Are you a sheep?

Disclaimer: Please don't be offended by the rant that I am about to go on!

Hi, I'm Phillip Deems, coffee correspondent and I am on the search for the 'Perfect Cup Of Joe'.
I hate disclaimers, but I have to start this post out with one. Why? Because I am about to offend about 1/2 the population of the United States.

Starbucks has done one of the things that I try to accomplish in the ad game every day. Build tremendous 'Brand Recognition'. But does that mean they brew a better cup of coffee, mix a better specialty drink or sell a more tasty pound cake? In my eyes, NO! They just have more money to buy your loyalty. (I think that most people would agree with me if they tried to experience coffee on the level that I do each weekend.) Nope...we are all sheep! We blindly follow all of our 'Brand Loyal' friends who wear Prada, Gucci, Lucky Jeans etc...into the faceless abyss. We all look the same, speak the same and apparently drink the same.

My wife and I have enjoyed our weekend here in Melbourne Beach, Florida...But I saw something today that kind of pissed me off. Let me now explain:

As we were walking down this beautifully quaint and historic area with nothing but hip, local places to eat and shop, I witnessed just how sheepish we really are. Many local shop owners were opening their doors with Starbucks coffee in their hands. Okay, now 1 person is okay, but several...I am baffled. Not 20 yards away from that 'local shop' owner was a 'local coffee shop' brewing better coffees at a much cheaper price. What is wrong with this picture? I think that Starbucks drinking, clothing shop owner would be upset to know that the local coffee shop owner was buying apparel similar to theirs at a store much farther away at a higher cost. Am I wrong here?

Don't get me wrong...I have had Starbucks coffee in every way shape or form in the past, but once the economy took a turn for the worst, I too had to cut cost. So, it opened up a new world for me on accident. I started trying different coffees that were cheaper and found out that I actually liked them better. Case in point, today I am sitting at Le Bon Cafe enjoying a $1.19 cup of Crane Creek Breakfast Blend and it is delicious...And I am getting free refills! Will it make my top 5? I am not sure, but it sure is a better cup of coffee than the much more expensive cup of Starbucks.

So I now ask you...Are You A Sheep? If so, break the mold and branch out. Stop following what everyone else is doing and build your own list of favorites. You will find out that the hyper-local coffee shop is just as good, if not better sometimes. And if you go back to that cup of Starbucks coffee, then you can truly call yourself a fan.

Now call Le Bon Cafe and order a bag of their Signature Blend right now! Here is the number 321-725-2600. You won't be disappointed.

Melbourne, Florida Coffee Bar Crawl

My wife and I are enjoying are 7 year wedding anniversary in Melbourne Beach, Florida. She has suggested to me that we do a coffee bar crawl while we are here. OKAY! Who am I to argue with the wife.

We passed 3 great looking coffee houses last night that are on our list for today.

Stay tuned!

Coffee Rankings

It is time to post the Perfect Cup Of Joe update. Here are the rankings by favorite so far. Per request, I am adding whether the venue has a wireless set up.

1. Dunkin Donuts - based on consistency. Wireless - NA
2. Drunken Monkey - based on atmosphere and taste. Wireless - YES/Free
3. Bad Ass Coffee Company - based on home brew. Wireless - YES/$5 for 1/2 hour

Check back each week to see the updated standings.

Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar

Hi, I'm Phillip Deems, coffee correspondent and I am on the search for the 'Perfect Cup Of Joe'.

I am pretty good at getting 'Drunk', just ask my friends and family. But the true question is what kind of Drunk are you? Are you the kind of inebriated person that is happy or angry? Most would categorize me as the happy drunk, you know the kind of drunk that smiles too much, is touchy feely, or licks his finger and gives you wet willies in your ear...(sorry that last one is me riding home with my wife after a drunken session). Well, today I am a happy drunk. Why? I visited Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar.

I know it is kind of my job to remain objective and keep my feelings out of the taste, but it was very hard to do that today. From the moment I parked in front of the graffiti soaked wall to the very first sip, I was happy. I will get to the taste of my first cup of coffee, but I want to describe the feeling of Drunken Monkey first. As you walk in you witness the quaint, hip and comfortable surroundings, you hear the sounds of soothing yet very cool music at just the right level, not too loud, not too soft. People are smiling and performing a task that we take for granted now a days, SOCIALIZING. I only wish Angela could have been there with me today to take it all in.

