Stone Creek Coffee is pleased to announce that we will soon launch of our newest seasonal drink-THE ESPRESSJITO. This fantastic beverage will arrive in our stores on July 8. The espressjito was inspired by one of our 2009 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competitors, Stefanie Zydowicz.

In the Barista Competition, each competitor has 15 minutes to prepare four cappuccinos, four espressos, and four signature drinks for the judges. Stefanie created the espressjito for her signature beverage portion of the competition. She muddled lime, sugar and mint together, mixed in a fresh shot of espresso, poured the combination over ice and topped the drink off with San Pelligrino. The result is a refreshing, unique, innovative, and tasty drink that will get you hooked with the first sip.

The Espressjito will be available in each of our eight retail stores beginning July 8...you just have to try this one for yourself!

As the new Stone Creek Coffee Intern, I figured that it was about time that I got more serious with my coffee cupping.  Last Wednesday, we had one of our primary importers, John Cossette from Royal Coffee, visit our factory and set up a coffee cupping for us that held up to his coffee-importing expertise.

For those of you who don't know all of the details of what a cupping entails, I'm going to share my new-found knowledge with you.  It is amazing that there are so many things to note about each cup of coffee!

When you first sit down, you should have a cup in front of you with freshly ground coffee, a spoon, and a cup of water.

Step 1.  Smell the coffee.  Bring the cup to your nose and inhale deeply.  Try to let the fragrance of the coffee come to you.  (It helps to kind of swirl the coffee around.)  Is it smoky?  Chocolaty?  Earthy?

Step 2.  Add your almost boiling water to the coffee and let it sit for 3 minutes.  You're waiting for the grounds to settle. 

Step 3.  Break the crust that has formed on the top of your cup, but do this very carefully.  The other Stone Creekers used their spoons to gently push the grounds away from the center of their cups while inhaling deeply.  This is how you judge the aroma of the coffee.  Does it match the description that you had before?  John suggested pulling the settled grounds up from the bottom of the cup as you continue to inhale deeply.

Step 4.  Scoop out the grounds.  Take your spoon and skim it across the top of your cup to get out all of the grounds.  For a new cupper like me, it took me several skims to clear all of the grounds off the top of my coffee. 

Step 5.  Rinse your spoon.

Step 6.  Taste your coffee.  To do this, you slurp the coffee off of your spoon.  You want the coffee to coat your tongue while you are still able to inhale and taste some of the aroma.  What you want to look for right now is the brightness of the coffee, as well as the body of the coffee.  For brightness, does the coffee remind you more of an orange or of a banana?  It is very snappy?  If so, the coffee has a higher level of brightness.  For body, does the coffee remind you more of skim milk or of whole milk?  Does it coat your tongue?  If so, the coffee has a full body.

We did a blind cupping, which is preferred by most coffee professionals.  This way your subconscious can't trick you.  We also cupped four coffees at the same time!

If you're interested in trying a cupping the Stone Creek way, we offer a public cupping every other Friday at our Factory.  Our next cupping is going to be held July 10th at 9 AM .   Feel free to join us!  It's a great experience!

Lately, I've been trying to think of ways to jazz up my everyday meals as I sip my delicious Stone Creek Coffee, and finally, I've found a recipe to do just that!  There's a recipe for a marinade that uses coffee!  How cool is that?

The Recipe makes enough marinade for about 6 pork chops, steaks, etc.  All you need is:

• 3 spoonfuls of olive oil
• 2 mashed cloves of garlic
• 2 spoonfuls of minced parsley
• 150 ml of black coffee (about 2/3rds of a cup)
• 3 spoonfuls of honey
• the juice and grated pulp of 1 lemon
• salt and pepper

Just combine all of these ingredients, and you have your own overnight marinade!  It sounds perfect for summer, and I can't wait to try it out!

Name: Alana Wooldridge
Position:  Barista at Oconomowoc
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 8 months
Favorite Drink: Iced Soy Latte with 1 pump mocha and extra ice.
Favorite Coffee: Socially Responsible Brazil
Favorite Musical group: Tegan and Sara
How do you Sip Slowly?   It gives me the opportunity to be independent while having fun and working with amazing people. I love working at Stone Creek--The people are very supportive, and I love the coffee!

Fridays are great days...especially when it's as beautiful a day as we're having in Milwaukee today!

Here at The Stone Creek Factory, we have a company cupping (coffee tasting) every other Friday morning at 9am.  Today, I had the pleasure of leading us through this excercise.  I decided to put some coffees on the table that I received samples of to consider purchasing for our offering. 

I started us out with a very basic Guatemalan coffee from the Huehuetenango region.  This particular coffee was a 'strictly hard bean' which is one of the highest grades of coffee in Guatemala.  Overall, the group was 'just okay' with this coffee.  We tasted some hints of cinnamon and chocolate, and it was a nicely balanced coffee. 

Next, we traveled across the big water to Africa and an Ethiopian coffee from the Harrar region.  Those of you familiar with Ethiopian coffees likely know that fruit flavors are hallmarks of this part of the world.  Our sample today did not disappoint.  We found the blueberry and cherry flavors that we have all come to know and love.  For me, this particular Ethiopian wasn't the best I'd ever had, but I still found it to be tasty.

Traveling right back across that big ocean, our final coffee was from the La Minita farm in Costa Rica.  This was the majority favorite with a smooth, buttery body and a nice array of interesting citrus and chocolate flavors.  This was a great coffee with a great story...you can read about it on the La Minita website .  It's been a while since we've had a Costa Rican coffee in our lineup...perhaps it should make a return?  Stay tuned for updates!

Beautiful day..great coffees...great people...you just can't beat it! 

This weekend continues The Tour of America's Dairlyand - a new professional cycling series which will showcase 10 Wisconsin cities in 11 days in June.  Stone Creek Coffee is proud to be a sponsor of this event in it's inaugural year!

The series winds down this weekend with the historic Downer Avenue Bike Race on Milwaukee's East Side.  Stop down and see us for some free coffee samples and bike race fun!

This series is presented by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and will kicked off in Waterloo on June 19. The series runs through June 28.

Tomorrow night is our very last Sound Travels night in Bay View, and it should be the best yet!  Tomorrow is the perfect night to come and see what all of the excitement is about.  88Nine Radio Milwaukee and DJ Marcus Doucette will be kicking off the night with some music from Mexico.  Pair that with Stone Creek's Organic Mexican Coffee, and what more could you ask for on a beautiful summer evening? 

Travel down to Bay View between 6 and 8 pm tomorrow for a fun evening out on the patio.  We can't wait!  See you there!

