Category archives: New Haven/Wall St. Store
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April 10th, 2010
Posted by Benjamin at 7:02 pm
Benjamin Wilkinson, of 84 Wall Street, is the Barista Guild of America’s Northeast Chapter Representative. A short article he composed on Blue State Coffee’s trip to Costa Rica was published in this month’s newsletter. The text follows:
Job Description:
Rainforest-trotting, relationship building, expert slurping, multi-language speaking, general all-round nice coffee person; Compensation: Limitless, but, intangible; Vacation Days: Every day is a vacation in paradise.
By Benjamin Wilkinson, Blue State Coffee
Northeast Chapter Representative
Over 3 years ago I took a part-time job as a barista with a local coffee shop for a shade past minimum wage (and tips!). I spent the next nine months learning anything I could about espresso, determined to improve the quality at the shop. Then, I quit. Pounding the portafilters was not paying the piper, or the bills. Two weeks later I received a phone call offering me the Manager position of the same cafe. I had spent the vast majority of my days plotting how I would run the cafe were I given the chance. I called my own bluff.
When I accepted the position, in that moment, I knew. I don’t know what you’d call it. Pick any one of the cliches: plunge, head first, deep end, holy coffee matrimony, etc. My fidelity was sealed to the industry. I was, and would be, beholden to coffee, until death do us part.
As a newbie barista, I hadn’t the faintest clue about Jeff Taylor, Peter Dupont or Duane Sorensen. I’d never cupped, never roasted, never seen a green bean. I’m not even certain I knew coffee grew on trees. But, I read and read and read. I posted articles from Home-Barista.com and CoffeeGeek.com on the walls behind the bar. I called Gimme! pretending to have the authority to buy just so I could get samples and a copy of Barista 1.0 (Sorry!).
Then, as the manager, I insisted on cupping with my staff, going to barista jams, competing in the regional competitions. Here I connected with a community I sensed was ‘out there’, one which Barista Magazine and Coffeed.com hinted at. I found roasters, equipment techs, trainers, sales reps, etc, who were all real, wonderful people with a passion for coffee excellence. I talked with Peter Giuliano and Jaime Schoenhut. I was forced to pull an espresso for James Hoffman, WBC 2007. I thoroughly embarrassed myself with excitement when I met Heather Perry (I think she’s forgotten). I witnessed Jon Lewis’ famous ‘Let it flow…’ keynote address.
Every time I turned around someone was saying how exciting it was to visit the farm where your coffee is grown and talk with the farmers themselves. Origin this and origin that. I started reading about the aforementioned coffee traders and more. If I could have written a job description, it would have read something like my opening lines. Enthralled, but, discouraged, I dreamed of one day, a decade away, vacationing in a coffee producing country, probably on my own dime.
Fast-forward two years and a job change later. I’m standing on the side of a mountain in a ramshackle building toasting contraband 100+ proof hooch with a group of farmers, baristas and a roaster. ASOPROAA! It’s 10:30 am. ASOPROAA is a cooperative of farmers near Asseri and Acosta, Costa Rica. We’ve used some of their coffees before, and, will use some hopefully for the indefinite future. The contraband guaro is hardly the best or most important part of trip. The people in that shack, The experience we are sharing in that moment is.
The company I work for is supportive of the specialty coffee industry and understands our commitment to traceable sustainability. Through diligent study, participation in SCAA events and competition, and a bit of luck I finally achieved my goal of a visiting origin. The experience is like none other and not as far away as you (Jo(e) Barista) may think.
I’m still a barista, still a cafe manager, and, in less than three years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit two coffee producing countries. I’m not exactly following in Geoff Watts or Peter Giuliano’s tracks. But, I’m not far behind. The community that I have foolishly thrown myself into has become my home, and, a place of endless opportunities, fanned by the flame of relationships. We like to call it relationship coffee because it sounds fancy, but, in reality it is just exactly that. The entire supply chain, from farmer to barista, is a product of human interactions. Those exchanges build the relationships that tell our story. Not my story, but the story of our coffee. This is what we, as baristas, sell: a demitasse with 1.5 oz worth of story.
ASOPORAA COOP Hooch Hut
Posted in Humor, New Haven/Wall St. Store, Personal, Stores | 
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February 21st, 2010
Posted by Benjamin at 3:59 pm
This weekend at 84 wall street BSC is offering two educational opportunities completely free to our customers!
Friday at 2 pm, Benjamin will give a brief presentation on Blue State’s trip to Costa Rica and Colombia. We will also taste coffees from the farms he visited. This ’seed to cup’ talk will be the first in a monthly series.
Saturday at 8:30 am, we’ll host a home roasting workshop. Did you know roasting coffee is as easy as using a popcorn maker? In an hour class, Mike Wenrick of Medical Teams International will teach you how to have the freshest possible coffee every morning. Space is limited. Comes with a 1/2 lb of coffee freshly roasted by you. Free!
Email events (at) bluestatecoffee.com for more information or to reserve a spot!
Posted in General news, New Haven/Wall St. Store | No Comments »
December 3rd, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 10:11 am
We know you’re shopping right now, or at least thinking about shopping, or, thinking about the fact that you need to be thinking about shopping for the Holidays.
Blue State Coffee has a variety of promotions to help you with the holidays this season. Chances are good the persons you’re shopping for drink coffee (or tea, chai, cocoa, etc). Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” gift, just give the one they can’t live without!
It’s Better to Give Than Receive
Offer your friend/family/favorite T.A. a $30 gift card and you’ll receive a $10 card or $10 on your existing account, or, a $50 card for your friend, nets you $15. Looks like this.
