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Aaron Blanco

Male

San Antonio, Texas

United States

Profile Information:

What is your position in the coffee industry?: coffee roaster, industry professional, consultant
Where are you located? ( City and Country ): San Antonio, Texas, USA
How many years have you been in the industry?: I have six years in specialty coffee including work as a barista and retail management, and currently as a roaster.
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 best thing I have to offer is some roasting and cupping experience, as well as the opportunity to see what a growing, one-man roasting operation looks like (sampling, cupping, buying, web-retail, shipping and marketing).
What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?: Any.
About Me:: With six years of experience on both the retail and wholesale sides of the coffee industry, Aaron takes pride in exceptional customer service. He enjoys sourcing under the radar coffees that raise eyebrows and works hard to develop intricately nuanced flavor characteristics from each coffee in his lineup.

Outside of coffee, Aaron enjoys reading history, theology and geopolitical books and blogs. He has been married for ten years to the best wife in the world and has recently taken the mantle of home educator for his two amazing children. And every spring his eyes grow wide at the expectant wonder of another baseball season.
About My Company:: Dude, we just built our very own 20 lb roaster from spare parts!
Website:: http://www.browncoffeeco.com

Comment Wall:

Ryan Willbur

If the tacos and margaritas really are better, I'll see you tomorrow! Either way, you should come to the WRBC at the end of March... It's in Berkley this year and will be worth checking out. Hope all is well for you!

Dec 16, 2007
)on Lewis

All is calm. All is bright.

I dig your new digs... look forward to what becomes.

Dec 17, 2007
Andy Newbom

is that a prison photo Aaron!?

Jan 25, 2008
Aaron Blanco

Pretty much looks like I'm in some kind of pain and discomfort, doesn't it, Andy? Heh!

Jan 26, 2008
Aaron Blanco

Andy...are you going to Guat in March?

Jan 26, 2008
Phil Proteau

Hey there, didn't you once say you had some friends in my neck of the woods who might want to get a cup? I want to spread the love.

Jan 28, 2008
Aaron Blanco

Hey Phil. Yeah, but it may require you to take drastic actions. Go into the Starbucks in Lionville (Pottstown Pike, next to the Quiznos) and ask for Dan Ryan. That guy is passionate about learning more about coffee and he would be a great guy to work in a lab or roasterie.

Jan 28, 2008
Phil Proteau

I ain't affeared of no "Bucks.

Jan 28, 2008
Aaron Blanco

Have fun. Tell him I sent ya.

Jan 28, 2008
Silas Moulton

Is that a beard I see?

Feb 8, 2008
Aaron Blanco

yeah, i had forgotten my all-in-one hairpiece for my trip to Boston. :)

Feb 8, 2008
Mike Love

Hey man what's going on? how have you been.

Feb 9, 2008
Tony Serrano

I look at the card you sent Andy and laugh. I like to laugh. Thanks, Aaron.

Mar 31, 2008
Troy Reynard

I love San Antonio Aaron! I'm a lifetime Spurs fan, wish I was there this weekend for the Final Four. Cheers.

Apr 5, 2008
Troy Reynard

Hay Aaron, we're still hangin on, just a slow start!

May 27, 2008
Scott Snodgrass

Well hopefully we will get to take you up on the offer. We have almost too much going on around here these days, but its very good. We're cleaning up our act, and business is a little slow to grow, but we can just keep trying.

We're visiting a farm we've been working with in colombia at the end of july, I'll send a pound your way when we get it in. The coffee we tasted needs some work, but it looks like the farm has some real potential.

Jun 6, 2008
Max Gonzalez

Hey Aaron, great to speak with you earlier. Looking forward to featuring you guys as our guest espresso next week.

Sep 3, 2008
Max Gonzalez

Put the Jacinto Espresso in the hopper this morning. Been playing with it for several hours and are now pulling some f*cking great shots (the best shots are pulling when we dose between 25-26grams). The Kenya dances on the palate with great citrus tones and the finish is long and sweet from the Guatemala. Thanks for letting us feature you this week.

Sep 10, 2008
Max Gonzalez

Hey Aaron. Thanks. It is good to be getting back to normal and I'm glad we are still able to do the throwdown. We will go over what you need to know when you get here, just show up a little early. Mainly you just need to be ready to have a good time.

Sep 25, 2008
Max Gonzalez

Aaron, I couldn't thank you enough for coming down and being a judge. I had such a good time and was so glad to have so many people out in attendance. I hope that we will have more events like this and an opportunity to get the industry together more often. I will post some pictures soon. Cheers.

