Patzer Coffee

01/11/2024

November is here and so is the newest issue of Appleton Monthly! Believe it or not, this is the Holiday issue! Rather than a guide to coffee gifting again this year, I thought I’d encourage you all to take a little break this holiday season.

29/10/2024

I’m sure you’ve heard of Arabica coffee, right? Arabica is one of the four main species of coffee and is the most common with quality coffee. Arabica is most often specified by specialty or craft coffee roasters and labeled on the bag. It is harder to grow and harvest because it grows at higher elevations. It has a more prized flavor profile with nuance. A good comparison I’ve heard before is to think of Arabica as Apples. Within that category, there are LOTS of varieties with drastically different flavor profiles. A Granny Smith does not taste anything like a Honeycrisp, yet they are both apples. There are obviously the more common varieties like the two I mentioned, but there are also some rare ones like the Pink Pearl or the Black Oxford that you don’t see very often. Hybrids or crossed varieties are also growing in popularity. The same is true of coffee varieties, though admittedly, I don’t think the flavor profiles vary as drastically for the common coffee drinker.
Some of the more common varieties are Caturra, Typica, and Bourbon. However, some of the more rare varieties have been getting attention in recent years. Pictured here is a Rume Sudan I bought from Crema Coffee Roasters (other Crema coffees can be purchased locally at the Urban Market Neenah). This variety is known for its low yield (each tree does not produce many fruits) so it is rarely harvested as a single origin, but due to its diesease resistance, that is changing. Other “rare” varieties growing in popularity for a variety of reasons are Pink Bourbon, Wush Wush, and Laurina. The last one, Laurina, is an interesting one because it’s naturally LOW in caffeine which can create a great alternative to decaf coffees.
There have been entire books written on this subject so this post is just a brief introduction. What kind of information do you look for on your coffee bag? Do you look for the variety of your bean? Growing region? Flavor notes?

31/08/2024

I’m sure that the almighty algorithm isn’t too fond of a Friday evening post, let alone the Friday of a holiday weekend, but I’m posting anyway. (Feel free to like, share, and comment to prove it wrong).
The September issue of Appleton Monthly is out now and the cover story is the “Women’s Inspire Awards” so I took the opportunity to highlight a few Women forward coffee shops in the area.
I’m sure I missed a few here and there so let me know in the comments for next time. Thanks!

12/08/2024

Last week I was finally able to stop and check out the Pawffee Shop Cat Cafe. I took the kids with me and they loved getting to go over and play with the cats. I say “go over” with good reason too. While the Paffee Shop is actually one whole business, they are actually separated into two completely separate spaces.
First we walked into the Cafe side to order and sign a waiver for the other side. Surprisingly, I didn’t even order a coffee, as I had already had more than my fair share that’s day. I did order a savory Bacon & Cheddar scone though and it was delicious. The kids had cookies, though they want to go back for the edible cookie dough. We sat on the cafe side to enjoy our food before going over to the cat side.
Once we finished, we went over to the cat side. There were several people over there enjoying their beverages so I know you can take your drinks over there, but I didn’t ask about the food. I think there was a total of 12 cats at the time we went. The woman working on that side of the cafe said they didn’t have any kittens at the moment, but they do have some on occasion. Several cats ere enjoying afternoon naps, but there were a few that wanted to play.
While the kids played and petted the cats, I was actually able to meet the owner and chat a little bit. She shared that they have been around for 5 years already and have gotten over 200 cats adopted! They work with Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary and all the cats they have at the cafe are adoptable. According to their page, Lena was adopted the day after we visited and Clyde was adopted the day after that! What a great program!
Cat lover or not, I’d encourage you to go check out this shop. Check out their page for lots of upcoming special events that they participate in and host. This coming Wednesday, they will be at Whisk & Arrow for their weekly markets, this one being Pet themed. This coming Thursday, they are hosted their own “Fiber with Felines” event. You can bring your own yarn project to work on while enjoying the company of others and the cats, as well as discounted coffee and bakery. There will also be giveaways to our local yarn shop, Fibre.

01/07/2024

The July issue of Appleton Monthly is out. The main issue theme is “The Great Outdoors” so I focused on that. By no means is this an exhaustive list of “camping” coffee options, just a few different ideas that are out there.

