Coffee meet - Sun 31 Jan (morning)

[Reschsmooth]

It has been about 3 years since the first annual coffee meet at Casa Reschsmooth, so figure it was about time for another.

In case the subject heading was a bit cryptic for you, it will be on the morning (kickoff at about 9am) of Sunday 31 January (2010). Physical ejection will occur from 12pm as residents need their nanna-nap from that point on.

Whilst I will be churning out 43 of my best beans at a time, our backyard is amenable to some good shootin' - particularly in the morning light: a north facing backyard with a tree-line at the back fence; backdrops including roller-doors (for the 'industrial' look), white painted walls (for the 'white painted wall' effect), painted doors (for the...oh, forget it), vegetation, wooden fences, etc; a side pathway between our house and the neighbour's; grass; concrete plus a dungeon (altough only under supervised access ).

It will also be good just to shoot the sh%t with fellow DSLRUserians over coffee.

Be warned, however, that there will be children about.

For the sake of space, I will be limiting attendance to 12-15 on a FCFS basis augmented for attendees having been DSLRUsers members for at least 12 months and a post count of at least, I dunno, a couple of hundred. I don't apologise if this sounds something not good, but given it is our primary residence, I feel entitled to be selective.

Please PM me if you wish to attend.

If weather is looking decidedly crap with a good chance of ordinariness, I will post on here by 7am of that morning that the meet is to be postponed - our interior space is more limited than the backyard - damn 1920s design - and is just not suitable for large gatherings. If no post at that time, assume it is still on.

[aim54x]

Patrick I am def interested...and a sunday morning as well....means I should be able to make it

[sheepie]

Sounds like a date - are we roasting? PM sent

[biggerry]

ohh, this sounds good, I got some very tasty Colombian Volcan Galeras Supremo that I roasted just the other day which is worthy of sharing (imo) and some not so good Harrar that I would like to offload

If there is room count me in. PM sent.

[Reschsmooth]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

The idea of roasting and comparing different single origins is a good idea. I will have to order some new beans as I am a little short.

If I am feeling extra generous, I may actually acquire a kilo of some very special green coffee - any guesses as to which one? (and no, it isn't rodent sh!t).

[gstark]

It has been about 3 years since the first annual coffee meet at Casa Reschsmooth,

And this will be the second annual one?

9am ? Hmmmm ....

Count me in, please. (PM being sent)

[Reschsmooth]

And this will be the second annual one?

Just keeping with the tradition set by the first one.

I have just ordered a bounty (14kg) of green beans.

Time and enthusiasm permitting, I will try different coffee brewing methods to give people an understanding of the impact they have on the same roasted coffee. I also plan to give people the opportunity of trying single origin versus blended coffee; rested versus freshly roasted coffee; and more (perhaps).

[Manta]

Yet another reason why I wish I lived closer. Sounds like an awesome event for lovers of coffee and cameras!
Very jealous

[gstark]

Yet another reason why I wish I lived closer. Sounds like an awesome event for lovers of coffee and cameras!
Very jealous

Simon,

Fly down for the weekend. Airfares are cheap. Make it an Oz Day (very) long weekend.

[Manta]

Very tempting Gary but work's a bugger that week and I'm booked to be in Melbourne for part of it. Melbourne coffee's okay but I'll bet it's nothing like Patrick's!

[biggerry]

I have just ordered a bounty (14kg) of green beans.

that should probably keep you going for the month ehh? what beans are we talking about (if you care to share before the big day)

[Reschsmooth]

I have just ordered a bounty (14kg) of green beans.

that should probably keep you going for the month ehh? what beans are we talking about (if you care to share before the big day)

Just a couple of South/Central Americans and an African:

Brazil Daterra RFA 'Sweet Collection' (green)
Guatemala 'Nueva Granada' Estate RFA (green)
Kenya AA Top Gaikundo (green)
Costa Rica Finca la Lia (green)

I still have a tiny bit of Kenya Gethumbwini Estate AA (green) left and a couple of kilos of Yirg. Running very low.

The surprise coffee (if I get it), is something else again.

[aim54x]

this is sounds like it will be quiet an experience.