Win a FREE five pound bag of Milwaukee Blend at Stone Creek Coffee in Whitefish Bay.  Look for the display in our window June 1-June 24, stop inside, and enter to win!  The winner will be announced at the Silver Spring Drive Street Re-opening Celebration on July 3rd from 1-3 pm! 

Stone Creek Coffee is participating with several other Whitefish Bay businesses so be sure to do some window shopping during the month of June down Silver Spring!  Good luck!

Remember that this Sunday is Father's Day! Here at Stone Creek we have got some great ideas for those of you looking to find the perfect gift that describes your Dad. Also, remember that if you stop in on Sunday with your Dad, he will get a free 12oz coffee!

Does your Dad like hiking?

He might like our single orgin Sumatra.

 It has a robust, distinct flavor and a pleasantly smooth finish.

Does your Dad like relaxing, particularly in a hammock?

Our Organic Sumatra might work out well for him.

Organic Sumatra exhibits a clean, colorful array of flavors without a trace of taint or bitterness.

Does your Dad like to haul stuff? (well, is always there to help you haul stuff?

I think he would appreciate the Organic Fair Trade Blend .

A smooth, well-balanced cup of coffee with a bright, fruity finish.

*Thanks to the baristi at Whitefish Bay who designed this awesome chalkboard!

Recipe: COLD BREW COFFEE (yields: 1 gallon)

INGREDIENTS:

·         ½ Pound Stone Creek Coffee SUMMER BLEND* ground for a French Press (course grind)

·         1 Gallon Cold Filtered Water
·         Cheesecloth
·         A Rubberband or String
·         1 Gallon Pitcher

DIRECTIONS:

·         Fold the cheesecloth into an approximate 15in.x15in. square. Be sure to double layer the cheesecloth.

·         Pour the ½ pound of coarsely ground Summer Blend* into the double layer of cheesecloth.

·         Bring the sides of the cheesecloth to the top of the grounds to create a bundle of coffee. Be sure to enclose all of the grounds.

·         Fasten the rubberband or string around the top of the cheesecloth securing the grounds inside. IMPORTANT: Be sure to leave room for the grounds to expand in the brewing process. Leave about 3 inches from the top of the grounds to the fastener. This will allow all the coffee flavors to be released.

·         Place the coffee bundle inside the one-gallon pitcher.

·         Top the bundle off with one gallon of water. Be sure the coffee bundle is immersed in the water.

·         Allow the coffee to sit out on the counter for 12-15 hours.

·         After the 12-15 hours, remove the coffee bundle and refrigerate.

·         Serve the coffee over a full cup of ice.

 *Any Stone Creek Coffee would work, but the Summer Blend is what was used in the testing for this recipe.

Name: Kim Kisiolek
Position:  Production Manager
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 4 years, started as a barista at Glendale as well as a production team member, then I was a barista at Bay View while the on the Farmer's Market team, and then back to the factory to my role now.
Favorite Drink:  Hot- a medium Americano
Cold- a medium 2% monin vanilla iced Latte
Favorite Coffee: Ethiopian- either Sidamo or Harrar. Market Day Blend is my favorite SCC blend by far.
Favorite Music: Everything except smooth jazz and pop-country.
How do you Sip Slowly?   Walking and biking, taking my pup to the park, going to see concerts, barbeques.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek Coffee? I was lucky to have found the coffee industry and to be with Stone Creek Coffee.  I am surrounded by a lot of really good people who share similar passions.  Our work has a positive, direct effect on families in countries of origin when we purchase our relationship coffees.  Stone Creek is aware of its affects on people and the environment, is innovative and open to change, allows all of its employees access to the financial reports, takes care of its employees with good benefits, celebrates successes, and uses the not-so-great experiences to grow into something better.  At Stone Creek, we have a constant discussion of how we can better ourselves as a whole.  We work on recycling programs, composting, education, 'work-life balance' that monitors if employees are enjoying their job enough to leave energy for life outside of work, community support through donations.....the great projects are endless.  I enjoy being surrounded by friendly, respectful people that I can learn from and laugh with.  I can honestly say that you'll never walk into any room here without seeing a smile, and as much energy as I give, I certainly get back.

Friday's Amazing Coffee Deal:

Friday is the last day of Bike to Work Week, so this means that tomorrow is the last day for those amazing bike deals! We have had a lot of fun this week celebrating biking and meeting people who bike to work as well as celebrate it as a lifestyle. For further information on how you can be involved in the Milwaukee bike community check out the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin: http://www.bfw.org/

Erica by her sweet ride...

This evening Sound Travels Live will feature flavors and sounds from Sumatra and Indonesia. Marcus has prepared an interesting set with modern, Indo-hop  music from this region.  Here's an excerpt from the Radio Milwaukee  blog:

Starting the week with An interesting Sound Travels saw a progression away from the traditional music that I focused on last Friday and onto the streets of places like Bandung, West Java or Jakarta. I can t claim to say that any of this is terribly new music, but it is a bit representative of hip hop (and a bit of heavy metal!).

Check out the video from an artist FU Clan:

We hope to see you tonight!  Sample our robust, single origin Sumatra Mandheling Coffee...  6pm-8pm at Stone Creek Bay View.

Thursday's Amazing Coffee Deal:

Also, just a reminder that our commuter stop is at our Bay View Store on Lincoln & Kinnickinnic. Stop by from 7am-10am tomorrow and Friday to get a free coffee!

Wednesday's Deal:

For the past two mornings I've had the pleasure to wake up before the sun has risen to serve coffee to the people who bike to work! This morning was a lot of fun at the Bay View Commuter stop at our store. Erica, Kevin from the the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin/Cyclelogical and myself sent many happy bikers off on their way to work with a strong, hot coffee. We were lucky that it didn't rain today, but it was a little chilly. I had to bust out my winter hat again... ack.. where's June!!? Nevertheless, we had a great time. Here's some photos from today and yesterday:

A smiling Erica at the tent...

A nice fellow who is currently on his journey to Brooklyn, NY from Portland, Oregon! He is attending a bike polo tournament in Milwaukee! Check out his blog: www.twoarmparty.com

One happy customer!

check out this sweet set-up! A holder for coffee and water... totally prepared for the elements!

Katie our intern, serving coffee out of Bob (our van) by the bike path!

Don't forget to stop by our stores this week for our amazing deals for Bike Commuters!

Bike to Work Week has begun! Stop to any of our stores this week for some rad deals on coffee... that is, if you bike to the store! At our Bay View location, we have a commuter stop in which bikers get a free coffee Monday-Friday this week, as well as bike repairs sponsored by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. (7-10am M-F)

If you didn't get a chance to bike to our stores today, (it was pretty rainy...) check us out tomorrow!