10/05/2024

Head to Appleton tomorrow (Saturday) or until 8pm tonight and check out some great coffee options at the Mission Possible Veterans event happening at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center.

These are coffee companies all with their own personal stories about service, life, and coffee. Stop by and check them all out.

Golden Poppy Coffee, Il Bar Coffeehouse featuring Operation Coffee, and New Dawn Coffee Company LLC.

Https://facebook.com/events/s/mission-possible-veteran-famil/718282527054319/

01/05/2024

The newest issue of Appleton Monthly is out now. This month’s column features local coffee shops that feature Drive Through Windows: Seth's Coffee, Whisk & Arrow, Wildfire Coffeehouse, JoToGo, and the brand new Allchillakill by Frio Mexican Treats. So, next time you don’t want to get out of your car, but still want that coffee treat, skip the line at the chains and try something local.

25/04/2024

I’m not a big Meme guy, but despite that, I felt compelled to make this one. I always advocate for taking a few moments to savor your coffee. Whether that be while brewing your coffee, smelling it, sipping it, whatever. Just try to take a moment or two and appreciate it and give yourself a little break.

12/04/2024

Footnote to my March column all about Decaf coffee.
After this was published, the 2024 US Brewers Cup was won by a barista using a Decaffeinated coffee. It was a ethyl acetate (EA) processed coffee from Columbia. These types of competitions are typically won using very high end, super premium coffees that we could never get our hands on. So, the fact that you can go out to Coffee Wizardz, Lawlss Coffee, or Bedrock Coffee Roasters (as mentioned in the column) and get this same basic process and origin Decaf is pretty exciting.

The March issue of Appleton Monthly is out now. I had a request for a column on Decaf awhile back. Coffee can already be a complicated subject and when you add in the decaffeination process (or processes) it can get even more complex. This column just touches the surface a bit and tries to keep things simple. Hope you enjoy.

20/03/2024

The new Urban Market Neenah is now open. I stopped in on their first day and took some pictures of the coffee, tea, and coffee related options. I will write more about this location once the actual cafe portion opens up, but for now I wanted to let you know about the coffee options on the grocery side.
Two main things I want to note.
1. They serve Bedrock Coffee Roasters and feature a custom blend that they helped to create.
2. They also serve Crema Coffee out of Nashville, which has not previously been available anywhere in our area.

01/03/2024

The March issue of Appleton Monthly is out now. I had a request for a column on Decaf awhile back. Coffee can already be a complicated subject and when you add in the decaffeination process (or processes) it can get even more complex. This column just touches the surface a bit and tries to keep things simple. Hope you enjoy.

03/02/2024

This post isn’t really about anything important, just some silly fun.
In case you don’t know or haven’t experienced different flavors in you coffee as it cools. You can taste different flavors in your coffee as it cools. When it’s piping hot, you actually don’t taste much, but as it cools certain flavors and nuances are more prevalent or easier to taste.
Well, lately, I’ve been taking things in the opposite direction. I wouldn’t say that the flavors change all that much, but there is something to be said for the feeling of contrasting temperatures. In addition to taking a bottle of water with me into the Sauna, I will occasionally bring my hot coffee with me (usually while listening to a coffee podcast). The differences in temperature between the sauna, the coffee, and the water makes for a fun experience.

20/01/2024

New Roaster alert.
Like and Share their post for a chance to try some.

Like & share this post for a shot at winning a free bag of coffee of your choice! ✨ Sunday, Jan 21st, is the day we unveil the coffee winner! Don't miss your sip of luck!

12/01/2024

This is two different brews of the same coffee and same brewing method, Chemex. Can you see the difference?
The top one looks a bit like dried up mud, the second one looks more like spent coffee grounds. The reason why is grind size. The top “mud” one was ground too fine for this brew method and was therefore, over extracted, and more bitter than it should be. It was still drinkable, but not as good as it could have been. So, if you’re grinding your own coffee (and you should be) take a look at your filter after brewing. If it looks like mud, grind more coarse.
To be honest, the bottom filter was also too fine for my tastes, but much better than the “mud” one.

09/01/2024

We are well into January now so I would assume that gift giving and most holiday gatherings have finished. Did anyone get any coffee related gifts?
Here is a collection of my Holiday acquisitions.
Some great coffee from Airship Coffee, a reusable brew basket filter from Able Brewing Equipment, my first Mokapot by Miir, a gift card to a local shop (Bedrock Coffee Roasters) that also carries lots of equipment, filters, etc, and new Burrs for my Fellow Ode grinder.

