I realize I'm a bit late to the Hairbender party, but the coffee scene in Toronto has grown a lot over the past few years. Just 5 years ago, the only way to get coffees from Intelligentsia or other well-known US roasters was to have it flown in or rely on USPS for 10-11 day delivery service.

Soon after Manic Coffee (they carry Intelligentsia and some George Howell coffees) opened a few years ago, things changed dramatically. Now there are places like Thor (who carry Social Tea & Coffee Co. coffees) and Lit (who carry Stumptown), in addition to several other nice places. I've had to catch up a bit.

When buying my most recent machine at iDrinkcoffee.com, Slawek (the owner) let me compare pulling shots of Hairbender on the Semiautomatica and the GS/3. After this round of tasting I was eager to get some Hairbender home.

I picked up some 7-day old Hairbender on the weekend at Lit, and have been absolutely wowed by it. At this point, the one thing I can say about it is that Hairbender seems to be flawless as an espresso coffee. It's not an anything 'bomb', just beautifully balanced. I find it to be completely non-fatiguing as a coffee; I could have another immediately after drinking a shot.

I'm only starting to play with it, but at this point I am already trying to figure out how to get to Lit to buy regular amounts on their weekly delivery date. So far I have been dosing between 15.5gm and 16.5gm.

I've been enjoying some good coffees from good local roasters, and I was genuinely surprised by how well-rounded, workable, and drinkable this coffee is.

Any further Hairbender updates? Your fav temp, pressure, volume, time? I know there's a blog somewhere but I can't seem to find it.

The following thread is for the 2010 blend, but it still gets you there.
Favorite Espresso Blends 2010

To me, Hairbender is understated, and incredibly well balanced.

Mark

I've had spotty luck with Hairbender, at best. I've asked a bunch of baristas in town about their experience with it, and all of them told me they updose to get the best shot. I just can't replicate it with my 14g double basket, and I don't feel like using up to 50% more to get better shots. I've had great luck with several local roasters (Ristretto Roasters, Extracto) and am now trying some Heart Roasters "stereo" espresso blend.

When dialed in, I think Hairbender is fantastic, I just haven't been able to do it at home. I'm envious of your results for sure!

I just spent the past morning trying Hairbender, and it was ok but didn't blow me away. All my shots were updosed at 20g, temps on the low side at 195-199, 27-30sec, 1.5 to 2.0 oz. Most closer to 1.75 oz. Nice. But not amazing. So far, still much prefer Social - People's Daily.

I like People's Daily - I usually roast my own but if buying from a roaster, I'd have to go with PT's Gizmo.

With a stock ridged LM OEM basket...
- 19.5g
- 198.5f
- 70% ratio

It's a bit hard to dial in. The key is to get the grind as coarse as you can. If you don't do that, it will taste flat and thin. The way to do this, of course, is to updose. If you're not willing to updose it's going to underwhelm.
Also, if the brew temp is too hot, the espresso will taste thin (with tons of chocolate but no fruit and poor mouthfeel).

In general I'm at roughly 27s for my shots. I'm also down at 8.5 BAR pump pressure.

It's also less good IMHO with a Strada basket than with the new EP basket and in fact I prefer it from the old ridged OEM LM basket than the Strada one.

It's not super forgiving. That sort of coarse grind + updose approach requires a bit more skill to get proper extraction, but when you get it nailed it's a gorgeous coffee.

FWIW - I think the sweet spot is day 4 to day 6 post roast.

Well, I did updose to 20g, and I did take the temp down as low as 196, and so maybe I need to play with the grind a bit more. My gauge reads 9.25 bars. Next time I'll take it down to 8.5 and see.

FWIW - I think the sweet spot is day 4 to day 6 post roast.

It's worth a lot. But, in addition, could you provide some part numbers for these baskets you are "comparing"? i.e. are these correct?

The standard LM ridged double basket - EP Part Number L116/A

The new EP basket - EP Part Number EPW10813

The Strada basket - Part Number VST-18-2845

Those are them.