhelming flavors, which could—with some scotches—make for a forceful drinking experience, instead of a pleasurable one.

Finish: This is as smooth as you’ll get with a single malt. Once you develop the taste on your tongue, the rest is history. Either neat or with a cube, it’s a pleasant drinking experience that only makes the next glass that much more worth the wait.

Total value: For a bottle with this much taste and enjoyment for roughly $45 on average, the Glenmorangie Original can either be a quick pickup for a weekend or an esteemed bottle which can sit on your shelf for months to come.

P.S.: If you’re looking for a killer gift for the important people in your lives, Glenmorangie and Thomas Pink have joined forces for the ‘perfect pairings’ sets of Glenmorangie scotch and Thomas Pink shirting. Three options are available at http://www.reservebar.com//Glenmorangie-Thomas-Pink and you can purchase your choice of pairing. And just think, no one will know that you didn’t choose the exceptionally crafted gifts separately and on your own.

The post Glenmorangie Original Scotch Whiskey appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

• 2 3/4 ounces rye whiskey (We love Bulleit Rye with this drink)
• 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
• 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Lemon twist, brandied cherry, for garnish

Recommended glass: coupe glass

Combine the rye, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth and bitters in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and stir until chilled. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with the lemon twist and brandied cherry and serve immediately.

The post Quick Fix: The Perfect Manhattan appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Worse Than Gutter Water: Arrowhead, Aquafina, Dasani, Poland Spring, Nestle, Crystal Geyser, Store Brands

All these brands start life as normal municipal tap water, then get filtered through what must be an overweight and eczema-ridden teenager’s sweaty socks. Arrowhead tastes like cement gravel, Aquafina and Dasani both have a greasy quality to them, and store brands taste like straight tap water at best. Basically, if it’s sold in giant 24-packs steer clear if you love your taste buds.

Decent Mid-Level: Fiji, smartwater, Evian

In a pinch, these will do you fine. Fiji is a step away from being in the “only good enough for plants” category above, as it is sickly sweet and so oily that it coats the mouth. Fiji is my last resort water. Evian and smartwater however are solid waters with both a pleasurable mouth-feel and no describable taste. If you’re not a bottled water drinker already, these are a good place to start your journey.

Best in Class: Acqua Panna, Voss, Anything You’ve Never Heard Of

Acqua Panna is my jam. This is by far the best bottled water that’s widely available and my go-to choice whenever I find it. It tastes just like water should: absolutely nothing. It is like swallowing the void, and it refreshes your tongue and throat for the another bite or the next mile. Voss meanwhile has the amazing ability to feel colder than it has any right being. It is like they’ve bottled liquid cold fusion and given it Norwegian style. Either of these are great beverages, but know going in that to try one of these means never being able to drink the store brands ever again.

And of course, there are all number of crazy glass-bottled wonders from the virgin Ozarks or melted icebergs that run $10 an ounce that are quite good. They are fun to try, but so rare and expensive as to make the pleasure of drinking them not the water but their very rarity and expense. I generally default to tap water in a restaurant before I spring for one of these bottles-with-a-backstory.

Now go drink up!

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