Has anyone else tried Pilot's new espresso blend? I got one bag when it was released, and enjoyed it enough to get 3 more bags last week. I don't normally go for their coffees over P&S, 49th, etc. so it was a pleasant surprise. A very sweet blend that's quite nice straight. I also got a bag of Big Bro ("Heritage") which confirmed my previous preferences. Not bad, I'd just rather be drinking Epic.

http://www.pilotcoffeeroasters.com/products/anthem

They've renamed Big Bro and their other blends to coincide with the release of Anthem, which seems like an odd decision given they already significantly changed their branding with the Te Aro/Pilot split less than 3 years ago.

Hey Chris, I've been meaning to try the new Anthem blend. I pass through Union station everyday for work. And Pilot has their modbar cafe in the great hall. They sell bags there for easy pickup.

I see Anthem is a post roast blend. How are you pulling it? Pilot recommends 7+ days of rest and just over a 1:2 ratio. Are you using a flat or conical to grind it?

Might give it a try this week. I've been drinking some straight Daterra Sweet Blue over the last week and I'm ready for some fruity, juicy stuff.

I also don't understand the name changes. Why mess with established brand names people know and recognize? Seems like an unnecessary marketing move. But Counter Culture did the same thing a year or two ago with blend names and seem to be doing fine. Who knows.

Thanks for the head's up Chris. I just got an order from Square Mile, but when that's done I'll head down to Te Aro to try and maybe pick up the Anthem. It sounds similar to the Elevens blend they had, is it just re-branded Elevens? I don't remember if they stopping carrying Elevens since I haven't been there in almost a year. Monument looks and reads like a re-branded Burnout.

Hey Tony, how quickly did you get your Square Mile order? I've always wanted to try SM. I remember reading something about ordering by Sunday morning our time to get Monday shipping.

It used to be fairly quick. About 5 days post roast. This order has been a nightmare since it's been over a week now. This experience will most likely end all Square Mile orders from me. I order more than one bag to make it 'worthwhile' and then I get short shelf-life coffee. Meh... I know it's always a possibility, but SM has always been fairly quick. It's the only international roaster I purchase coffee from and it's about time I put that to rest. So, YMMV.

/edit
Just recieved the Square Mile package. Both were roasted the day it shipped - Feb 4/16 - YAY FOR ME!!

I've been pulling Anthem with their recommended parameters, which is basically my usual starting point anyway. I use a Tanzania for espresso these days, and my pump machines are set at 7 bar. I think they stopped offering Elevens quite a while ago; Anthem is similarly presented as a counterpoint to Big Bro (Heritage), but Elevens was a 40% natural fruit bomb, and Anthem is a much more refined bright juicy/sweet. Definitely an interesting change for Pilot.

Here are the new names for their blends:

Heritage = Big Bro
Academy = Little Bro
Monument = Burnout
Catalyst = Easy Mate

Thanks Chris. Regarding 7 bar -- I've noticed 49th Parallel has been recommending 7 bar for some of their roasts. What difference do you find the lower pressure makes in the cup?

Do you think Anthem would still pull ok on my setup? K10 + E61 HX set to 9 bar?

Interesting how Pilot pulls: http://www.pilotcoffeeroasters.com/blog ... six-months

Definitely an interesting take on the process. But I'm puzzled by this part.

"What this constant grind really did for us was illuminate the importance of variables like water temperature, brew ratios, bar pressure, and diffusion as factors that are just as significant as the more commonly adjusted variables (e.g. grind size)."

They just realized now that temp, brew ratio, and pressure are just as important in terms of variables? Thought that was basic espresso 101. We all know how easily temp, brew ratio and pressure can affect taste.

Also, I can't help thinking that using the same temps for all coffees is a mistake, despite the different pressure profiles.

Been enjoying pilot's anthem for the past few days.

18g in 40g out. 7-10 days past roast (so far). Impression ... Good body, especially considering the brew ratio I'm using. I get champagne and tangerine flavours primarily. Ok with milk but I think I much prefer heritage (big bro) with milk. I also bought a bag of Brazil Zanetti which I am expecting to work well with milk. I am resting that to 12 days before trying (pilot suggests it peaks at 14+ days). We'll see.