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Stickman

Male

Sooke, BC

Canada

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: barista, coffee shop owner, coffee roaster
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): South Western Vancouver Island
How many years have you been in the industry?: 6
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?: maybe
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.: The Stick in the Mud COffee House is on Vancouver Island serving quality drinks to the thirsty 10,000 locals. We're pretty serious about our espresso.
I went to Bellisimo's ABCs in May 2007, opened the shop on 07/07/07 at 07:00 and have been learning more every day.
Began roasting in January 2010.

We'd be interested in mutual knowledge-sharing with anyone. I believe that everyone knows something that somebody else doesn't.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Anywhere!
About Me:: I'm thirsty!
Website:: http://www.stickinthemud.ca

Comment Wall:

Ben Cram

Hi Stick,
I own the Parsonage Cafe in Vic and also the Fernwood coffee Company. I roast Fair Trade Organic coffee daily. Nice northern Italian Espresso and several other blends. I am going to try to make it out to Sooke soon, (Someone gave my wife a g.c. for the harbour house a while ago)
Cheers,
Ben

Jan 4, 2008
Ben Cram

Have you been in to
parsonage in the last 13 mos.? That's when my wife and I took over. We're trying to improve the espresso program step by step.

Jan 5, 2008
Matt Milletto

David, how are things going man? I may be coming up to Vancouver later this month and will try to make it out to vic as well.

Jan 5, 2008
Ben Cram

Yes,
I am blending and roasting in house.

Jan 6, 2008
Ben Cram

Well, when we took over the cafe we started with a single group la cimballi jr. pour over, a Bunn grocery style grinder, and one of those little plastic tampers that come with the machine. The previous owner was roasting his espresso late into 2nd crack... The list goes on and on.
I have since purchased a new espresso machine (nothing fancy but a big step up none the less,) a proper espresso grinder, a nice RB tamper and
improved the roast and blend of the coffee.

Jan 7, 2008
Ben Cram

I actually don't know him. I just introduced myself.
If you are in vic swing by the shop and I'll give you some beans to try. If not I'll bring em up to you when I visit. What are the chances you're open on sundays?

Jan 7, 2008
Ben Cram

I close at 4:30 but I'm usually out of there by around 3.

Jan 8, 2008
peg bono

Thanks for the comment....what an adventure! Learning never ends!

Jan 11, 2008
J.P. Oughtred

thanks bud you to. I got some cool new products coming out of monin you should check them out. Give me a shout when your in town!!

Adios

Jan 13, 2008
Ben Cram

Dave,
I still haven't made it out your way but it's on my list. I stopped at Drumroaster the other day and met Geir face to face. Did you get a chance to try the beans? I have tweaked it a bit since that blend. (less acidic)
As for your hiring problems have you tried posting jobs on Craigslist its free and I got ten times the response over an expensive TC add.
Cheers,
Ben

Feb 3, 2008
Colin Newell

No. I insist - YOU the man!
Looking fwd to our next outing to Point No Point.

Feb 4, 2008
Ben Cram

We used craigs and resumes started coming in same day.

My grinder came back with brand new burrs the day after you visited. What a difference. You have to come back in and try a shot now!!

Feb 4, 2008
Curtis

That's a great tour!! Unfortunately it was my day off!! The only one I get this week and you manage to hit it!! Lol. Anyway, the 2% I only got in on Friday and it had been roasted Thursday so it was still REALLY fresh but I had to pull some shots nonetheless. I'll be getting a better handle on it on Monday and start playing around with the details. So far seems great though. There was hints of butter and caramel and I also thought it to be rather fruity and lively... though that was probably just from being so fresh.

Feb 10, 2008
Curtis

Hey,
just finished my first week with the new spro form 2%. the most noticeable difference im seeing is that the new stuff has a really smooth crema and very rich looking. I noticed with discovery it use to get verry bubbly and i had a hard time trying to reduce that. Anyway, just thought I'd share. Cheers!

Feb 15, 2008
Anni Caporuscio

Well, lord willing and the crick don't rise, we'll be here when you come back. Cheers!

Feb 19, 2008
Dan Baumfeld

well, stumptown helped me with this. between 14-16 grams of coffee ground at a fine filter setting.

8 or 12 oz water poured slowly over them, keeping all the grounds watered.

Feb 19, 2008
Dan Baumfeld

we do break about one glass one a week and at $8 they're starting to add up. the stainless ones make good drip?

Feb 19, 2008
Dan Baumfeld

I am definitely looking into this. I'll let you know what I find out.

Feb 20, 2008
Z Bancroft

Camarillo is in Southern california on the central coast near Santa Barabara. North west of LA. What's up with the roo in your pic?

Feb 27, 2008
Z Bancroft

Also, Wouldn't it be worth a road trip to OR to get a killer linea at a great price. Those machines are like sherman tanks...I am going to buy a used one soon myself.??? make a vacation out of it...

Feb 27, 2008
travis

i'm glad you liked the coffee, and the art. it's easier than it looks.
victoria is great. i'll definitely shoot you a line if i'm in your area.

Mar 4, 2008
Z Bancroft

again, as i have mentioned before, can you take a road trip? Might be a nice get away. I think the 4 groups are around 200lbs. Freight will be spendy, but again, might be worth it. I will call him.
Z

Mar 23, 2008
Ken Gordon

Thanks Dad, you're sweet. Any new shirts in the mud?

Apr 11, 2008
shane

Dude, when am I ever going to get to Sooke!!! In May, I guarantee it. Hope all is well.

Apr 23, 2008