Grazie mille to HB and its sponsors. I ordered hardware (new grinder and roaster) and software (coffee) from three different sponsors: 1st-Line Equipment, Chris's Coffee and Coffee Klatch. So I've done my part to boost the US economy; now it's up to the barons of Wall Street to do theirs.

Same time next year, right? Count me in.

CafeNoir wrote:Same time next year, right? Count me in.

Maybe, maybe not. Sponsors have reported a very subdued response. One commented "It's kind of like birthday parties when you are a kid versus when you are 45." Who would have guessed HB is already approaching middle age?

Thanks to all the sponsors for all the great deals.

As luck would have it, the timing of the anniversary coincided with my decision to sell my Macap M4 and upgrade my grinder. I was initially planning on the Cimbali Max Hybrid, but Chris' Coffee's $200 off coupon (and immediate availability) swayed me over to the Compak K10 (due to arrive today).
Coffee Klatch's coupon also pushed me to go ahead and order some of their coffees for the first time.

Navin

Happy birthday from a long-time reader and first-time poster (and my new Compak K10 WBC)!

(The grinder, by the way, is fantastic so far...I'm finding it to be a huge upgrade from my SJ.)

Great job DAN and everybody

Still missing HB3 and my MXKR!
Can't wait for HB4 and my..... ..... ......Mazzer Robur !

Cafesp

HB wrote:Maybe, maybe not. Sponsors have reported a very subdued response. One commented "It's kind of like birthday parties when you are a kid versus when you are 45." Who would have guessed HB is already approaching middle age?

I'm sorry to hear that, Dan. I've been hanging around HB for around a year and a half now and have learned loads about making good espresso through your work and the contributions of moderators, sponsors, and site members.

The level of sponsor/site interaction is one of the things I've come to truly appreciate about HB and it has influenced my buying decisions. The Anniversary Celebrations have not only provided a great opportunity to explore new coffees and get some accessories without breaking my budget, but I think it's also very important for all of us to provide some support and show appreciation to the sponsors who enable this rich, robust resource and community.

Because of HB I've become a customer of Intelligentsia, Counter Culture, and Espresso Parts and anticipate buying from at least a couple of other sponsors in the near future. As a low-rung espresso newbie I can only urge everyone to do the same when spending their espresso funds so that our sponsors remain our sponsors and the HB site and community continue to do the voodoo they do best. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Happy Anniversary, HB!