[surenj]

Darn, wish I could attend. Have fun guys.

EDIT* Can you put me down as a maybe? [If my life has settled by that time, I will travel down from newcastle to attend this!!; and I don't even like coffee; yet ]

[idleowen]

ah Reschsmooth I can tell by your bean collection that you shop at Ministry Grounds!! Me too...........Neil is such a great guy and supplier!!
The Daterra is a great base for espresso .......
Columbian Corcega is my fave single at the moment!
Pity I cant make it would have bean good to combike the photography and caffeine!!
thks,nigel

[Photopotamus]

Patrick,

I don't quite meet the post count for entry requirements (a la: "You must be this tall to ride..."), but I'd love to join, were the invite extended.

Coffee, Convo, Company & Canon! What could be better !?!


PM sent.

[Geoff]

I'd love to attend and will watch and wait, as I am attending a buck's night the night before and am working at 2pm on Sunday. If there's room for me at the end of the queue I would like to attend, all be it in a probable state of hang over-edness.

[Reschsmooth]

Owen, I do shop at Ministry Grounds, although, whilst Neil is a nice bloke, he selfishly moved from Pendle Hill to the mountains. I say selfishly because he used to be very local to my brother who could pick up the beans from him.

I do like the Daterras I have had in the past and love using Brazilians as a base (take that in any way you want!).

I find adding a greater than 'normal' amount of Yirg gives my blends a great, 'winey' profile which I love.

Geoff, I will reserve a spot for you and your hangover.

[Steffen]

I do like the Daterras I have had in the past and love using Brazilians as a base (take that in any way you want!).

I personally try to avoid the Brazilians, they make the palate so waxy…

Cheers
Steffen.

[Reschsmooth]

I personally try to avoid the Brazilians, they make the palate so waxy…

But...........smooth?

[gstark]

I personally try to avoid the Brazilians, they make the palate so waxy…

But...........smooth?

But the screaming ... when you add the hot water ....

[Reschsmooth]

For the information of members and their guests, I will be in Brisvegas for the next week, so will not have any internet connection during that time*. I will take note of any additional PMs of those wishing to attend upon my return.













* It will be 1985 after all.

[Reschsmooth]

Thus far, there will be about 10 people attending, including myself and good wife. Cameron has volunteered to get some sweets from a local-to-him bakery. I ask everyone chips in about $5 to cover his costs?

I will PM my address once final attendees are confirmed.

[Mj]

Coffee 'n Cams... sounds like it might be worth getting up in the morning for this.
If I may be so bold I might put a hand up for this one... it's been quite a while since I caught up with anyone in these parts... Where did our mascot end up ???

Thanks for organising this 'annual' event again Patrick.

Michael.

p.s. oh and btw... how are you doing your roasting these days?

[dviv]

Patrick, do we need to re-confirm?

[Reschsmooth]

Patrick, do we need to re-confirm?

Yes - daily!

No, I will assume that people will be attending unless they tell me otherwise. You know [un]common courtesy and all.

[Reschsmooth]

If I may be so bold I might put a hand up for this one

Michael, even though you didn't use bold or any other text formatting, you can come.

p.s. oh and btw... how are you doing your roasting these days?

Mixture of popcorn popper and pan. The pan method is leaving interesting results as the coffee puck seems to swell more than with other beans and kind of 'blows off'. I attribute this to either under-roasting or excess chaff still in the beans.

The new Behmor roaster looks interesting (albeit at $550).

[biggerry]

I ask everyone chips in about $5 to cover his costs?

no problem!

[aim54x]

Cameron has volunteered to get some sweets from a local-to-him bakery.

Greek Bakery...any favourites that I should be making sure I include?

[gstark]

I ask everyone chips in about $5 to cover his costs?

Chocolate chips?

PP5 is most reasonable.

[Mj]

The new Behmor roaster looks interesting (albeit at $550).

Patrick... you can certainly do better than that... have a look here... http://www.behmor.com.au
I cannot vouche for the Behmor... but I do know someone that has one so I'll get a status report from them.

[biggerry]

From the Behmor..