Gift Boxes Go A Long Way
They need coffee, they need a coffee drinking vessel. We thought of it all. Three selected pounds of organic, fairly traded Blue State Coffee and a famed BSC mug (as seen in the White House). Buy your $40 gift box in the store, in advance and we’ll ship it there for you, for free. You can buy gift boxes online with $5 shipping, here.
New Haven Store Only – $1 Coffee Until the Ball Drops
Buy a 100% US Grown corn, biodegrable travel mug with the BSC logo for $15 and receive $1 coffee until the New Year. You save a dollar every time you fill it up. Get a jump start on your resolution to stop wasting paper cups and start saving money!
New Haven Tricycle Holiday Party Booking
Having a holiday bash that wouldn’t be great without great coffee? Book the BSC Tricycle at your holiday party and we’ll show up with delicious organic coffee, whatever cupcake and tasty treats you desire and possibly elf shoes. (Okay, maybe no elf shoes.) Email events@bluestatecoffee.com for more information.
Posted in Blue State Coffee news, General news, New Haven/Wall St. Store, Providence/244 Thayer St. Store, Providence/Thayer St Store, Stores | No Comments »
October 21st, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 8:34 pm
Blue State supports 350.org this Saturday during the event for climate change. (http://bit.ly/1IWWSv)
We also support the Yale Hunger and Homeless Action Project (YHHAP) at their Shelter Now! fundraiser sleep out on the New Haven Green Saturday night. (http://bit.ly/2QWDPmP)
Make a difference. Get involved!
Posted in Blue State Coffee news, General news, New Haven/Wall St. Store, Our causes, Politics, Stores | No Comments »
October 20th, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 12:11 pm
We’ve got some seriously delicious fall drink action happening in New Haven.
Our employees have cooked up a few classic and inventive options for you to keep warm on blustery (and sleety) days.
Lisa’s Inferno (Spicy Hot Chocolate): Everything that is good about our single source organic cocoa from Ghana, with a serious kick.
Sean’s Count Chai-Cula: Sort of like the breakfast cereal, but not at all. Our classic chai with chocolate and extra spice.
Jessica’s Classic Caramel Apple Cider: Exactly what you expect, with cider from local CT farms.
Posted in General news, New Haven/Wall St. Store, Stores | 2 Comments »
July 15th, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 5:27 pm
Summer time and the bicycling is easy. Or, Tricycling.
Maybe you have seen the Blue State Coffee Cafe Tri-Cyclete out on the streets of New Haven peddling Iced & Hot Coffee. It’s very, very exciting. Our own adult tricycle is complete with bell, basket & buckets of delicious organic coffee. And with how the weather has been lately, the employees who get to ride it don’t complain.
To get tricycle location updates, follow our twitter feed @bluestatecoffee.
In honor of our love for bicycles, Blue State Coffee 84 Wall Street New Haven is sponsoring the monthly New Haven Bike to Work Breakfast. Come downtown to City Hall from 7:30 to 9:30 this Friday and there will be free coffee (provided by us) and pastries.
Support cycling and the lovely Elm City. For more info, click here.
PS: 100% of our employees bicycle or walk to work in New Haven.
Posted in Blue State Coffee news, General news, New Haven/Wall St. Store, Stores | 3 Comments »
June 8th, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 3:15 pm
Rumor has it that there is a bicycle…well, really, its a tri-cycle and the rumor is true. Blue State Coffee, 84 Wall Street in New Haven, will be rolling out (quite literally) the newest way to beat the heat in the next couple of weeks.
Look for the Blue State Tri-Cycle coming soon on a sidewalk near you, complete with copious amounts of our delicious Iced Hope Blend.
The easiest way to find out where the tri-cycle will be parked is to follow our new twitter feed. Yes, that’s right, we’ve finally joined the ‘revolution’.
Posted in Blue State Coffee news, New Haven/Wall St. Store | No Comments »
June 6th, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 11:13 am
It’s starting to heat up outside and Blue State Coffee in New Haven is ready to roll out the summer drinks.
We have delicious new smoothies in two classic, can’t miss flavors:
No powders, no pre-mixes, nothing but freshly made to order.
Strawberry & Raspberry
We also are featuring a line of Frosty Espressos. These short concoctions have all the punch of our classic espresso with a hint of extra deliciousness shaken in.
Try:
Classic Freddo (cold)
Hazel Jones (Hazelnut & Chocolate)
Red Velvet (Raspberry & Vanilla)
MiniMe (Mint & Chocolate)
Don’t forget out always delicious Blended Latte & Mocha, made fresh with no powders, mixes or additives.
Posted in General news, New Haven/Wall St. Store | No Comments »
May 2nd, 2009
Posted by Benjamin at 9:37 pm
Blue State New Haven will be open this coming week…
Sunday: 8:30 am to ALL NIGHT LONG;
Monday: OPEN 24 HOURS + Procrastination Session
- 12 AM – XBOX 360 ROCK BAND TOURNAMENT;
- 52″ Television
- Store-wide Speaker System
- $100 GRAND PRIZE + Free Coffee
Tuesday: Close at Midnight
Wednesday: Close at Midnight
Thursday: Close at Midnight
Friday: Close at 11 pm
Saturday: Close at 10 pm
We’re not kidding about the xBox Rock Band tournament. Tell your friends.
Posted in Blue State Coffee news, General news, Humor, New Haven/Wall St. Store, Stores | No Comments »
