Coffeeneuring 2017

Once again I combine two of my favorite activities, bicycling and drinking coffee, into one for the opportunity to earn the esteemed Coffeeneuring patch.  And why not?

1.
Des Moines Brew Coffee Co
October 13, 2017 FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!
Large Americano with room for half and half
4 mile round trip as we went to the store afterwards

We had been planning to go here for quite some time but never had the opportunity.  It is located in a renovated building that now houses several restaurants, a fitness place and a bar.  DSM Brew is also located on a MLK bicycle trail.  Just a mile from our home it is a safe and easy ride.  Just crossing 3rd St is the only bump but there is a button to trigger the stop light.  It was the Friday before our daughter's wedding and I had the day off.  Mary and rode to the taco place next door, Fuzzy Tacos, and had lunch.  After lunch we moved our bikes over for the photo shoot.  I had my standard, large Americano with room for half and half.  Mary had a cup of tea.  They used a tea kettle to heat the water for her tea and this took some time.  Basic "dry look" (unfinished ceiling) with art on the walls.  Friendly staff.  I don't recall much more about this place because our minds were focused on our daughter's wedding.  We plan to return.

2.
Scenic Route Bakery
October 21, 2017
Small Americano
4.5 mile round trip

Dora's cappuccino.  Also a  better photo of the "bike rack."

Original plan was to get here early, 6 am, because the weather folks promised that it would be raining.  We overslept and then checked radar and the rain was a long, long way off.  Took our daughter Dora with us and hit the famous Des Moines Downtown Farmer's market on the way home as well as stopping at Graziano Brother's Market (Italian food) on the way home.  First thing we noticed that there was not a bicycle rack in front of the establishment. There was one across the street and another down the block. So we locked up to the iron decorative fencing that protects the planted flowers from would be blind pedestrians.  This is a common practice for those that visit the East Village via bicycle.  Mary was in the mood for breakfast food but we did not see anything but pastries which were good.  We had fruit danishes.  Mary had a hot chocolate, Dora a cappuccino and I a small Americano.  Dora is used to the fake sugar infused hot water style of cappuccinos and thus did not finish hers.

3.
Mars Cafe
October 29, 2017
Large Americano
3 mile round trip

The Red Phoenix.

Always be coffeeneuring!

Chilly Sunday morning but it was starting to warm up.  Spent the day before inside working on bicycles.  The red bike is the Red Phoenix, my winter commuter which has been sitting underneath a tarp since March waiting for the day, usually in November, when I kick off the rust and restore it to functioning order.  This is Red's first spin since March.  A test ride for coffee.  This coffee shop is located in Des Moines East Village.  Mary rode with me and had a hot chocolate.  I found this to have been among the best Americano I have ever had.  $2.75 for any size I wanted.  I chose the the large and added about an inch and a half of half and half to cut the bitterness and cool it down.

4.
St Kilda Cafe & Bakery
November 4, 2017
Americano
4 miles round trip

St Kilda is a new place located on one of our major travel paths just across the river on our way downtown.  Always wanted to stop there but they always seemed busy especially with the Downtown Farmer's Market going on.  Well, the Farmer's Market ended for the year and we got our downtown back.  Special ride for us today.  Last week a stick went through the drive train of my Campy bike and destroying a wonderful original Campagnola derailleur.  The bike never missed a beat but riding it with a saggy chain is not the best thing to do.  So as a fond farewell to the noble gear switcher of the past 23 years I though Coffeeneuring would be apprope.  The place as a bit busy but we were greeted immediately by the hostess and once we told them that we were here for coffee we were able to grab a window seat.  As usual, I had an Americano and Mary had a hot chocolate.  For once our bevies were not in disposable cups.  Mary's received the arty foam touch.  My request for cream was granted in a tiny cream pitcher.  Nice!  I wish we would have had more time to study the menu.  service was fast!  When it came time to pay we were stuck behind a family of slow ordering people but the owner saw our dilemma and tendered our payment on a different register.  Thank you!  we shall return.

5.
Theme Within A Theme (The Accidental Coffeeneurer)
November 8, 2017
Large Medium Roast from Java Joe's
15 miles

Coffee sitting on the Salsa Anything cage.  Thank you DMPD.

So I stopped at the store to pick up dinner.  While loading the bike at the rack next to a gentleman with a fatbike and putting gloves, headband, lights back on a police officer walks up and asks if I'd like a coffee.  "You bikers must be cold.  They gave me two coffees and I can't drink both.."  I responded immediately, yes, I'd like a coffee.  I was not cold but it is hard to explain to muggles that 47F is not cold for a year round cyclist.  She gave me a large coffee and I thanked her.  PIPING HOT and black.  So I went back inside and purchased a small container of half and half, the one with the screw top, to cool the coffee and mellow out the bitterness.  She said it was from Java Joes's, a local coffee shop across the street.  I drank it while finishing my journey home.

6.
Inspired Grounds Cafe
November 11, 2017
Americano 
16 miles

I should have removed the lid.  The back of my bicycle can be seen with a large bag of dog food on back.

If it would have been warmer we would have enjoyed our coffee outside.  It was a cloudy day with the temps in the 40s and the possibility of rain constant.

Mary inside in yellow.

Somewhere to coffeeneur where we had not coffeeneured before.  This time in Historic Valley Junction.  I like this place and will most likely be back.  Not only do they sell java but books and art as well.  Good place to do some Christmas shopping.  My coffee was good but much better when half gone.  They had real half and half here which is a plus.

7.
Madhouse Brewery
November 18, 2017
Sumatra Coffee Stout
2 mile Round Trip

Thought I'd finish this with an Americano, didn't you??  Nope!  We tooke the streets and rode bike lanes mpart of the way.  not much traffic.  This coffee stout is one of the finest local stouts in my city.  Sadly, they are no longer producing it so they can make room for new beers.  No longer available on tap either which explains why I purchased the bottle.  When I heard the news that this brew was to be no more I knew I had to get it from the source.  Brewed with cold brewed Sumatra grounds from Zannibar Coffee. From Madhouse's website, "We then partnered with Des Moines based Zanzibar’s Coffee Adventure for house roasted Sumatra coffee beans. The coffee is cold pressed and added just prior to carbonation of add depth and flavor to the beer."  Delish!

Also in contention for coffee beer was Reclaimed Rails' UnRailed Porter which is a normal looking beer with coffee flavor.  Mind bending since it looks like beer but tastes like coffee.