Name: Krista Schicker
Position:  Barista at Wauwatosa
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 7 months
Favorite Drink:  A presspot of Dark Guatemala or Factory Reserve. I also enjoy Sportea.
Favorite Coffee: Dark Guatemala
Favorite Song: Whiskey in the Jar by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman
How do you Sip Slowly?   Gardening, I've planted echinacea, parsley, basil and lavender. I also enjoy listening to music, walking my dog, and riding my electric pink and purple bicycle around town.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek?   We sell a quality product, and I have total confidence in promoting and supporting our business policies.

Join us at the East Town Market this Saturday, June 6th from 8am to 12:30pm!  Rachel and Lara will serve up our delicious coffee and iced tea, as well as offer a variety of whole bean coffee.  Each Saturday we will offer a new AMAZING deal of the week.  Meet us at the market to find out what the deal is!  Then sip slowly and enjoy all the delights of the East Town Farmers Market, located in Cathedral Square Park.

Last night was the kickoff to our June Sound Travels Live event series with 88nine Radio Milwaukee. Even though it was on the chilly side for a June evening, we all kept warm with the hot Brazilian jams and the delicious Brazilian coffee. Here are some photos from last night's event:

Marcus on the decks...

Athena and Jess cheer to Brazilian Coffee...

Creekers having a darn good time...

And Jordan, morning DJ at Radio Milwaukee with a big thumbs up!

Sound Travels Live: Listen to global grooves from the coffee producing regions of the world while sipping coffees from the same origin!

Wednesdays in June, 6-8pm: Stone Creek Coffee Bay View

Growing up, Father's Day at my house was always about relaxation...well for my Dad anyway.  My sister and I would set up the hammock, my Mom would grill out, and my Dad would read and take it easy the whole day.  He took full advantage of his holiday, but who could blame him?

Here at Stone Creek, we think relaxation is the ideal way for a hard-working Dad to spend Father's Day, and we want to help make your Dad's day of relaxation even better!  Bring your Dad into any Stone Creek Coffee Location for a free 12 oz. coffee on Father's Day, June 21st. 

Let him relax and Sip Slowly!  He deserves it!

This Saturday you have more to look forward to than just the weekend!  Our 2009 Farmer's Market Season is kicking off at the East Town Farmer's Market in Cathedral Square Park.  Stop down from 8am-12:20pm for fresh produce, plants, bakery, and of course, COFFEE! 

Hope to see you there!

This week kicks off Sound Travels Live with Marcus Doucette and  88nine Radio Milwaukee .  Stop down to Bay View on Wednesday evening from 6p-8p to listen to tunes from Brazil. We will also be offering free coffee samples of our Brazilian coffee - it's going to be a great evening!

You can also tune in to 88.9 FM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 noon to 1pm to listen to Sound Travels and music from the coffee lands!

We here at Stone Creek Coffe are gearing up for our upcoming Bike to Work Week, June 6th-12th!  In order to best share our excitement with our fellow coffee-enthusiasts, we have some special treats for those of you biking to our stores. 

For anyone who bikes to one of our stores during the second week of June, we have these special treats to offer:

• Saturday/Sunday:  Receive 10% off your purchase just for riding to our store
• Monday:  Receive a coupon for a free 12 oz. beverage for your next visit
• Tuesday:  Receive a free shot of our Green Bike Espresso in any coffee or tea beverage
• Wednesday:  Receive a free 12 oz. Americano made with Green Bike Espresso
• Thursday:  Receive a free 12 oz. latte made with Green Bike Espresso
• Friday:  Receive a free(!) half pound of ourGreen Bike Espresso when you purchase a pound or more

We can't wait to see you!  Stop by our commuter stop in Bay View, Monday thru Friday (June 8-12) from 7-10 a.m., for a free coffee and information on bike advocacy. 

One of our core values here at Stone Creek Coffee is to 'Sip Slowly'.  To me this means really taking life in and letting the day-to-day be not just the day-to-day!  Finding inspiration in our daily rituals helps this idea become reality.  Patrick Halligan, a loyal customer of Stone Creek Coffee, has found inspiration in his daily ritual of visiting our Grand Avenue store, so much that he has been creatively moved to express his experience through poetry.  Enjoy!  And have fun finding your inspiration today!

Las Baristas

The youthful blonde baristas and

Their cheery friend from Dyer

Make Javas, Mochas, Chais, and such

To please the Stone Creek buyer.

Their customers appreciate

Their bright and kind demeanors,

As by their magic skill they brew

Espresso drinks and steamers.

We wish them all the very best

Of things within their ken

And hope their freebie drink cards read

An everlasting ten.

Summer is just around the corner, and as the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, it's time to introduce this year's Summer Blend.  This year's Summer Blend is the perfect combination of coffees from El Salvador and Ethiopia to carry us into this fantastic season.

Our Green Coffee Team had this to say about the new blend:

'Grown on the Las Nubes farm in the mountains of the Santa Ana region in El Salvador, this coffee brings notes of citrus and spice to the blend.  This combines with the very clean and fruity taste of the Ethiopian Sidamo to produce a unique blend that will keep you deeply engaged until the last sip.  Summer Blend is a full bodied blend with hints of fruit, chocolate, and spice.'

Summer Blend is now available Online or by contacting our Wholesale Team.  It will be available in Our Stores beginning May 27.  Don't kick off your summer without it!

Once again we have partnered with local radio station, 88nine Radio Milwaukee to bring music to the streets of Bay View! Join us Wednesdays in June, along with 88nine DJ Marcus Doucette, for Sound Travels Live.  Every week, join Marcus as he spins global grooves from the coffee producing regions of the world on the Stone Creek patio in  Bay View. We will also be offering free coffee samples from the same origins as the music. 

It's music...and coffee!  Sound Travels Live begins on Wednesday June 3rd at 6pm with music and coffee from Brazil!  See you there!

Now more than ever it is important to support local businesses in Milwaukee. The members of Our Milwaukee, have teamed up for the Buy Local, Live Local & Save campaign. Visit certain Our Milwaukee member businesses from May 18-24 for specials, deals and discounts celebrating the Buy Local Movement. Visit any Stone Creek Coffee Location that week and receive $1 off a pound of Milwaukee Blend. Support our community...sip slowly!

As I type, Stone Creek Coffee owner and founder, Eric Resch is setting up in Whitefish Bay for Meet the Owner Day!  Throughout the summer, Eric will be visiting our stores to meet you...our customers! We know that it is only our customers who make Stone Creek possible, so Eric wants to hear what you have to say.

