Zak Rye

Male

Ann Arbor

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?
barista, manager, coffee shop owner, barista trainer, coffee roaster, industry professional, supplier
Where are you located? ( City and Country )
ypsilanti michigan
How many years have you been in the industry?
9, 10ish
If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?
yes
Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.
The Ugly Mug Cafe in Michigan-- not the one in Seattle, Orange County, Memphis, or anywhere else. We opened about 3 and a half years ago in an old Greyhound Station. We used Victrola Coffee for the majority of the time before we started roast our own beans-- they pretty much held our hand until we learned to walk. We started roasting about 2 years ago under the e-mail supervision of Tonx and now we rock.
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?
eh, anywhere probably.....yeah, no.....anywhere.
About Me:
My vices include: coffee, cigarettes, beer, whiskey, music, and bad tv. I have a dog and no cats. I'm the Rep for the Great Lakes Chapter of the BGA. Sometimes I write for Barista Magazine. My favorite color is brown and I think I'm probably burning a batch right now...
About My Company:
laid back.
What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?
groupies.
Website:
http://uglymugcafeandroastery.com

Comment Wall:

  • Sean Bartley

    Im going to rock down there soon to the shop and check it out, when do you work usually?

    Dec 21, 2007

  • rob

    Michigan Indy Shops unite...what up my man...know of any jams going down in MI any time soon?

    Jan 5, 2008

  • Jack Davis

    Hey Zak
    long time no type- got any jams coming up?

    Apr 7, 2008

  • Andrea Otte

    awww... i like the article zak. not too shabby.

    Feb 11, 2009

  • Karli Slinger

    i want to work at the ugly mug cafe.

    Feb 19, 2009

  • M

    i saw you...


    sorry wrong picture:


    it's an easy mistake.

    Feb 21, 2009

  • Jason Dominy

    Dude, you got it! Was a blast getting to work with you! Hope to see the Ugly Mug one day! See you in Atlanta?

    Feb 23, 2009

  • Laura

    word to the fuckin mittin.

    Feb 24, 2009

  • Matt Milletto

    Zak - nice meeting you in Chicago. You coming to USBC?

    Feb 24, 2009

  • Chris DeMarse

    zak... way to bring the serious mug to judging... it's always more settling to know that there are judges who know their stuff. nice bmag article, too.

    Feb 26, 2009

  • Tony Dreyfuss

    Thanks, Sis!

    T

    Feb 26, 2009

  • Chris DeMarse

    i'll make a point to come visit the mug if you promise you'll let me play on your synesso a little... i'm dying to get some bar time on one.

    Feb 27, 2009

  • Chris DeMarse

    i'm in!

    Mar 1, 2009

  • Billy Kangas

    Zak... So sad to hear you'll be out of town for my wedding. Thanks for all the ways you help and support my coffee stuff... let me know if there's any way I can repay you...

    Mar 10, 2009

  • Chris Tellez

    Mr. Rye... I think we need to keep in touch... I know I'm way up here in canada.. but next year I want to plan a barista tour.. and if possible I would love to stop in at the Ugly Mug. I work at Espresso Post in Collingwood Ontario. kowabunga dude.. Hope to hear from you

    Mar 10, 2009

  • Michelle

    Finally read that B-Mag article on the Ugly Mug. I am impressed and jealous simultaneously.

    Mar 10, 2009

  • tif

    im visiting you fools the weekend of april 18th.

    Mar 24, 2009

  • Ethan Billips

    score on the "thats what she said" perfect usage.

    Mar 24, 2009

  • Jason Dominy

    What's up sucka?

    Apr 1, 2009

  • Chris DeMarse

    Zak,
    The time has come. My wife wants to go to Ikea in your neck of the woods.... which means I can pull the coffee card. Looks like we might be up your way on this saturday. Are you going to be around?

    Apr 21, 2009

  • Jason Dominy

    Hey, so I was wondering. Would you like to be the Great Lakes rep for the Barista Guild? Cause I would like you to. That's why. Let me know. Hope things are well up there! Missed ya in ATL.

    Apr 22, 2009

  • Bryan Wray

    Happy bday dude... I'm like a day late, but happy birthday non-the-less. Stopped into the Mug on Monday on my way back from SCAA and Ethan spoiled me with a couple great shots. I had already been in the car for like 16 hours, so I really didn't feel like going down to the Corner, but I like what you've done with the place. I haven't been in since the changes started going down. Last time I was in Jim was still on bar for you guys, so that's sayin' something.

    But yeah... birthday and stuff. You're an old man now aren't ya... you've only got like 2 more years before... oh I'll just leave it alone, haha...

    Apr 22, 2009

  • Chris DeMarse

    We'l be around noon on Saturday or maybe one.. depends on when we leave here... but I'll make sure it's in that window of time. Can't wait to get ugly.

    Apr 23, 2009

  • Chris DeMarse

    You guys were stellar today. I appreciate some quality time with the synesso and it was over the top for you to send me home with bundles of delicious coffee. Keep rockin' and keep it ugly.

    Apr 25, 2009

  • courtney marie

    who created the new profile pic ? it's rad. if you're making that into a shirt or sticker, i want one :}

    May 7, 2009

  • courtney marie

    yes ! thanks, man. & actually, alterra didn't work out :{ but, anodyne offered me a job, & i've been working there.

    May 10, 2009

  • Alex C. McGregor

    Hey man, congrats on the Great Lakes Reg. Rep. position!

    Jun 1, 2009

  • Luis Zaman

    You managed to make a repeat performance in Barista Mag huh? I just cracked it open for the first time, even in the summer they manage to keep me busy.

    Jun 2, 2009

  • Eric

    Again man, thanks for the shirts, they are big pimpin, and scare all the children out here in MKE. Hope the package came in all ok...

    Jun 21, 2009

  • Chris Tellez

    you want a young canadian barista in November? thats so convenient, because i am one and I'll be leaving my shop in November.. coincidence? kind of.. but only if you do in fact think you could take on an extra hand in the winter... let me know, and i can send you a resume.. thanks, Chris

    Jun 29, 2009

  • Chris Tellez

    I'm going anywhere that I find a job... i've had one or two places offer, and I have a palce set up in calgary if nothing else... but, i'm trying to see where else i could go, where i could meet some more people and get some more experience

    Jun 30, 2009

  • Eric

    Just wanted to let you know that I get compliments on those shirts everytime I wear them and rep the Ugly....

    Jul 18, 2009