Sunday, January 28, 2007

The Original Bean Wear Coffee Shirt Idea

My first t-shirt I printed was rather quite simple. It was the name of my company, “Bean Wear.” The back of the shirt said, “Long Live the Bean!” I had short and long sleeve shirts in print. I then moved into my current design, “drink it black.” What I have found is that there are a lot of people that do not drink their coffee black but love the bean wear idea. I have also gotten a number of people who said they liked the original bean wear coffee shirts. Please let me know what you all think of my original design. I may be printing more the next time around. Thanks so much for your support!

Saturday, January 27, 2007

Ruby’s Dining in San Diego: Coffee Experience

Last Friday evening, my wife and I (and another couple from our church) went to our first dance class! I have never really danced but promised my wife, Joli, that I definitely try. We learned the beginning steps to the Waltz and Swing. I definitely enjoyed the swing dance! After the class, it was up to me to figure out where to go to chat and have some desert. The only real place that came to mind was Ruby’s Diner in Mission Valley (near Downtown San Diego). We enjoyed some great shakes, and I was (as usual) the only one who ordered coffee. I knew that they probably did not have coffee, but I figured I needed to try it so I can write a review. They advertised Dietrich Coffee. Dietrich Coffee is a relatively known coffee roaster that sells to certain restaurants and coffee shops. Good coffee drinkers would probably say it is a middle of the road coffee. I have had a few good cups of Dietrich’s over the years, so I decided to give Ruby’s Coffee a Try!

If only Ruby’s would add a little more coffee to the water, it would not have tasted so bad. Restaurants just do not get it! The coffee flavor was definitely better than Denny’s or Trophies in San Diego, but...they need to be free with the measuring cup: just dump the coffee in...and don’t stop!

I would love to hear your coffee stories: good, bad and ugly! Please comment or email the stories to me. Happy Saturday!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

How Coffee Shirts Can Drop in Price

I have gotten a lot of compliments on my “drink it black” shirts in recent weeks. However, I am not selling a lot of them! I have sold more to friends on the east coast most likely than right here in my town! Any how, I just lowered the cost of my coffee shirts just to get people more excited to try the shirts out. They are fun to wear, because people will ask more about the shirt. They are total different. By the way, Starbucks is coming out with their own “designer” coffee shirts next month...so lets make a move and wear the bean first! Please support this site and buy a t-shirt!

If you don’t like coffee and will not wear my shirts, please refer this site to a friend!  “>

Saturday, January 13, 2007

Random Saturday Thoughts on Coffee

If you know anyone who would like a t-shirt or would try my coffee, please forward my site to them!

If you noticed my t-shirt page, the latest order of shirts just arrived. I have my 3rd edition of “Drink it Black.” My shirts were designed for those who really love coffee! I am hoping that people who do not drink their coffee black will also wear my shirts. I just received feedback from a friend of mine who liked my original order the best: “Long Live the Bean.” I might be printing more of those in the near future. My first shirt had the Bean Wear logo in the front and long live the bean in the back. If anyone else likes that style, let me know!

I have to say that my coffee is excellent. However, I did get to try another brand while on my Christmas vacation in Maryland. The name of the company is: Quarter Maine. If you are in the D.C. area, look up Quarter Maine. They roast their coffee fresh, and it is exceptional!

Lastly, I want to begin marketing my shirts to coffee shops. If you have a coffee shop that is interested in purchasing my shirts at a discounted rate, please email me. 

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

Cafe & Family Restaurant in Frederick County, Maryland

I do not typically write a blog about restaurants I like unless they have excellent coffee. Last week, my little family was visiting our east coast family (wife’s side) in Frederick County, Maryland. We had a great little breakfast with my in laws at a place called, “Trout’s Towne Restaurant.” It was filled with pictures, flags, plaques, and quotes from our Military! If you are pro-military, love a good southern breakfast, can wear a flannel shirt and a pair of carharts jeans, you need to visit Trout’s! It is worth the drive if you are in the general Baltimore or D.C. area! It is in the “country” yet very close to the city!

However!!!! I must say, we need to reform the way most restaurants make coffee. The service at Trout’s was good. The food on my plate was quality, but coffee...hmmm...it needs some major work! Isn’t it funny that a decent cup of coffee at a coffee shop cost about $1.50+ and a bad cup of coffee at a restaurant will cost almost $3.00? Another example of good food and bad coffee from a well known place in my town (San Diego) is a place called Trophy’s! I had dessert there recently and ordered coffee for $2.95! It was one of the worst coffees I had ever had! So, I would recommend Trout’s and Trophys...but stick with Water!

If my coffee friends know how we can begin to encourage family restaurants like Denny’s, Trouts, Waffle House, etc. to make a good cup of coffee, please send me your ideas! One final note, I have noticed that I am getting BLOG visitors that are not buying a t-shirt! Please help keep this site up and wear your bean shirt! 

Trout’s Towne Restaurant
200 N. 2ed St.
Woodsboro, MD 21798
301-898-5686

Monday, January 01, 2007

Coffee Shop in San Diego: Point Loma

Senior Bean: A dear friend of our family, Jennifer Brown, recently introduced me to a local coffee shop in San Diego called, “Reds.” She bought me a pound of one of their darkest roast for Christmas to try. It is definitely fresh, dark, and tasty! This coffee shop is also roast their own beans. I am curious to try the whole experience after hearing what Jen had to say about her time at Reds.

Jen Brown: “Every aspiring coffee conoisseur delights in the discovery of a coffee house that proves exceptional taste and warm ambiance can co-exist. Red’s Espresso Gallery, nestled on Rosecrans in Point Loma, is such a place. The owner, Cyndee Grace Savoy, is meticulous about her commitment to quality as she notes each coffee’s distinct flavor & bounquet and personally chooses the roast that will be most complementary. Upon entering, I found myself immediately taking in an array of sensory pleasures: walls swathed in a deep cherry hue, innovative creations of local artists on display, the soft melody of live music, and the aromatic decadence of brewed coffee.  After wrestling over the myriad of menu choices, I finally settled on a cappucino, which is just frou-frou enough to satisfy my indulgent side and strong enough to inspire me to break out in a rendition of “The-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-music.” Experiencing Red’s makes you curious as to what other hidden treasures are tucked away as local secrets in Point Loma. I’ll take it upon myself to keep you posted of any other unforgettable finds.”