Stop into our locations between 8am-10pm on the days listed below to chat with Eric and, just maybe...get a free latte!

• May 20 - Shorewood
• May 27 - Grand Avenue
• June 3 - Bay View
• June 10 - Wauwatosa
• June 17 - Delafield
• June 24 - Oconomowoc
• July 8 - Glendale

This weekend continues The Tour of America's Dairlyand - a new professional cycling series which will showcase 10 Wisconsin cities in 11 days in June.  Stone Creek Coffee is proud to be a sponsor of this event in it's inaugural year!

The series winds down this weekend with the historic Downer Avenue Bike Race on Milwaukee's East Side.  Stop down and see us for some free coffee samples and bike race fun!

This series is presented by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board and will kicked off in Waterloo on June 19. The series runs through June 28.

A few weeks back we launched an awesome line-up of new Summer seasonal drinks: the Thai Iced Coffee, Iced Coffee, Creek Cooler, Iced Tea and Lemonade! Satisfy your thirst with one of these cool drinks!

Thai Iced Coffee: Cold Brewed iced coffee, almond,
vanilla, cardamom and a dash of cream.

Cold Brewed Iced Coffee: A delicious dark roasted
Brazilian coffee brewed overnight for extra smoothness.

Creek Cooler: Hang Loose! This is a refreshing
blend of lemonade and iced tea.

Smoothies: 100% natural, pure crushed fruit smoothies.
No preservatives or corn syrup.
Available in Mango and Four Berry.

Name: Marcus Schmidt
Position: Barista at Oconomowoc
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
2 years
Favorite Drink: A small 2 shot, no-whip, Swiss Mocha
Favorite Coffee: Milwaukee Blend
Favorite Song:  Passenger Seat by Death Cab for Cutie. 
How do you Sip Slowly?   Working! Believe it or not, I really enjoy working, and relaxing in my free time.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek?  The people, I love everyone I work with!

Happy Friday Afternoon!

This is just a friendly reminder that this Sunday, May 10, is Mother's Day.  Be sure to let your mom know just how much you care about her...and what better way to do it than to bring her into any Stone Creek Coffee Location for a FREE 12 oz drip coffee!  That's right...all moms will receive a complimentary 12 oz coffee on Mother's Day in all of our stores. 

To all of our moms out there, 'Happy Mother's Day!' and don't forget to Sip Slowly.

In celebration of World Fair Trade Day , Stone Creek Coffee as well as many other local businesses will be participating in the Milwaukee Fair Trade Crawl tomorrow! Enjoy Fair Trade discounts, tastings, specials, and events across 31 locations in Southeastern Wisconsin.

• Click here to print off a Milwaukee Fair Trade Crawl Passport

As part of the World Fair Trade Day on Saturday, May 9, all 8 Stone Creek Coffee locations will be offering:

• 10% off all Fair Trade Certified/Socially Responsible coffees

• From 2p-3p that day (in honor of the World's Largest Coffee Break) we will be offering a FREE 12oz cup of Fair Trade coffee.

• Our Whitefish Bay,Wauwatosa, Delafield and Bay View locations will lead customers in a coffee tasting of 4 Socially Responsible Coffees AND offer education and awareness about our Socially Responsible Coffee Initiatives!  Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE EVENT!

So get out there! Shop locally, support your local Fair Trade Community and celebrate World Fair Trade Day! and... get a cup of Fair Trade Coffee while you're at it!

Taking the time to sip slowly and extract specific characteristics in a coffee is something we try to do at the Stone Creek Coffee Factory on a regular basis. Today I took the time to focus all my senses on a single origin-our Factory Reserve-The Burundi .

My first encounter with the Burundi was a few months back at the cupping table with all four cups in front of me a mystery. Every other Friday we do blind cuppings at the Factory and challenge each other to guess what is on the table. I was convinced that the Burundi was a blend of coffees because of the complexity. When told otherwise, I was baffled and began rattling my brain for origins that matched the characteristics I found in the coffee. My two guesses were Kenya and Tanzania. Nope. The Burundi. Until this cupping, I hadn't even known of Burundi's existence. Not only did my geographical knowledge bank expand at this Friday cupping, but so did my love for African coffees!

Today s French Press of the Burundi exhibited the following characteristics:

• Aroma: Sweet; amaretto fragrance.
• Initial Taste: Smooth; left a honey-like coatingl; offered a delayed taste of coffee that suddenly burst into a full flavor.
• Flavors: Dark roast; bold; very complex-like a blend; left a heavy, pleasant, clean flavor on the back of my tongue.
• Afterthoughts: Very clean cup, smooth; balanced; subtle at first; rich aftertaste; complex; Excellent morning cup for the days I don't have to rush to work - several cups could be enjoyed sitting outside!
• Body: 7
• Brightness: 4

I highly recommend the Burundi.  Get it while supplies last, though, because our Factory Reserve Burundi is scheduled to be off shelves in June or July.  Oh, my!  What intriguing coffee will we get in next?

Name: Rachel Mueller
Position: Barista at Glendale and Farmers Market Manager
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About a year and a half
Favorite Drink:  Swiss Mocha
Favorite Coffee: Red Sky Blend
Favorite Song: These Days by Alien Ant Farm
How do you Sip Slowly?   Biking- both mountain and road, playing with my dog Moose, and ceramics.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek?   I love my co-workers. We have a lot of fun and enjoy making relationships with customers.

Meet the man who started it all...

Our big boss, Eric Resch, will again be making a visit to each of our eight stores over the next couple of months to get out and talk to some of our customers.  Eric's visits last year were so helpful, that he's hitting the road again.

We know that our customers are really the people who make Stone Creek possible, so Eric wants to hear what you have to say.  Beginning Wednesday, May 13 at our Whitefish Bay store, Eric will be hanging out from 8AM to 10AM.  Feel free to stop by and say hello, let him know what you think of our stores, give him your ideas, or beg him for a free cup of coffee!  Each week, Eric will be in a different store, and we'll keep our blog updated with his schedule. 

Stone Creek Coffee has recently been awarded the 2009 Ethical Business Leadership Award for Environmental Stewardship from the School of Business and Legal Studies at Concordia University. Here are some of our initiatives that we have been recognized for:

• Ethical:
  -Socially Responsible Coffee Certification System
  -A Fair Trade licensed roaster
  -Buying Direct- establishing direct relationships with farms
  -Supporting the Centro Rural Educafé school in Brazil
  -Donating coffee to the community and to non-profits to support their cause.
  -Offering coffee education to our customers and staff
   -Our goal is to purchase and sell 100% Socially Responsible coffees by the year 2010.
  