I walked up to the counter to order, head bobbing to the melodic sounds of 'Sting' singing 'Walking On The Moon'. What a great start. I noticed the references to organic products that could be added to your drinks. The categories of coffee were laid out on simple chalk board in three different categories...Hot Beverages, Cold Beverages and Frozen Beverages. I find this simplicity quite brilliant now a days. All too many coffee shops try to be cute with verbiage that does not make sense and at times can piss you off. It was refreshing to not have to stand at a counter for 5 minutes figuring out what you want. The employee that took my order was knowledgeable as I asked what was in each drink, quizzing with a purpose of ordering more than one. To be fair to all coffee shops I have to use the standard cup of coffee as the 'Perfect Cup Of Joe' measurement. So I ordered the same way I do at every establishment..."Can I have a cup of coffee with room for cream, please". No more questions, it is time to get down to business.

I looked back at the crowd of people in line as I went to sit down to enjoy my first cup of Drunken Monkey coffee. I was one of few people with a purpose, most were there to enjoy each other. There was plenty of room to sit, whether you wanted a standard table or a couch, they had it all. I chose a standard seat, pulled out my laptop and blocked out the rest of the room as I focused on the task at hand. At this point I did not care much about how the coffee tasted as I was impressed already with the completely inviting ambiance of the room, but I have a job to do. I reached down and took my first sip. They apparently have thought of it all...the standard cup of coffee was very smooth. I kept sipping and looked for something I could criticize, but I could not find one reason to give this establishment any bad pub. It was easy to finish the cup. No displeasing after taste, no bad breath feeling and no reason not to go up and order a second round! That is just what I did...except this time I went with something "Cold", the Iced Mojo Jojo. Mmmmmmm...I think someone just raised the bar!

If you live in Orlando...I would suggest finding a way to get over here and try this place out. It has everything that we O-Town folk need...a cozy atmosphere away from the touristy! Great mix of coffee drinks, good food that includes danishes, sandwiches, chips etc... Very cool place that even supports local artists! I will be heading back soon...wanna go with? Hit me up. "Until The Next Cup"!

Atmosphere: Social. Laid out to interact with others. :)

Price: 120z. - $1.70 + tax. Competitively priced.

Specialty Drinks range from $3.85 to $4.50

444 N. Bumby Ave.
Orlando, Florida
407-893-4994

http://drunkenmonkeycoffee.com/

Heading to get Drunk...en Monkey!

Today I begin my journey toward Drunkenness.

Will Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar move into the top spot? Dunkin Donuts holds the lead...Check back later to see whether "The Coffee Junkie's Paradise" has what it takes!!!

"The Coffee Junkie's Paradise"

I had an interesting day today as I tried to shake a migraine that came on around noon. It must have been the Maxwell House cup that I had this morning. (Sorry Maxwell House...you are not in the running for me) This evening I am going to brew up a pot of the "Bad Ass" coffee that I was "up sold" last Sunday. I need to get my moneys worth, you know!

So, this weekend I will be traveling over to Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar. The branding statement for the company is intriguing to me..."The Coffee Junkie's Paradise". I should be in heaven! I will be setting up a time to head on over and would like all of my facebook friends that love coffee to head on over there. If you are interested in going over this Saturday morning, here is there location information.

444 N. Bumby Ave.

Orlando, Florida

407-893-4994

http://drunkenmonkeycoffee.com/

I will be posting the time I am heading over there soon, so check back into this blog by the end of the week. Until the next cup!

Still on the hunt...

The Journey for the "Perfect Cup of Joe" continues.

Leading Cup of Coffee: https://www.dunkindonuts.com/

Next weekends visit: http://drunkenmonkeycoffee.com/

Check back in a couple days for an update. In the meantime vote for your favorite coffee chain in the survey to the left.

One "Bad Ass Coffee Co."

Hi, I'm Phillip Deems, coffee correspondent and I am on the search for the 'Perfect Cup Of Joe'.


