Spring Break
The coffee issue
Diversions staff
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Diversions
Coffee. It's the fuel that drives us, the energy-giver that gets us through the day. It's a passion for many, as well as a necessity for some. It's been a traditional drink for ages, from the plains of Ethiopia to the parlors of Britain. Coffee has evolved from a simple drink to a whole culture. The coffee shop is a microcosm of society that is distinct and recognizable for its quiet atmosphere, cultured style and quality music. Coffee shops are the refuges of college students, struggling artists, tortured poets and budding writers. Stimulating intellectual conversations have occurred throughout history over a cup of coffee. With such a rich history, it's fitting that Diversions devotes an issue to such an influential setting. In this issue, we'll take you on a tour of three Monroe Avenue coffee shops - Interzone, Dutch Bros., and The Beanery - and review art and music that are in the coffee shop style. Enjoy!
The Drip Coffee
By Ross Leonard
First off, I want to clarify that I am not a coffee aficionado and only drink coffee on occasion, maybe four or five times a month, so you can take my opinion as valuable or just leave it at the door. I had actually never been in to a Dutch Bros. or Interzone prior to this week, so the whole experience was new to me. I have, however, been to The Beanery once before, but the coffee they serve is available in other places, so drinking its blend at the headquarters is not required.
The price of all three coffees is pretty standard and equal: around $2, give or take a few cents. With it being a cold beginning to the spring, coffee seems to be a fitting beverage to walk to class with. Hopefully you can also use it to motivate your academic attendance after having a rather brief spring break.
I started out my coffee journey at Dutch Bros. and displayed my coffee drinking ability at the window with everyone else for all the people walking by to see. I got a 16-ounce coffee that was almost to the boiling point, and I put two packets of sugar and some half and half in. I spent the next 10 minutes trying to cool it down so I wouldn't scold my mouth. When it was finally at a reasonable temperature to drink, I was pleasantly surprised, having expected a cheap franchise blend that would initiate a yawn. It wasn't a very harsh flavor and was easy to drink, which was expected from a franchise that looks to appeal to a very wide variety of people. It tasted like your average, everyday coffee. It was far from knocking my socks off, but then again didn't disappoint. However, the extreme temperature of it may have burnt my tongue and altered my tasting ability.
The Drip Coffee
By Ross Leonard
First off, I want to clarify that I am not a coffee aficionado and only drink coffee on occasion, maybe four or five times a month, so you can take my opinion as valuable or just leave it at the door. I had actually never been in to a Dutch Bros. or Interzone prior to this week, so the whole experience was new to me. I have, however, been to The Beanery once before, but the coffee they serve is available in other places, so drinking its blend at the headquarters is not required.
The price of all three coffees is pretty standard and equal: around $2, give or take a few cents. With it being a cold beginning to the spring, coffee seems to be a fitting beverage to walk to class with. Hopefully you can also use it to motivate your academic attendance after having a rather brief spring break.
I started out my coffee journey at Dutch Bros. and displayed my coffee drinking ability at the window with everyone else for all the people walking by to see. I got a 16-ounce coffee that was almost to the boiling point, and I put two packets of sugar and some half and half in. I spent the next 10 minutes trying to cool it down so I wouldn't scold my mouth. When it was finally at a reasonable temperature to drink, I was pleasantly surprised, having expected a cheap franchise blend that would initiate a yawn. It wasn't a very harsh flavor and was easy to drink, which was expected from a franchise that looks to appeal to a very wide variety of people. It tasted like your average, everyday coffee. It was far from knocking my socks off, but then again didn't disappoint. However, the extreme temperature of it may have burnt my tongue and altered my tasting ability.
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