  
• Environmental:
  -Encouraging our customers to reuse our resealable half, one, and five pound bags when they purchase more of our coffee by offering discounts of up to $1.00.
  -Recycling 100% at the stores and factory
  -'No Waste' brewing program for wholesale customers
  -Compostable Greenware cups
  -Working with farmers who practice sustainable farming methods
  -Compost Coffee project in stores- free grounds for any customer
  - Giving coffee grounds and roaster chaff to local farmers and gardeners for their soil.
  -Using recycled-30% post consumer material for catalog printing
  -Using reclaimed materials in building and architecture of stores and factory
  -Choosing to be locally-focused: deliveries only within a 45 mile radius of the Stone Creek Factory in Downtown Milwaukee
  -In November of 2004, we installed an afterburner unit on our primary 60-kilo drum roaster, minimizing our roaster's release of smoke and air pollutants
  -Offering a 15 cent discount to customers who bring in their own travel mug for a drink
  -Sourcing local vendors for projects and products when possible
  

It is our commitment to constantly push ourselves to become more ethically and environmentally conscious with all of the decisions we make. Thank you to Concordia University for recognizing our efforts and practices!

World Fair Trade Day is upon us!!!! 8 days and counting! Lots of thanks goes out to the Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition for organizing this event locally and for sponsoring the World Fair Trade Crawl. World Fair Trade Day is a global effort to recognize fair trade practices and products. Globally, the US will celebrate with 80 other countries, and locally Stone Creek Coffee will be celebrating with 30+ local, Milwaukee businesses through the World Fair Trade Crawl.

Join Stone Creek Coffee and celebrate World Fair Trade Day on Saturday, May 9! Here are some great things happening in Our Stores :

• As part of the World Fair Trade Crawl on Saturday, May 9, all 8 Stone Creek Coffee Locations will be offering 10% off all Fair Trade Certified/Socially Responsible coffees.
• From 2p-3p that day (in honor of the World's Largest Coffee Break) we will be offering a FREE 12oz cup of Fair Trade coffee.
• Our Whitefish Bay, Wauwatosa, Delafield and Bay View locations will lead customer in a coffee tasting of 4 Socially Responsible Coffees AND offer education and awareness about our Socially Responsible Coffee Initiatives!  Everyone is welcome to attend this FREE EVENT!

It is going to be a super day to stop by a Stone Creek Coffee store on Saturday, May 9 to celebrate justice and fairness in our world!  Also, please get out there and support the 30+ other local businesses celebrating World Fair Trade Day. 

Visit www.milwaukeefairtrade.org for a complete list of World Fair Trade Day Crawl participating businesses and their Fair Trade offerings.

Chocolate and Coffee... Can you ask for anything more? Today at the factory we indulged in some delicious chocolate from our friends at Pair Chocolates in Barrington, Illinois.    

We paired the chocolates with two different coffees, our single origin Colombia, which expressed characteristics of: milk chocolate, walnuts, caramel, black currants, cashews, and vanilla.  We paired a Dagoba Roseberry bar, a Veré Vanilla Bean Dark Chocolate, and a Veré Pomegranite chocolate .  All of which was delicious, especially the Pomegranite chocolate.

Carrie and Autumn deep in thought as they pair the coffee and chocolate

The second pairing was with our Organic Mexican Coffee which expressed characteristics of: chestnuts, milk chocolate, cinnamon and cashews. What a great coffee to pair with chocolate! With the Mexican we paired a Theo Bread and Chocolate bar, a Veré Citrus Dark Chocolate, and an Alter Eco- Dark-Milk Chocolate bar from Bolivia.  I was blown away by the Alter Eco Bar, I enjoyed the chocolate melting in my mouth as I sipped the coffee... What a great way to Sip Slowly and enjoy some of the greater things in life such as chocolate and coffee.

Stone Creek ladies! where were the guys? I guess women really do LOVE chocolate...

Name: Shannon Smith
Position: Barista Trainer & Quality Control Director
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
6.5 years: Started as a barista at Whitefish Bay, then I was Lead Staff and then Manager. Then I moved to the Factory to become the Retail Office Manager, and now I am in my current position.
Favorite Drink:  
Hot: Americano with a splash of cream
Cold: Cold brew iced coffee with a splash of cream
Favorite Coffee: Currently the Garden Blend, (75% Brazil and 25% Ethiopian Sidamo) There is a gush of blueberry flavor followed by a clean, balanced finish of creamy chocolate.
Favorite Band: I like everything from Dimmu Borgir  to Hank Williams III
How do you Sip Slowly?   I enjoy traveling with a cup of coffee as one of my traveling companions. Whether this means driving to work with a latte or sipping a doppio in Mexico, coffee is always there to keep me company! I also especially enjoy drinking my coffee on a Sunday morning when I m making waffles.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek?   Because we are able to make a positive global impact with the product we sell everyday. Striving for direct relations with the farmers we buy coffee from and making a difference in  our local and global communities is a pretty awesome thing to be a part of.

Hello friends! In case you haven't heard, we have some AMAZING offers today in our stores to celebrate Earth Day!

Check out these awesome deals:

-If you bring in a travel mug, you a receive a free coffee or tea beverage!

-All of our travel mugs are $1.00 off! 

-Free coffee grounds for composting! Grab a bag of  free coffee grounds in our green compost cans at our participating stores.

So get out there... Grab a cup of coffee, do something green and celebrate Earth Day!

An article in last week's Milwaukee Journal Sentinal featured a story about the SMUG - a travel mug with an embedded RFID chip that would allow users to essentially carry their gift card in their mug!

The SMUG was conceived of by Marquette Universtiy student, Chris Hallberg.  Chris and his group, under the advisemnt of our owner, Eric Resch, won the undergradute award for Best Business Plan. 

Chris and our R&D department (and by R&D I mean a bunch of caffeinated coffee lovers!) will be continuing to test this product over the coming months.  We'll keep you posted on details of when this may make an apperance in our stores.

Congratulations to Chris on a great idea! 

Name: Lacey Severson
Position: Barista at Whitefish Bay
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 3 Months
Favorite Drink:  Dark Chocolate Mocha
Favorite Coffee:
Red Sky Blend
Favorite Band:
Dave Matthews Band

How do you Sip Slowly?   I enjoy being outdoors, traveling (especially to Brazil), experiencing different cultures, and volunteering.

Why do you like working at Stone Creek?   I really like the neighborhood atmosphere and developing relationships with our customers.