You can now roast fresh coffee at home easily and affordably

why on earth would you do it if it was easy

and ya can by a crapload of beans for 400 bucks...

[Reschsmooth]

The new Behmor roaster looks interesting (albeit at $550).

Patrick... you can certainly do better than that... have a look here... http://www.behmor.com.au
I cannot vouche for the Behmor... but I do know someone that has one so I'll get a status report from them.

Choice bro

[Reschsmooth]

I now have about 2.3kg of roasted coffee sitting at home: 1.something as a blend of Brazil Daterra, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Costa Rican Finca la Lia, Guatemalan Neuva Granada & Kenyan AA and individual lots of the above in 150-250 gram lots for single origin tastings.

My plan is to go through a 'cupping' exercise where we can taste the individual characteristics of the various sinlge origin coffees, compare these to their prescribed tasting notes and even try them as single origin espressos.

Much like wine, each 'varietal' has its own, idiosynchratic flavours which can change depending on how they are treated. With wine, the flavours change from fruit dominance to 'bottle' characteristics the longer the wine is stored. With coffee, the flavours change from flavours relating to the bean to more roast dominant characteristics as the roasts progress. In this regard, the Yirgacheffe, which is more 'lightly roasted' will have a very, very different character to the Brazilian which is roasted longer. The blend will then, hopefully, show how these different characteristics interact with each other, much like blending for Champagne.

Looking forward to it, and hoping the weather is kind.

Biggerry may bring a suprise for those who like Italian machinery (and no, it's not a Ferrari or Lambo).

[dviv]

Sounds awesome Patrick

Biggerry may bring a suprise for those who like Italian machinery (and no, it's not a Ferrari or Lambo).

Carla Bruni?

[biggerry]

Carla Bruni?

She has said she is easily "bored with monogamy", and that "love lasts a long time, but burning desire — two to three weeks".

still waiting for my 2 weeks so you punks are gonna have to wait...

[blacknstormy]

I'm also really jealous !!!
Have fun guys, and many candid shots please

[sheepie]

Arrggghhh! My 'other' life has taken over!

Sorry guys - seems my better half had other plans for Sunday, and as it's her birthday this weekend I'd better obey - er ablige.

[Reschsmooth]

Leon, what better birthday gift than the gift of coffee (surrounded by camera-heads)? Tis very much a shame you can't make it.

Due to the prospect of inclemency, I will still be able to host the coffee meet on Sunday, but will lock in numbers now as, in the event of rain, we can move into the dungeon without being overcrowded.

I will PM my address to those who have RSVPed.

See y'all then.

[surenj]

Too late to put my hand up? SMS sent.

[gstark]

A big thank you to Patrick, Alicia and the boys for their generous hospitality this morning in hosting this meet.

Your graciousness is greatly appreciated, as was Cameron's contribution with the cakes and honey drippin's.

[surenj]

Yep! Thanks Patrick for a chance for us to enjoy all the foreighners... I preferred the Costa ricann's all the way.

Thanks also for Cameron for the tricks and treats.

All in all a very eye opening experience re coffee.

[biggerry]

A big thank you to Patrick, Alicia and the boys for their generous hospitality

Great to catch up, great coffee and company, hope someone posts some pictures of the morning...

[Mj]

A lovely morning had catching up ... and a little to be learnt by us all... thank you Patrick, Alicia and the boys...

So here were some of the people...


... and some of the equipment...


... and some of what we were all there to imbibe...

[aim54x]

HUGE thanks to Patrick and Alicia for putting up with us all. I had a great time with good company and equally good coffee!

When is the next one?

[Reschsmooth]

It was great to catch up with everyone and enjoy some good coffee. It's always nice to get together and just chat.

[dviv]

Thanks from me too, Patrick and family.

It was reallt interesting to learn a bit more about coffee and have a go at the tasting.

I'll post some pics up in the review section

David

[biggerry]

Thanks for the left over coffee too - I have now nailed the grind on that costa rica one, it is one fine smooth coffee, with some choclate notes even

[biggerry]

lol, believe it or not I did take a few pictures on the day..

In the drivers seat...

and..the fearless leader