Coffee Tour with Sean & Ally

Coffee Tour Season 1 has come to a close. Sean & Ally look back on Season 1 and discuss what they liked most, what they could improve, and what they foresee in a Season 2. They go over the feedback they've received throughout the process of creating Season 1 and speak on the improvements they've been working towards. Sean & Ally are excited for whatever Season 2 will bring, and encourage you to stay up to date with their projects and release timeline on Instagram @coffeetourpodcast ! Thank you for your support throughout Season 1 and we'll talk to you again soon!

Sean & Ally read and react to coffee stories from the subreddit ‘Am I the Asshole’ a second time! They will see if their opinions as customer and barista match, and then compare those thoughts to the judges on Reddit. The coffee recommendation of the week is a peppermint hot chocolate! Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally taste coffee liqueur for the first time! Sean officially turns from Barista to Bartender this week. The liqueur they try is from Of The Earth Farm & Distillery in Richmond, MO. They discuss their opinions on the taste, as well as their thoughts on the world of coffee cocktails. They are excited to visit a shop that specializes in coffee cocktails to learn more. The coffee tour recommendation of the week is to try a coffee cocktail!  Of The Earth Website: https://oftheearthfarm.com/ Of The Earth Instagram: @of_the_earth_farm_distillery Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Olivia go on vacation! This week Ally steps away and Olivia joins in. Sean & Olivia discuss the coffee they tried this week at High Tide and talk about going out of your comfort zone on vacation. The coffee goer recommendation for the week is to get out of your comfort zone on vacation (and drink your coffee on a beach if you can)! High Tide Instagram: @hightidefenwick High Tide Website: https://hightide.coffee Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally visit Teleo Coffee in Kirkwood, MO. They discuss the experience, from the drinks they ordered to the beautiful aesthetic and branding of the shop. The coffee recommendation of the week is to visit a shop with a group of friends!   Teleo Website: https://www.teleocoffee.com/ Teleo Instagram: @teleocoffee  Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally discuss how Starbucks has changed over the years from a third wave shop to a fast food business. They read a Reddit post from a Starbucks employee, entitled "Starbucks has Turned into McDonalds", where the employee states that they are disappointed in the changes Starbucks has made over the years. Sean & Ally consider the similarities between Starbucks and McDonalds, vs the similarities between Starbucks and local third wave shops. The coffee recommendation of the week is McDonalds coffee! Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/starbucks/comments/v15w7y/third_place_no_longer_in_competing_with_mccafe/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

Sean & Ally discuss Fair Trade and what that label means in the coffee industry. Words like ‘fair trade’ and ‘ethical’ seem to be tossed around in shops, and although those are known to be good things, many people don’t understand how they pertain to coffee. Sean & Ally seek to educate in simple terms on the world of Fair Trade coffee. The coffee recommendation of the week is to buy beans from a local shop that the baristas are excited about!

Sean & Ally visit Maypop Coffee and Garden Shop in Webster Groves, MO. They discuss the garden aesthetic, the unique taste, and deep dive into the concept of themed coffee shops. The coffee recommendation of the week is a uniquely prepared mocha! If you have an STL shop you’d like Sean & Ally to visit next, reach out on Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast  Maypop Website: www.maypopshop.com  Maypop Instagram: @maypop_shop

Sean & Ally discuss all things caffeine. They talk about what makes decaf taste different, the process to edit caffeine levels, and they reveal a brand new coffee that Sean helped create! Check out La Finca’s Siesta Blend coffee, which is: 40% Decaf, 40% Guatemala, and 20% Costa Rica.  Siesta Blend at La Finca: https://www.coffeelafinca.com/specialty-coffee/zx61cf08x546yxenqe9zhe4yexmcdd Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally visit MAUHAUS Cafe in Maplewood, MO. After visiting their very first cat cafe, they discuss this specialty shop, their experience visiting, and the drinks they ordered, which includes their very first tea review! It's important to point out the partnership MAUHAUS has with Stray Haven Rescue, as all the cats in the cafe are up for adoption. The coffee recommendation of the week is a Vietnamese coffee! MAUHAUS Website: https://mauhauscafe.com/ MAUHAUS Instagram: @mauhauscafe Stray Haven Rescue Website: http://strayhavenrescue.org/adopt-a-cat/ Stray Haven Rescue Instagram: @strayhavenrescue Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally visit Coma Coffee Roasters in Richmond Heights, MO. They discuss the experience, from the coffee they tasted to the aesthetic of the shop. The coffee recommendation of the week is to try a flight of coffees!  If you have an STL shop you'd like Sean & Ally to visit next, reach out on Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast Coma Coffee Website: www.comacoffee.com Coma Coffee Instagram: @comacoffee