06/01/2024

Trying out one of my new toys today. Weekends are great for experimenting and trying new brew methods or techniques.
The Mokapot is by no means new, but I have never actually had one before. The Mokapot, sometimes called stovetop espresso makers, are a staple in many parts of the world, but aren’t quite as popular here in the U.S. They make a strong and rich espresso like beverage that can be used like an actual shot of espresso.
For this, my first time using, I tried it straight, as an Americano, and as a latte.

24/12/2023

If was fun brewing through the advent calendar from 19grams and now I’ll start to mix and blend the remaining beans from each day for a little additional fun. If you’re curious I have a highlight on my Instagram showing each daily coffee.

08/12/2023

Day 8 of my Advent Calendar.
I saw this photo in my memories from last year so I thought I’d do it again. Last year Day 8 was a coffee from The Congo.
This year it is:
Saint Nicolaus Colacho, Santa Barbara, Honduras with notes of Caramel, Milk Chocolate, and Citrus

04/12/2023

December/January issue of Appleton Monthly is out now.
Is this issue I wrote a bit about some of the many local coffee shops we have in our area and the importance of supporting them. The hope is that this year you’ll skip the chain shop gifts cards and give out some local gifts, it’s like giving three gifts in one!

02/12/2023

My upcoming column in Appleton Monthly mentions lots of local coffee shops and the importance of supporting them this holiday season and all year round. This local coffee roaster wasn’t even selling coffee yet at the time that I wrote it. That’s how new they are and it’s especially important to support new businesses.
At this point Golden Poppy Coffee only has two offerings, one is a Medium (Sonder) and one is a Dark (Apricity). I have really enjoyed the Medium roast more than I thought I would (since I primarily drink light roasts) and the Dark roast is good if that’s your thing. I like the meanings of the names as well. Looking forward to their upcoming roasts.
Check them out.

Wanted to try our but didn’t want to buy it in case you might not like it?

Well now is your chance to get a bag of your choice for free!

All you have to do is like and share this post and we will select a random winner this Sunday, December 3rd!

28/11/2023

I had a request awhile back for coffee subscription recommendations. I am sharing a post I wrote two years ago about them, because there really hasn’t been much change.
There two main kinds:
1. Roaster or Company specific ones. Coffee Wizardz is a great by local company that offers a few options. Ruby Coffee Roasters is anotheer great WI Roasters that has some good options. ONYX Coffee Lab is one of the premier roasters in the country and they offer a few plans as well. Pretty much any roaster will have a subscription option, so if you know one they like, I’d go with that.

2. These are subscription companies that partner with other coffee roasters to offer their coffee so you can try different roasters each month. These are companies like Trade, Crema, or Mistobox. These are great for trying a wide variety of roasters around the country. I have had the three listed above and all were enjoyable. There isn’t too much that separates one from the other, just maybe some finer details or the roasters they partner with.

One thing to note, I believe Acorn Coffee Club changed their format a bit. You still get two different coffees each shipment, but one, the daily drinker, is the same each month.
One other note or option not listed below is Cometeer. They offer frozen capsules of specialty coffees around the world. They come shipped frozen in dry ice. You keep them frozen and pour hot water over to melt for a hot cup of coffee. This isn’t for everyone, but it is different and can be kind of fun. I’ve used the melted capsules as a “shot of espresso” before to make a quick latte or espresso tonic.

I will add some referral links below and just general links to make it easier to find the websites and information.

Gift Guide: Coffee Subscription
I don’t know a single coffee lover that doesn’t love getting good coffee, especially when it just shows up in the mail!
There are subscriptions for just about anything now a days and coffee is perfect for this format. If it’s timed out correctly, you’ll get a new coffee right as you are running out of your current one.
Subscriptions can pretty much cover whatever budget you’re comfortable with too.
Most offer prepaid amounts of time like 3 months, 6 months, etc… Some offer reoccurring Month to Month plans you can cancel anytime like the one pictured below, Acorn Coffee Club. There is even one (Crema.co) that lets you give a digital gift card in any amount to help the receiver get started.
There is a lot out there so it can be overwhelming (feel free to reach out with any questions), but you can break it down into two main categories.
1. Single Roaster: this is where you receive coffee from only one roaster. They roast it, they ship it. If the person you’re shopping for has a favorite roaster or city, you could find a roaster from there. There are also a few subscription specific company’s like Acorn and Yes Plz, I have tried and enjoyed both.
2. Multi-roaster: these are specific companies that don’t even roast their own coffeee, but partner with different brands so you get a wide variety. Trade (www.drinktrade.com) and Crema (www.Crema.co) and a couple of good ones.