 
SCC Bay View: 2266 S. Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee, WI

Along the border of Lake Michigan, south of Jones Island, from Lincoln Avenue to the north and Howell Avenue to the west, south to Morgan Avenue changing to Oklahoma Avenue heading east, lies the community in Milwaukee known as Bay View.  

We moved into Bay View the summer of 2003. Since then we have been proud to be a part of Bay View's community and culture. We love being neighbors to local surrounding Milwaukee businesses and sharing a unique area in our great city.

Bay View has gone through many stages of improvement. Before Stone Creek, the building was a Salvation Army thrift store. When we moved in we also took over the responsibility for the corner lot that was previously owned by the city of Milwaukee. We were able to landscape the property and create the garden that it is today. With the help of other businesses wanting to revive the area our community has grown to something rich and full of character. 

Currently in our stores we also are offering something rich and full of character ... our Milwaukee Blend ! Commemorative Label #4 depicts Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View.  Milwaukee Blend is available Online and at our stores.

Label No. 4: Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View: Unique Shops, salons, cafes and restaurants line the street with colorful and ornate exteriors.

Earth Day is on the way!  Next week Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day.  In honor of Earth Day, stop into any Stone Creek Coffee Location and receive a free coffee or tea beverage if you bring in your own mug.  Don't have a mug?  No problem!  Choose one of our three travel mugs and purchase it for $1 off the normal price...then we'll give you a free drink!

Using your own mug for your daily coffee reduces the amount of paper cups that are used and end up in landfills.  It also allows you to sport your "Stone Creek Pride" at work, school, or in the community! 

Earth Day, 2009 is the 39 anniversary of Earth Day...check out http://www.earthday.net/ for information on The Earth Day Network and plans for next years 40th Anniversary Celebration of Earth Day. 

Reduce.  Reuse.  Recycle...and Sip Slowly.

Name: Jess Imig
Position: Development Director- Division II
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
Almost 2 years. I started as a barista at Wauwatosa, then moved to lead staff, then manager, and now at the factory as a Development Director.
Favorite Drink:  An Americano
Favorite Coffee: Dark Guatemala  ---It's very robust. I need that kick! It has a nice even balance of body to brightness...
Favorite Song: I'm excited to catch some shows on the Dead Tour (as in the Grateful Dead) this summer.
How do you Sip Slowly?  Early morning walks with my dog Meesha... especially if it is still dark out- even in the dead of winter.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek?  I think that it is really cool to come to work every day to a group that feels like a family, I don't think you can get much better than that! 

In our stores we just launched a new program entitled, 'Staff Picks'. Every week, two baristas at each store pick a different coffee and write their personal description about it. Here are some of last week's picks from Glendale:

Zack at Glendale- Pick: Dark Sumatra
A mellow coffee with a full, deep richness. Dark
Sumatra is enhanced by the fiery and smokey tastes
of dark roasted beans. A good strong coffee that gets
down smooth and easy.

Ashley at Glendale -Pick: Cinnamon Spice
The subtle infusion of cinnamon sticks into
the grounds is not so much a flavoring as
an afterthought that layers on the tongue.
A relatively mild blend makes this my favorite
coffee at Stone Creek!

Greetings and Happy Tuesday!

Last week I posted a blog asking people to send me their best April Fool's Day pranks...I got a few response that I thought I'd share:

"I went around my office placing small post it notes that read "April Fool's" over the bottom of everyone's computer mouse. It was amazing to see how many people never thought to pick the mouse up and look at the bottom. It was a very simple and non destructive trick that went over quite nicely."

-Robert Hawthorne (my dad!)

"I purchased 20 hot dogs and hid them all around my vegetarian friend's apartment while he was away. (I have a key) I also bought some Axe Body Spray and sprayed it liberally in each one of his drawers. In retaliation he stole my dog while I was sleeping. I guess if you can learn anything from this is that you should never give your friends your spare keys."

-Jordan Melrood, Whitefish Bay Barista

Thanks to my dad and Jordan for sending these in...have a great day!

Name: Liam Butler-Green
Position: Lead Staff at Bay View
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 1 year
Favorite Drink:  A small hazelnut soy latte
Favorite Coffee: Full City Blend
Favorite Song: I celebrate Glen Danzig's entire catalog.
How do you Sip Slowly? Read, write a little, watch every movie that comes out.

Why do you like working at Stone Creek?  Stone Creek is the 3rd coffee company I've worked at, and it's the 'baby bear's porridge', it's not too hot, not too cold its, 'Just Right'

We hope you all enjoyed yesterday's April Fools Edition of the Buzz Blog.  Thanks to all of you who wrote in to let us know how much you enjoyed our stories.  Got any good April Fool's Day tricks that you played on people?  Send them to sipslowly@stonecreekcoffee.com.  We'll post the best ones on our blog.

Happy April!

We are proud to announce today that Stone Creek Coffee Roasters of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has signed an exclusive multi-year distribution deal to sell the new Apple iMug. According to the blog Stone Creek Coffee will begin selling the new iMug in early May. The iMug is the latest product to come out of the silicon valley media darling, Apple. According to Steve Jobs, who commented through a company spokesperson, the iMug will revolutionize the sleepy travel mug industry.

The iMug is a sleek insulated travel mug with a flash memory MP3 player built into the base of the mug. According to Stone Creek Coffee s president, Eric Resch, the development of the iMug started two years ago after a casual conversation Eric had with two Apple executive at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. According to Resch, Sipping your coffee from your iMug while listening to Madonna was a natural&.we had to make this happen.

The 12 oz. iMug will be available in five brushed stainless steel colors and 40GB and 80GB players.

Move over Coca Cola and make room for a 12 oz Boston Latte! Sources say that a press conference is expected today where American Idol Executive Producer, Simon Fuller, will annouce that Stone Creek Coffee will replace Coke as the official beverage sponsor of American Idol - Season 9.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a top level executive from Milwaukee, WI based Stone Creek Coffee said, "We're thrilled to team up with American Idol. The success of the show has been tremendous and we're happy to be a part of it."

The now famous Coca Cola cups that sit before judges Randy, Paula, and Simon will soon be replaced by Stone Creek's "Green Cup." The change in sponsorship was alledgedly brought about when current contestent and Milwaukee native, Danny Gokey was enjoying some of his hometown coffee on the set. Judge Randy Jackson tried a taste and stated, "Dog! This stuff if dope! We've got to get some of this in here!" .

Need an extra boost to get you going in the morning even before your morning cup of coffee? Well, try our new Expresso Uplifting Shampoo . Experience the aromas of coffee... in your morning shower! This Shampoo is enriched with coffee oils that penetrate deep into your scalp, giving you a boost of caffeine, like a shot of espresso!

