I was lucky enough to attend the beginner's training class at Counter Culture yesterday. It was a blast and went from 9-4. I've wanted to attend one of these since I heard about them and finally got the chance. Now I want to go to some of the more advanced labs.

Here are a few impressions...

1) it was great and filled with lots of information
2) it reminded me just how much I've learned here from the posters on HB. I learned a lot at Counter Culture, but there was also a lot I already knew because of you guys.
3) I got to pull a many shots as I wanted on their LM and Astoria machines using a Robur, an electronic Robur, a Mahlkönig Vario, and a Super Jolly.
4) the people at Counter Culture are remarkably friendly and happy. I've rarely been anywhere where people seemed to universally like their work so much. As we took the tour I looked around and kept seeing people grinning as they chatted. It must be something in the water there (coffee perhaps?).

As for the equipment, I expected adjusting to different equipment to be hard especially having only really steamed milk on a Pavoni, but creating reasonable microfoam was fairly easy on both machines even using 3-4 oz of milk or so (although it was even easier with 6 oz or more) it just happened much faster and boy was it easy to get that vortex going.

Even with the Robur we saw that bad technique would result in channeling. This is the second time I've been around a Robur and a Super Jolly there and the second time that I walked away impressed by the quality of the Super Jolly and amazed at what a bargain it is relatively speaking (especially picked up lightly used). That said I did use the higher end grinders more often while I was there - who wouldn't have?

Finally, I'll mention that the best 1/3 of my shots on a Pavoni and a Macap M4 were to my taste as good as the best 1/3 of my shots I could pull on this much higher end equipment. The bottom 1/3 of my shots on the Pavoni are much worse than the bottom 1/3 on the high end stuff. My guess is the same would have been true of one of the HX or DB machines commonly talked about on this site combined with any of these grinders.

Hugh

Sounds great, Hugh!

I hope more roasters hold classes like this -- everybody benefits this way. In fact I'll write to Blue Bottle about it right now!

Happy Brewing,
Wayne

Great review - thanks for posting. I'd almost consider flying out there for one of those classes. Their coffee is just .... it seems to defeat my vocab this evening. I love the stuff. Glad to know they're so happy and friendly - it sure seems to come across in their beans!

Wayne, I'll second that for Blue Bottle. The guys in the Ferry Building have the happy/friendly vibe too, not to mention all that space back there for a workshop!

Let's arrange a group trip. Espresso training, Dan's Friday espresso lab, then golf. Then beer. Then more coffee and more golf.

sweaner wrote:Let's arrange a group trip. Espresso training, Dan's Friday espresso lab, then golf. Then beer. Then more coffee and more golf.

Now that would be fun!

Hugh

sweaner wrote:Let's arrange a group trip. Espresso training, Dan's Friday espresso lab, then golf. Then beer. Then more coffee and more golf.

da gino wrote:Now that would be fun!

HB CON here we come! I can see the headlines now

Funny you should mention it, Lydia at Counter Culture Coffee is talking about a consumer-friendly event similar to EspressoFest 2004 and EspressoFest 2006, probably near the end of summer. I've offered to help organize/promote/staff the event in Durham. I'll post more as details develop.

That sounds like fun, and Durham isn't too far away!

My last trip to Durham was to take a competition BBQ class at one of the horse farms in the area. A trip for an espresso class and golf would be fantastic! Now let's see--how can I get my clubs on the Harley?

Jeff

Same way you carry them on the golf course works for me!