Every coffee drinker is different. Some like the same coffee every time, some are like me and always want something different. One thing I like about Acorn is that each month you get two coffees: a 10oz bag of the “daily drinker” and a 2oz bag of “magic beans” that are different and a bit more unique. I know Ruby also offers a Roasters Choice subscription where you get two 8oz bags of different coffees.
Red Rooster Coffee Roaster even offers a cool subscription (the fix) that if you pay for a 1 or 2 year subscription up front they give you some AMAZING gear for free. Obviously that is a high initial cost, but talk about a gift that keeps on giving.
I will provide some links in the comments which will include any referrals I might have. If you use those, we would both get some discounts.

14/11/2023

It’s getting a little late for Advent calendar ordering, but you can probably still make it in time. And so what if you miss a few days, and get to catch up with multiple cups a day. ☕️ ☕️ ☕️ Here are several options for you to look at. Some are still in preorder and others have been on sale for a bit already. I have the first one listed and you can follow along in my Installment stories when I start drinking them on December 1st. The first 7 listed are from roasters I have all tried and like, though for all but the first one, I have not had these Advent boxes. Let me know if there is one you have gotten and liked that I didn’t list.

The one you shave to order the quickest is from Germany. This is the one I got last year and again this year. It’s from 19grams Coffee in Berlin. It comes bearing packaged with 24 individually packaged little aluminum canisters. $88, but will be more with international shipping.
https://19grams.coffee/collections/kaffee-adventskalender

There is a high end offering from one of my favorite roasters, Onyx. I’ve never been able to pull the trigger on this one, but have heard from many that it’s fantastic. $189
https://onyxcoffeelab.com/products/2023-advent-calendar

Another high end one from Red Rooster in Virginia offers a little twist by offering a variety in their calendar. 10 coffees, 4 teas, 6 syrups, and “special surprises.” On sale now for $249
https://www.redroostercoffee.com/products/advent-calendar

Brandywine Coffee in Delaware does a cool 12 Nights of Winter box that sells out every year. They hand print each bag with unique and cute holiday themed artwork. $98
https://www.brandywinecoffeeroasters.com/products/12-nights-of-winter-coffee-and-weird-art-2023-pre-sale

Stone Creek Coffee in Milwaukee is another favorite of mine has a cool looking retro 12 Days of Coffee (Boom) Box. The whole package looks like a big ol boombox and all of the coffees are packaged to look like cassette tapes. There is a limited quantity on this one so if it’s already gone, you can still find some other gift sets to gift.
https://www.stonecreekcoffee.com/product/12-days-of-coffee-gift-box/

JBC out of Madison offers a Winter Wonderland Sampler pack of 8 different coffees for $58
https://jbccoffeeroasters.com/product/winter-wonderland-sampler

Klatch out of Southern California offers two different 12 Days of Advent calendars. One is their classics for $100 and the other is a special Geisha offering for $300 and comes with a pair of glass mugs.
https://www.klatchcoffee.com/12-days-of-coffee

If flavored coffee is your thing, Door County coffee has you covered with their 12 Days of Coffee Christmas at $30
https://doorcountycoffee.com/12-days-of-coffee-christmas-gift-box/

The website Uncommon Goods offers a 12 Mornings box of preground coffee for $80.
https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/12-christmas-mornings-of-coffee-advent-calendar

If pods are your thing:
Keurig themselves have a 24 Cups of Cheer option for you for $25.
Nespresso also has their own too for $50.
Aldi even had a coffee option that was Kcup based I believe, but knowing the Aldi obsessed shoppers (🙋🏻‍♂️), it’s probably already sold out at your local store.