ABOUT EXPRESSO: An invigorating and balancing shampoo enriched with organic pure essential coffee oils, with extracts of organic Sumatra and Ethiopian coffees. Ideal for all hair types - particularly beneficial for greasy hair and flaky scalp.

DIRECTIONS: use a nickel, not penny or dime, but nickel sized drop. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Too much or too little can cause severe rash and breakouts. Massage into scalp and feel the spark of energy from the caffeine, then lather and rinse, then lather some more and rinse again. Repeat daily. Use Stone Creek s Expresso Hydrating Conditioner for further results.

The Stone Creek Promise: We guarantee your full satisfaction or we will replace or refund your purchase. For details, comments or questions, simply call us at 1-414-270-1008.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS:

WOW!
'Who ever thought a shampoo could wake one up - this one does the trick, it gets me going even before I get my latte!' -little Debbie

GREAT AROMAS!
'This shampoo is amazing! Coffee being one of my favorite aromas mixed conveniently into my shampoo, my husband can t stop smelling my hair!'
-Suzie Q.

ONE BAD HAIRDAY!
'As a loyal Stone Creek customer I thought I would try out their new shampoo, it smelled wonderful, and I just loved the packaging! But I didn't see the warning on the bottle in fine print that said only to use a nickel sized drop of shampoo, I was enjoying this product until I started to break out in hives! Stone Creek: Why don't you stick to something your good at? like Coffee!!'
-angry customer

Stone Creek Coffee Roasters of Milwaukee, WI is the proud recipient an EPA grant to build a hydroponic dome. The dome will be built on top of Stone Creek Coffee's Factory facility located in the downtown area of Milwaukee and its service is to provide coffee education. The dome will be constructed of reclaimed glass materials and will extend 30 feet high. The impressive complex will host 500 species of plants, including the Coffee Arabica. The 150 coffee plants are expected to yield 300 pounds of coffee cherries annually, which will then produce approx. 60 pounds of coffee beans. 'The goal of this project is to provide an all encompassing coffee experience' said Athena Agoudemos, Vice President of Retail. 'Visitors will experience the harvesting, processing, and roasting stages of coffee production, they will see the complexity and challenges involved to produce coffee, learn of the global effort and care required and this will lend a great appreciation to their ritual of coffee drinking.' The project is expected to be completed in Spring of 2013.

At the beginning of this month, I asked the staff at the Stone Creek Factory a question, 'What is your ideal coffee moment/scenario?' This is what they responded:

I love my morning cup outside. If I had my pick of places in the world for my morning cup it would either by in the high country of colorado or on my dock in the northwoods.  For me sipping a cup of Stone Creek Coffee to take the chill off the morning air is one of the simple joys of life.  -Eric

Someday I'm going to savor an early morning cup of coffee standing on the ground where it was grown--perhaps watching the sun rise over Ethiopia.  -Autumn

Enjoying a refreshingly smooth Iced Coffee on a Spring day at the South Shore Farmer's Market...warmer weather is on its way! -Steve

Sipping a Boston latte while listening to my favorite radio station 88nine and doing some arts and crafts- knitting, screen printing, or sewing.  -Christie

Sipping a cup of Red Sky while reading the paper on Sunday morning and dreaming of long days of summer that are just around the corner. -Jess O.

I enjoy traveling with a cup of coffee as one of my traveling companions. Whether this means driving to work with a latte or sipping a doppio in Mexico, coffee is always there to keep me company! -Shannon

When I get out and brave the cold, I like to take my dog to the dog park with a travel mug of coffee in hand. -Kim

Sitting across from a coffee-loving friend and chatting while sipping some Milwaukee Blend. -Carrie

The ritual of drinking my very first cup of the day!  Sipping Slowly by tasting its flavor characteristics and reflecting on the global effort, care and dedication that made this moment possible.  This daily ritual never ceases to be extraordinary.  -Athena

Going to the local coffee shop back home with all the ladies in my family and lounging on comfy couches. What am i drinking?...A cinnamon-honey latte.  -Lisa

My favorite coffee moment is definitely having a small skim latte from SCC Grand Avenue right after an intense Y-Cycle class at the Downtown YMCA.  It is the perfect way to replenish after a great work out and give a boost to the rest of the day! -Katie

Sipping a cup of Socially Responsible Coffee, while being inspired by a book written by a fellow human being who, in her or his own unique way, wants to make this earth and it's people happier! -Jess I.

We all know that supporting our local Milwaukee businesses is important, and it's great to know that there are organizations out there that encourage the public to celebrate our community's unique character by choosing local.

Our Milwaukee is a business alliance that advocates for locally owned businesses the goal of the organization is to build market share for Milwaukee's independent businesses by increasing awareness about the personal and community benefits of choosing local. Stone Creek Coffee has been a member of the group since 2008.  Check out the Our Milwaukee website and find new ways to support Milwaukee!

www.ourmilwaukee.net

Name: Lisa Zmich
Position: Assistant Production Manager
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 2 years, started as a barista at Whitefish Bay and then moved to the factory to work in production.
Favorite Drink: A medium Boston Latte with 2 pumps of cinnamon syrup. 
Favorite Coffee: Organic Ethiopian
Favorite Song: November Blue by the Avett Brothers
How do you Sip Slowly? Volleyball and Kickball in the summer. I play in a league at Tracks in Riverwest. I also enjoy going to the beach.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek? I like working for a humble, close-knit company, and I love the feeling of going to work and working with friends-- it makes the stressful work load not as stressful!

Today we begin serving our 2009 Garden Blend. We ve brought together coffees from Brazil and Ethiopia to form this year s Spring time treat. Here s what our coffee pro s had to say about Garden Blend:

2009's Garden Blend is a complex coffee displaying an initial gush of blueberry flavor followed by a hint of nuttiness and earthy flavor. The coffee finishes with a pleasant liveliness with a hint of pepper that leaves an enjoyable aftertaste. The smooth taste is reminiscent of a creamy chocolate. With low brightness and a well-rounded medium body, this is the perfect cup to welcome warmer, brighter days!

Garden Blend is available Online and in Our Stores. Our wholesale customers can contact Customer Service to order yours today!

Name: Lauren Krohn
Position:  Barista at Delafield 
How long have you been with Stone Creek?About 6 months
Favorite Drink: Iced Mexican Spice Latte
Favorite Coffee: Naturally Spiced Cinnamon
Favorite Song:  Angeles - by Elliot Smith
How do you Sip Slowly? I like to draw, write and read.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek? The interaction with customers, and it's a fun environment to work in.

