Are you a coffee snob?

Seattle's Best (Level 3-5), I have had most of the Starbucks brews as well I like the Pike's, French, Italian, Espresso Roasts, Dunkin Donuts are good too. I would also suggest going to an organic food store and buying some coffees from there those are usually amazing just find a good dark roast.

Did you know Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks? I just found out recently.
 
Coffee snob? Now that I sort of am. While I don't know anything about coffee and don't know if what I am drinking is actually "better", I know what I like. I can never go wrong with Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts (dark roasts), and there are a few more that I have tried and liked but can't remember the names.

I do NOT like Folgers or coffees that you can see through. I will drink them, however, if I must. Most hotels, for example, have pretty weak, crappy coffee. IMO.

Oh, and I also don't put anything in my coffee. Black, always.

Anyone know of any other good coffees?

Peaberries coffee in Denver CO puts Starbucks to shame, and yes I am a coffee snob. Of coarse if you like the bitter acidic roast stay with Starbucks, yes I understand some people like it.

Dunkin donuts isn't bad though.
 
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Seattle's Best (Level 3-5), I have had most of the Starbucks brews as well I like the Pike's, French, Italian, Espresso Roasts, Dunkin Donuts are good too. I would also suggest going to an organic food store and buying some coffees from there those are usually amazing just find a good dark roast.

I'll second SBC. Their Henry's Blend (level 3 or 4 now I think) is fantastic. Peet's House Blend and Major Dickason's blend are very good also, and Caribou and Tully's also have some great roasts as well.

Tully's Coffee - Keurig K-Cup Coffee & Whole Bean Coffee, Gourmet Coffee

Peet's Coffee & Tea

Caribou Coffee
 
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Did you know Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks? I just found out recently.

Yes they bought them out a few years ago. Trying to get the market share of a different roasting style. Unfortunatly after they bought them they changed the roasting to more of what Starbucks does. I really like Seattles best before the buy out.
 
Did you know Seattle's Best is owned by Starbucks? I just found out recently.

A few years ago, news broke about a Starbucks "de-branding" strategy: in saturated markets, Starbucks would convert and re-name existing locations to make them appear as if they were locally-owned, independent stores. Pretty sleazy stuff, IMO.

I have no idea if this plan was scrapped, and I can't find much about it on the interwebs other than this: Starbucks De-Branding Strategy – Is It Really So Bad? | Stephen Boni
 
Love the Smokey Row and the original is in my hometown.

https://smokeyrow.com/

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My family usually buys their coffee from Burgie's here in Ames. Currently they have a Sumatra Dark and an Organic Ethiopian Sidamo, along with 2 other blends that are not labeled and so I don't know what they are, all from Burgie's.
 
A few years ago, news broke about a Starbucks "de-branding" strategy: in saturated markets, Starbucks would convert and re-name existing locations to make them appear as if they were locally-owned, independent stores. Pretty sleazy stuff, IMO.

I have no idea if this plan was scrapped, and I can't find much about it on the interwebs other than this: Starbucks De-Branding Strategy – Is It Really So Bad? | Stephen Boni

Why is that sleazy? If you won't go to them (not saying YOU, personally) because it says starbucks, but you WILL if it says something else, I don't see the problem. It's all about liking the product.
 
Why is that sleazy? If you won't go to them (not saying YOU, personally) because it says starbucks, but you WILL if it says something else, I don't see the problem. It's all about liking the product.

Because that's flagrant false advertisement. If the only reason you choose to go somewhere else is because it is not starbucks, but it actually is a starbucks in all aspects other than its name and appearance, how much more dishonest could you be?

I realize this is common (many clothes you purchase at banana republic are virtually identical to those you buy at old navy other than the price, for example), but it's inherently deceptive.
 
Because that's flagrant false advertisement. If the only reason you choose to go somewhere else is because it is not starbucks, but it actually is a starbucks in all aspects other than its name and appearance, how much more dishonest could you be?