Sep 30, 2008
Al Soto

No problem. I have been very busy trying to get my plans approved anyway. Today hopefully will be the day and building can begin. I am hoping to open within a month.

Oct 1, 2008
Greenway Barista

me wants to try your espresso! nice meeting you last weekend btw

Oct 1, 2008
Greenway Barista

I would really love to go! I don't know if I can afford the time at this point though. Shoot me an email at tuscanycoffee@gmail.com
I would like to order a few pounds of both your espressos to sample!

Oct 2, 2008
Max Gonzalez

Aaron, I got the shirt yesterday and am sporting it today. What an awesome print.

Oct 17, 2008
Kristen

Hello! I'm moving back to texas in a few weeks. Just wanted to say hi, and I like your shirt design! I'll have to grab some coffee from you at some point. :)

Oct 24, 2008
Kristen

oh, sweet! thank you. :) I'll keep in touch.

Whats your favorite coffee you're drinking lately?

Oct 24, 2008
Al Soto

Hey, how goes it? How is business? Getting close to my grand opening. See ya!

Nov 19, 2008
Al Soto

Got my commercial equipment finally put in. Sent you an email. Hope you got it. I wanted to try your cottonwood you mentioned some time ago you were going to send. :)

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

By the way that t-shirt is that a design of yours?

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

I got the barista exchange email, but not yours. Hmm.

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

nope. no email.

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

Finally got it. Thanks a bunch.

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

Theology? Hmm. Want to give some detail on that subject? :) I was a history major in college. I concentrated on the American Revolution period. What part of history do you like?

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

Well, when you get a chance visit my personal site albertsoto.com and my church site atruechurch.info and tell me what you think. We are pretty "radical" in our stance on the word of God. We don't pick and choose. You can also find some doctrinal videos we have done on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/nodeceit

Dec 9, 2008
Al Soto

Thanks Aaron. Been very busy. Running a coffee shop is a lot of work. Not officially opened yet, but because of our location people have been buying product. :)

Dec 16, 2008
Al Soto

Thanks. I liked it. I want to do a side by side comparison with the Ambergris from Doubleshot, but me and my employees liked it. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Life has been crazy.

Jan 2, 2009
Al Soto

Hey Aaron. Good to hear from you. I am tired...........! Running a coffee shop is hard work. Business is slower than I want, but consistent. I just have to be patient and slowly build my customer base. How's it on your end?

Jan 16, 2009
Greenway Barista

just tried your espresso blend up at catalina. i like what you are doing! are you planning on visiting houston soon?

Jan 19, 2009
Silence

After returning from my trip, I will arrang the schedule to visit you as soon as possible.

Jan 19, 2009
Greenway Barista

AH! Congratulations!! Sounds like i should head up there. My Aunt works for Christus up in San Antonio, so maybe i can pay her a visit!

Jan 19, 2009
Chris Conde

I should've gotten you down at the shop yesterday around 12 cuz i was getting some pretty spectacular results from your espresso; nice brown and copper colors, steady flow, just awesome brotha, nice work!

Jan 22, 2009
Greenway Barista

just thought you should know, i am pulling peregrine as my guest espresso this week!

Feb 19, 2009
Greenway Barista

i just picked up a couple pounds on his suggestion. it has a bold and smooth mouth feel and compliments a cappuccino nicely. With guest espressos i generally only offer espresso, macchiato, or cappuccinos.

Feb 19, 2009
Greenway Barista

aaron i am using your guatemala finca vista hermosa 40% mixed with max's brasil magiana sul de minas 60% and am getting good results! granted i only mixed up two pounds of the blend but its been well received as an espresso.

Apr 7, 2009
Greenway Barista

can i hitch a ride to ATL?

Apr 9, 2009
gwilym

Hi, glad you saw the first one - it had more impact the first time round

May 2, 2009
Al Soto

Hey Aaron how goes it? Been busy myself. I just added some outdoor seating. You can see a pic on my profile. Hope all is well.

Jun 4, 2009
Al Soto

I have had a hard time getting a dependable barista. I have been working 10 hours a day because of it. Still trying to grow the business. We hit a wall for a few months, but now that summer hit we are starting to see an increase in business. Started cold brewing as well. My customers really like it because it has 70% acidity. I use it for ice coffees, lattes and frappés.

Jun 4, 2009
Silence

Are you open this weekend?

Dec 25, 2009
Silence

I will see you tomorrow!!

Dec 25, 2009