02/11/2023

I mentioned this on several occasions in and on various platforms, but it became official last weekend, the new Coffee Wizardz in Appleton is open for business. Right now they are limited to weekend hours, though that does include Friday (that’s tomorrow!). For the time being, you can check them out this Friday through Sunday 7am-2pm at The Draw at 800 S. Lawe St. Stay tuned to their social media channels for grand opening information and future hours.
The photos attached are from their first day being open last weekend so I’m sure things will continue to grow or shift around as they figure out the new space. Pictures are also limited because of the great turn out they had and the fact I try to keep unassuming customers out of my photos.
The Draw is a communal work space that is home to several small businesses so it can be a little intimidating to walk into something like this for the first time. Coffee Wizardz are on the main floor so when you walk into the building, you’ll be walking into a coffee shop whether they are open and serving drinks or not. The other businesses are located either upstairs or downstairs. No need to be intimidated, it’s rather easy at The Draw unlike some other community work spaces can be.
I ordered a drink called the Perfecto, which is Cryo milk (milk that is frozen or partially frozen to remove some of the water content making a sweeter, creamier, and richer tasting milk), Demerara syrup, espresso, and Trinity Bitters. This drink is aptly named because it was perfect. The thing with drinks like this at specialty coffee shops is that even if they sound like a sweet drink like you’d find at the chain shops, they rarely are. Specialty shops like Coffee Wizardz almost always produce coffee forward drinks that are only accented with other flavors. If you want to taste the difference, come stop by this weekend and order a small Pumpkin latte and compare that to one of the chain shops Pumpkin lattes.
Coffee Wizardz are consistently changing up their menu with the seasons so there is almost always something new to try. They even have a lovely Fall version of my favorite Espresso Tonic. This one is made with Tamarind syrup, cinnamon, and get this, edible glitter! I’m not a big fan of glitter in general, but in this case I can make an exception.
Go check out the new space this weekend and stay tuned for future hours. Happy Wizarding! 🧙 🧙‍♀️ 🧙‍♂️

25/10/2023

Here’s another somewhat, maybe, kind of, coffee shop. Well, it’s definitely a juice shop, but they do have a few coffee drinks. Bona Fide Juicery opened its new Neenah location and I had a chance to stop In last week. I obviously took a few pictures, but ironically, did not take a picture of my drink. I went in planning on getting a nice healthy juice since I had recently been feeling a little run down, but instead, I ended up with a coffee drink.
I had the seasonal Pumpkin Cold Brew made with Oat Milk and a house made pumpkin sauce. Despite being made with a grocery store brand coffee, it was still quite delicious. I did email them about the coffee choice and to their create, they responded almost immediately and explained the choice quite well. In the past, they have used more local, higher quality beans, but logistics became an issue with them having several local, but not in the same town, locations. One of their priorities is that the coffee is organic and their current bean meets that requirement. They did mention that they would look into and reassess their coffee needs. I was impressed with their email response. To be honest, with a cold brew application, I think the bean and roast quality is a bit less important anyway. I would definitely order and drink one of their cold brew drinks again.
Like I said, I wanted to get a juice, but couldn’t resist the allure of coffee. I did, however, get to sample a few of their juices at their little self serve sample station. This is such a great thing to offer for their customers and I was very happy to see it. Next time I stop, I’m definitely getting a juice and some avocado toast!

And maybe a coffee too

10/10/2023

New Coffee Shop alert.
Cafe Aquila opened its doors recently and is set to have an official Grand Opening sometime this month.
The shop is situated right on the Fox River in the same space that was River Tyme Bistro, in the same building as the Atlas Science Center (formerly the Paper Discovery Center). As you can see from the pictures, the morning light was pouring in from the river side of the building. I wish I could have stayed all morning to see the light and shadows change as the day progressed.
They serve Rusty Dog Coffee out of Madison and to my knowledge, they are the only ones in the area that do so. As of my visit, they aren’t doing pour overs so you only have their batch brews to choose from. In my case, the choices were a dark roast and a dark roast decaf. As a light roast drinker, I was a disappointed, but I do like Rusty Dog and neither coffee offered was all that dark so I was still able to enjoy. One of the baristas did say “yet” when I inquired about pour overs, so hopefully as they grow and find their footing, that will be an option in the future.
I enjoyed my coffee and the space. They have a variety of pastries and lunches to offer as well. I got the impression that they are growing the menu as they learn what their customer base wants. The staff was friendly and willing to answer my questions as best they could. Keep an eye for their grand opening date and stop in soon to check them out.