The perfect cupping to welcome brighter days! Today was not just another ordinary Friday cupping, it was the first of the season! Led by Shannon, she picked a bouquet of 4 unique coffees all roasted here at Stone Creek Coffee. 

 
Shannon and Autumn about to 'break' for the aroma test

Coffee #1: This coffee had a wild blueberry fragrance which also carried its way through the flavor. This was our Ethiopian Sidamo, a favorite among Carrie and Christie.

Coffee #2: This coffee had a strong, lingering body and had smoky flavors throughout. This was our Semi-Washed Brazil.

Coffee #3: This cup was the popular pick for our cupping. As a favorite among Katie, Jess I. and Shannon, they enjoyed the smooth body and hints of grapefruit. This coffee is our new Garden Blend! (available 3/25)

Coffee #4: Did this one throw us for a loop or what! This coffee expressed flavors from all over the board, from savory to sweet- like molasses. This coffee is our new Factory Reserve from Burundi. Jess O. was a big fan of this coffee.

Carrie, Katie and Jess about to 'break'

It's the luck of the Irish and a cure for the Silver Spring construction blues!  Starting on St Patrick's day, March 17, thru March 31, get two punches on your drink card when you order any size coffee or tea based beverage!  Follow the rainbow to your pot of gold and sip slowly at Stone Creek Coffee in Whitefish Bay! 

Name: Autumn Gurgel
Position: Customer Service Representative, Wholesale Team 
How long have you been with Stone Creek?
About 4.5 years, started as a barista the Bay View store, then was the Farmer's Market manager, then managed at Bay View, spent a year in Hong Kong, and is now at the Stone Creek Factory!
Favorite Drink: Hot: Americano Cold: Soy iced boston latte

Favorite Coffee: I love the fruitiness of Ethiopian coffee.
Favorite Song: I'm hooked on the song, Normandie- by the Shout Out Louds
How do you Sip Slowly? I use yoga to burn off my caffeine energy and I recently became a reader of non-fiction.
Why do you like working at Stone Creek? Everyone here is really committed to the company and our mission. I really enjoy being a part of it and the enthusiastic atmosphere!

At the end of February, my friend and colleague Athena and I took a trip to visit the coffee growing regions of El Salvador. For those of us that work in the coffee industry, visiting a farm is a must do in our career. Over the next couple of weeks, Athena and I will be compiling our notes and pictures to put together a presentation that will include photos, video footage, and stories of our travels. In the mean time, I wanted to share some of my thoughts on why it so important to support coffee growers around the world:

"Visiting a coffee farm was one of the most amazing experiences Ive ever had. Seeing the entire process first hand really changes how I feel about drinking my morning coffee. There are so many people involved in getting the coffee into our cups&from the harvesters who walk the steep mountain slopes handpicking the coffee cherries, to the mill manager who works countless hours to ensure everything is running smoothly, to the workers that carry 150 lb bags of coffee on their backs. As Im sipping my morning coffee, Ill never forget all of those peoples faces and all of the hard work that went into getting that coffee from crop to cup. Socially Responsible Coffee is more than just a business decision&its the right thing to do."

The next time you grab your morning coffee...think about all of the people that made it possible for you to enjoy it. Of course...don't forget to sip slowly.

Andrew Carnegie was an innovative entrepreneur in the railroad business during the late 1800s. He is often remembered for the remark, Pioneering dont pay. While this may be true for mass production businesses, it couldnt be farther from the truth in the world of specialty coffee.

Our latest Factory Reserve was sourced for us by our friends at Café Imports in Minneapolis. Their team is constantly on the hunt for unique, treasure coffees all over the world. After several trips (and many cuppings!) to Africa, they were able to find this amazing coffee from the country of Burundi. This coffee was grown in the Kayanza region in northwestern Burundi, just south of the Rwandan border. More than 3500 smallholder farms deliver their crops to this washing station where the cherries are fully washed and then sun dried on raised drying tables called African Beds.

Burundi is a coffee growing region to be watched...until recently, smallholder farms could only sell coffee by mixing with other farms and selling in large lots.  Now, washing stations are able to keep lots seperate, resulting in a much higher quality coffee. 

We received samples of this coffee earlier this week and cupped them immediately...the result is a truly unique cup with a very bright flavor. Hints of pineapple and cedar can be detected while enjoying coffee from the up and coming coffee region of Burundi! 

We're very excited to bring you uur latest Factory Reserve.  It will be available beginning Friday, March 20.  Pick up a bag Online or in Our Stores!

Here he is...Felix Alexander Resch. Felix was born March 11, 2009 at 2:01pm. He weighed in at 6 lbs 10 oz and is 19 in tall. Congrats again to Eric and Melissa...Felix, welcome to the world!

The Stone Creek Coffee community increased by one today with the birth of Felix Alexander Resch!  Congratulations and healthy wishes from all of us at Stone Creek Coffee to our owners Eric and Melissa Resch.  We can't wait to see photos!

It's a very rainy morning here in Milwaukee...as I as driving to work this morning, I thought about one of my previous positions here at Stone Creek...I was once our delivery driver. For the most part, delivering is a great job...you get to travel to all of our stores and to our wholesale customers...drinking A LOT of coffee along the way. In the summer time, there's nothing like cruising down I-94 with the windows down, music on the radio, and sipping on a refreshing Iced Americano.

There are, however, downsides to delivering as well...take today for example. Bryan Kraft from our Production Team is loading up the van as I type. He's only been at work for about 45 minutes and he's already soaking wet. It doesn't look like conditions will improve much today. My only advice to Bryan is this...grab an extra large serving of coffee, throw in a shot of espresso, and just remember that Summer is right around the corner!

My sincere thanks to Bryan, Donny, and Dave who constantly brave the conditions to keep our stores and customers stocked up with Amazing Coffee...you guys are awesome!

Did you try to call us?  Apparently we were experiencing some technical difficulties for the last half hour or so...our phones were down.  Everything appears to be working again so call away!  If by chance you can't get through...feel free to email us at info@stonecreekcoffee.com. 

Happy Friday!

Athena and I arrived home from El Salvador on Sunday evening. We had an amazing trip and learned a great deal about how coffee gets from producing countries to our morning cup. The experiences that we had have changed our views and thoughts on how we enjoy coffee. We also enjoyed the incredible 95 degree weather!

As we get settled in and sort through our notes and photos, there will be more blog entries to come about our trip and the coffees that we sampled. For now...here's a photo of Athena and I on the Santa Elena farm. We spent some time picking coffee...our inexpereince showed as we didn't have a great yield.