One of my favorite discoveries so far in this 20% project is the San Diego Coffee Network (or SDCN). I stumbled upon this community of roasters, baristas, coffee aficionados, and all lovers of good java through Instagram, and I've really enjoyed learning about them and through them since. Their mission statement reads, in part:
As a team, our goal is to build a network of individuals interested in elevating San Diego’s coffee culture through social, educational and competitive member-driven events accessible to all.
Pretty cool.
As a team, our goal is to build a network of individuals interested in elevating San Diego’s coffee culture through social, educational and competitive member-driven events accessible to all.
Pretty cool.
In keeping with their "social, educational, and competitive member-driven" events, the SDCN has begun hosting Thursday Night Throwdown (#SDTNT), a monthly latte art competition open to professional and amateur baristas alike. Although it's only in its first season, TNT is already a fun experience. A couple of friends and I stopped by last week's TNT at Solutions Espresso to check it out. Here's the promo video:
After feasting on a crab cake sandwich from Devilicious Food Truck (best crab cake I've had in a while) and sipping some hot and cold brew coffees from locals The WestBean and James Coffee Co., we headed over toward the espresso bar to watch the Throwdown. It was super impressive -- just check out some of the photos below. TNT is set up in a bracket format, with two baristas going head-to-head at once and different pours being required in the various rounds of competition (because pouring steamed milk into 6-ounce cup is different than a 10-ounce one). Pours were judged on design, contrast, complexity, and overall drinkability appeal, meaning how much you'd want to sip it if it were served to you in a cafe. Oh, and it's all done free-hand.
Coffee? Culture? Community? Check, check, and check.
The next TNT is on March 20, 2014 from 7-9pm (details here). It's free. It's fun. There's food, coffee, beer, swag, and some mad latte art skillz. What more could you want for your Thursday night?
Coffee? Culture? Community? Check, check, and check.
The next TNT is on March 20, 2014 from 7-9pm (details here). It's free. It's fun. There's food, coffee, beer, swag, and some mad latte art skillz. What more could you want for your Thursday night?
Interested in learning more about
the San Diego Coffee Network for yourself?
Find them here:
www.sdcoffeenetwork.com
Twitter: @SDCoffeeNTWK
Facebook: facebook.com/sdcoffeenetwork
Instagram: @sdcoffeenetwork