Sometimes you just feel like being bad or a "Bad Ass" as in Bad Ass Coffee Co. That is just what I did today on my search for the perfect cup of coffee. Now, I visited based on a request from a friend that I work with...this friend seemed to be much more schooled in Coffee than me, so I naturally took him up on his suggestion and drove all the way out to I-Drive in Orlando, Florida. (Thanks Mike).

Since I am truly a bad boy from the Northside, I tried to get in the spirit of things, threw on my black leather, threw on the shades, exposed the tattoo and chest hair, then got on my hawg and peeled out of the driveway. Wait...sorry, let me clarify by being honest, because there are some holes in the statement above...namely the chest hair. (Scratch this paragraph)

Correction: Since I am no bad boy, I tried to get in the spirit of things, threw on my jeans and sandals, unbuttoned my top button of my polo shirt, put on my dollar store sunglasses and backed out of the drive way in my wife's Chrysler Crossfire. (okay, my karma is still intact, but the visuals are true...see the attached picture)

Although us locals of O-Town despise I-Drive, I took the trek anyway. After creeping through the out of town drivers, I pulled up to Bad Ass Coffee Co. Right away you can tell that this is a franchise based on the 'Marketing Engine' that was running the place. Huge "Bad Ass" logo (disclaimer: I will use that term frequently throughout this piece because it is fun to say) on the front of the 18 foot draped awning, "Bad Ass" T-shirts with Donkeys on them with cute sayings like "I Love My Bad Ass Attitude", theme park style volcanoes, palm trees and beaches painted on the walls, sculptured surfers etc...I expected this based on location, so I was not surprised by the Hawaiian decor. (Kona is the coffee served)

As I walked through the door, the wonderful smell of coffee beans slapped me in the face. Good Start! I went to order a standard cup of coffee, 100% Kona, I was told that they were out of that kind because they only brew the Kona once a day and that I would have to get a cup of a blend. So, I spent the next couple of minutes making sure that I picked a coffee that was representative of the brand. I can't judge Bad Ass Coffee Co. unless I drink a cup that reflects the franchise. I chose a "Bad Ass" American blend and whipped out the credit card for the $2 and change cup of coffee and was politely asked if I had any cash because they did not like to take credit cards for orders under $5. Okay, not such a Good Start! Being the Marketing and Advertising guy that I am, I got it! So, the nice person behind the counter up sold me a bag of "Full City Roast". (Call me a sucker, but I had no cash...nice job getting more money out of me)

I sat down as I started taking in the "Bad Ass Merchandise" and took my first sip. Not Bad! Although the place is definitely made for tourists, I was pleasantly surprised at the obvious focus on quality coffee product. It was strong, but smooth and without the bitter taste of a burnt pot. (Sorry, sometimes that happens with my coffee at the house) The next few sips got better and better as my mouth got used to the mixed blend that I was served. As I finished the cup, I was satisfied and pleased that I was up sold in the first place. I see a home brew of "Bad Ass, Full City Roast" in my future.

Here is the question..."Is it the Perfect Cup Of Joe?". That is left to be seen and will be answered as I partake in future journeys. I can say this...if there was one close to my house, I would come back again.

Atmosphere: Nice, but touristy.
Price: 12 oz - 1.95 + tax which is competitive for standard cups.
Specialty drinks range from $2.95 to $5.95
Bags of coffee range from $11.95 to $23.95

Perfect Cup Of Joe...The search is on!

Let me start by saying that I am not an aficionado, nor a coffee snob on the hunt for the most expensive cup, a Peruvian blend, an iced mocha light latte with whip cream etc... Oh No, I am on the hunt for the "Perfect Cup of Joe" as defined by me, whether it is an instant cup or a cup from a coffee pot at my friends house.

So why should you care?

Because along the way I am going to expose my journey through written word, video and pictures that will include your favorite or not so favorite spots and blends. I need you, the coffee customer, to offer me advice along the way. I will expose you to some hot spots that you may not know about and show you how you can take your own journey toward that "Perfect Cup Of Joe". It is a lifestyle...a way to connect with friends, family and new acquaintances that enjoy living.

Check back soon to see where my journey begins and what cup of coffee has set the precedent with which I will measure all cups against.

Stay Tuned!