Where else do you get to pose with armed dudes in kilts! (for free.)

First off was a tour of Stumptown's roasting facility and training room, where we did a little cupping of some very fine coffees. Joel (setting up cups to the right) was our host. He is one of the 2 roasters at the Stumptown.

We had the chance to evaluate about 8 coffees that were dramatically diffferent. I was impressed with everything on the table, but it was one of the milder coffees, Nicaragua Miraflor, that was the sleeper; sweet, milk chocolate, amazing balance ... just damn fine drinkin' coffee.

We had a tour of their nice 60 kilo Probat, then headed over to their original store to check out the other machines they use (pictured below). There is an old 1919 7 kilo Probat that several home roasters plan to break in and steal. The other is a really slick vintage ('59 I think) 15 Kilo machine. All of them are in great shape, and just shows how much care the Stumptown puts into everything, behind the scenes and, um, in front of the scenes. Etc.