Espressofest Redux - 8/6/11

LTH,

As part of a semi-annual event, a bunch of coffee/espresso enthusiasts will be meeting at Counter Culture Coffee's new Chicago Training Center. More details are at home-barista.com, but the basics are this:

Date: Friday, June 3, 2011
Time: 8:00am - 12:00pm or later
Place: 177 N. Ada #106, Chicago IL 60642

I started organizing smaller groups at my house a few years ago, and we've finally found a space that is more accommodating to larger groups. The idea is simple: I enjoy coffee and am fairly serious about espresso and home roasting. Looking for like-minded and/or curious individuals in the Chicago area, I put out an open invitation, and people started coming. This event will offer hands-on access to professional equipment at the training center as well as consumer/"prosumer" level equipment that some of us will be bringing along.

If you're curious or interested at all, please feel free to come by. No need to RSVP unless you plan on bringing some of your own gear, but it'd be nice to get a rough headcount.

Best,
-s.

Bumping - this is coming up tomorrow! I'll be bringing some different consumer level espresso machines for comparison; Hope to see some LTHers in attendance.

HI,

Some years ago, there was a small group who went to a number of expresso places on Harlem Avenue. One person was so wired from all those expressos, he couldn't sleep for a few days.

I am not an expresso person, though I am glad you have your group of enthusiasts.

Regards,

Hi,

You can tell how invested I am on the issue. I didn't even spell it right.

Regards,

lol, i couldn't resist! kidding of course, i am not a fan of coffee snobbery, although i'm totally guilty of it from time to time

Nespresso has signed up to be a PREMIERE sponsor at this year's WBC (World Barista Championships). This is akin to Franzia sponsoring Wine Enthusiast's Top 10 Classiest Champagnes.

*shudder*

Yeah, that is a bit unfortunate I suppose. Sponsors are hard to come by I guess. Thankfully, the focus during the competitions is pretty centered around the competitors and their coffee.

Another one, coming right up. Switching locations to Cafe Ipsento in Bucktown. Again, details at home-barista.com, but this time I'll be bringing some Carolina style pulled pork in addition to different coffees. RSVP for pork headcount, please.

Date: Saturday, August 6, 2011
Time: 5:00pm - ???
Place: 2035 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

Sherman wrote:Another one, coming right up. Switching locations to Cafe Ipsento in Bucktown. Again, details at home-barista.com, but this time I'll be bringing some Carolina style pulled pork in addition to different coffees. RSVP for pork headcount, please.

Date: Saturday, August 6, 2011
Time: 5:00pm - ???
Place: 2035 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60647

This sounds really interesting to me. I am no home barista, but I love espresso and coffee in general.

Would this be a place for a lowly, non-aficionado (though avid learner) such as myself?

And I live right down the street, to boot!

It's an open invitation and all are welcome regardless of experience. Interest and curiosity are all I'd expect. I ask for RSVPs only to get headcount for pork, so consider yourself invited!

I will also be bringing a couple of different machines for people to pull shots, so that they can get a sense of what home machines are like:

1) a "low end" Rancilio Silvia modified with a PID controller
2) a "high end" Olympia Cremina lever machine

The terms are relative, of course. Any time you get deep into a hobby, the bar is set higher than any layman would expect.

-s.

I won't be able to make it Aug 6, but hope to possibly catch another one in the future! Sounds like fun!

RSVP for 1

Home Barista Chicago Get Together
Saturday, August 6th @ 5 pm

Ipsento Coffee
2035 N. Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Thanks,
Mark5

mark5 & Dclose - noted. See you Saturday!