Have you ever wondered which generation has the most influence on the coffee industry? Do Millennials drink more coffee than Boomers, or do they just frequent coffee shops more? Is Gen Z trending towards coffee, or fighting back against caffeine?  Sean & Ally discuss the differences in how each generation enjoys coffee. They give their personal inferences, review statistics, and speculate as to what this means for the future of the coffee industry. The coffee recommendation of the week is to enjoy a coffee from a drip coffee maker.   Episode References:  https://www.bevindustry.com/articles/86796-nca-tracks-coffee-consumption-by-generation  https://today.yougov.com/topics/consumer/articles-reports/2021/10/08/us-gen-z-hasnt-caught-caffeine-habit-and-where-do- Instagram: @CoffeeTourPodcast 

Sean & Ally talk a bit more casually today, discussing how far the podcast has come and where they would like to see it go. Please join in on the discussion, by reaching out to the Coffee Tour on Instagram or Facebook. Let Sean & Ally know what your favorite episodes are, what you would hope to see in the future, or even things you would like to see them do better. Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally discuss how to perfect a V60 pour over. Referencing James Hoffman’s suggestions, Sean & Ally detail the methods and mathematics Sean uses in the creation of his pour over. They also give advice on how to best tweak your personal recipes to make your pour overs taste better at home!  James Hoffman YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMb0O2CdPBNi-QqPk5T3gsQ James Hoffman Instagram: @jimseven Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally discuss the US Barista Championship! The 2022 USBC was held last weekend, April 8, in Boston. In this episode, Sean & Ally talk about what is involved in a barista competition, as well as why this is so important to the Coffee community. Each competition has a large set of rules, many competitors, and the winners are highly revered in the coffee industry. The winner of the 2022 USBC, Morgan Eckroth, will compete this September at the World Barista Championship in Melbourne.  USBC Website: https://worldbaristachampionship.org WBC Website: https://uscoffeechampionships.org/barista-championship SCA Instagram: @specialtycoffeeassociation Morgan Eckroth Instragram: @morgandrinkscoffee Morgan Eckroth Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MorganDrinksCoffee Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally discuss the finances behind running an online coffee company and review the influencer brand, Bankroll Coffee. Bankroll Coffee is a brand started by Graham Stephan, of which he has been very transparent with his YouTube audience about how much money goes into every step of the coffee process. Graham’s goal was to create quality coffee for those on a budget. His brand revolves around the $0.20 iced coffee, claiming that if you only spend $0.20 per cup of coffee at home instead of buying Starbucks, you could put that money saved towards retirement and become a millionaire!  In this episode we review the coffees: $.20 Coffee, Diamond Hands Coffee, and To the Moon Coffee.  Bankroll Coffee Website: https://www.bankrollcoffee.com   Bankroll Coffee Instagram: @bankrollcoffee  Graham Stephan YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/GrahamStephan   Graham Stephan Instagram: @gpstephan  Referenced YouTube videos: https://youtu.be/2-JOpEBew6g  https://youtu.be/utPoZkm9Jyk  https://youtu.be/aiWWv5Lv-1c  Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally are joined by John Hagedorn, owner and founder of La Finca Coffee Roasters in Eureka, MO. John tells his story, from finding the inspiration behind his shop to the current adventure of opening a second location in The Grove. He gives advice on starting your own shop, being hired as a barista, and simply having the courage to follow your dreams.  The coffee recommendation of the week is a naturally processed Ethiopian coffee in a modern, local coffee shop.  La Finca Website: www.coffeelafinca.com La Finca Facebook: @lafincacoffeeshop La Finca Instragram: @coffeelafinca Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Sean & Ally welcome Olivia, Sean’s wife, to read and react to coffee stories from the subreddit ‘Am I the Asshole’. The coffee recommendation of the week is a Dry Latte!

Sean & Ally visit The Annex in Webster Groves, MO. They discuss the experience, from the coffee they tasted to the aesthetic of the shop. The coffee recommendation of the week is an Irish Cream Coffee in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day! The Annex Instagram: @theannexstl  Coffee Tour Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast

Today Sean & Ally welcome Chloe, a new barista at La Finca! Chloe is the perfect in-between of Ally and Sean, fully being a customer only a few months ago, but now working behind the coffee bar. In this episode, they discuss what it’s like to get into the coffee industry and grow your skills. The coffee recommendation of the week is French Vanilla Breve! Instagram: @coffeetourpodcast  Editor’s Note: We apologize for any audio abnormalities within this episode. We are working hard to make sure the audio quality issues are corrected for all future episodes.