I realize this is common (many clothes you purchase at banana republic are virtually identical to those you buy at old navy other than the price, for example), but it's inherently deceptive.

Well if you like to go to Seattle's Best because it isn't Starbucks - then you are pretty much at fault. You actually like Starbucks but are just trying to be snooty and "different".

:smile::smile::smile:
 
I am a coffee snob. Traveled in sales for many years, got alot of work done at coffee shops. Because I have frequented shops in several states I have my preferences. Spent alot of time in Milwaukee, fell in love w/ Alterra a local roaster w/several locations.

Got off the road several yrs ago and now order coffee from Peet's out of CA. Drink both their Espresso Forte and Major Dickinson. Always fresh roasted and shipped to your door. Never been disappointed and if ever a problem their customer service has been outstanding.

I should mention I have a fully automatic espresso machine in my house. Living in a small town w/no options its proven a wise investment.

Also recommend Intelligentsia Black Cat and Handsome Roasters.

With a restroom close by I can drink coffee all day.
 
Well if you like to go to Seattle's Best because it isn't Starbucks - then you are pretty much at fault. You actually like Starbucks but are just trying to be snooty and "different".

:smile::smile::smile:

I'm absolutely with you in that I think it's silly for people to bash Starbucks for no other reason that its name is "Starbucks". While it's pretty clever (and humorous) for Starbucks to take advantage of that by owning and operating coffee shops that only appear to be the antithesis of Starbucks, it's a pretty ****** business practice.

Full disclosure: I have no qualms about patronizing Starbucks and often do so over independent coffee shops because A) I know what I'm getting, B) I enjoy their coffee, and C) it's not as likely to be full of snooty hipsters.
 
I'm absolutely with you in that I think it's silly for people to bash Starbucks for no other reason that its name is "Starbucks". While it's pretty clever (and humorous) for Starbucks to take advantage of that by owning and operating coffee shops that only appear to be the antithesis of Starbucks, it's a pretty ****** business practice.

Full disclosure: I have no qualms about patronizing Starbucks and often do so over independent coffee shops because A) I know what I'm getting, B) I enjoy their coffee, and C) it's not as likely to be full of snooty hipsters.

That's the word I was thinking of! Instead I had to type "different". BAAAAHHHH
 
I am a coffee snob. Traveled in sales for many years, got alot of work done at coffee shops. Because I have frequented shops in several states I have my preferences. Spent alot of time in Milwaukee, fell in love w/ Alterra a local roaster w/several locations.

I will fly through the Milwaukee airport whenever I can get Alterra coffee (and their breakfast burritos). Amazing stuff, especially for a smaller airport.
 
I'm a snob. I generally take my own coffee with me while traveling. fyi ... non-snobs generally complain about the coffee I make and I don't care.

I like a dark roast and I'm not brand loyal.

I also like a good cafe mocha (skim - no whip cream). The mocha at Burgies in Ames is still the best I've had anywhere. They grind their cocoa beans where almost every other coffee shop anywhere uses syrup. Not bad for a gas station in Iowa :-)
 
I'm not a coffee snob per se, but I won't drink bad coffee because I don't like the taste of it. I like my coffee strong. Weak coffee tastes like wet dog because the grounds were over-extracted. It isn't pleasant... Worse, most people then try to make it weaker because they didn't like the wet dog taste...

I really enjoy Peace coffee here in MSP. I also like Alterra out of MKE and there was an amazing coffee joint in brooklyn called Cafe Grumpy's which changed my outlook on what coffee could be. Dunn Bros here isn't too bad and I'll go to a starbuck before I'll go get a cup at a non coffee specialty place. Sigh, I miss Grumpy's... They brewed each cup individually with the pour over method. Huge caffeine kick in the morning while tasting like coffee, chocolate, apricots and cherries (not flavored).
 
I should add that I've been giving family members Keurig's for xmas so that when I travel there I know I can get at least a somewhat decent cup of coffee...
 

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