Bald Guy Brew Coffee Roasting Co — Restaurant in North Carolina

Good morning!

May I just start with the fact that I have had 3 mornings, 2 weeks in a row now, that I've been able to have time to myself and my dog and get the chance to enjoy the crispness of fall wandering into my home, while having a cup (or more lets be honest) of your delicious coffee. My friend Ryan is a regular to your establishment and has said nothing but great things about how amazing your coffee is, and how nice the people are. Although Ryan and I don't have the same particular tastes when it comes to what we want out of our beverage, he's probably the only one that understands my obsession with it, and that I am the sterotypical monster if I don't have at least one cup a day. So once he started showing off his new favorite spot, I asked him to send me some. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! I received 3 different packages- Berry Balanced (Ethiopia), Baker's Chocolate (Costa Rica), and Rustic Sweetness (Guatemala). And the roaster was kind enough to turn the Rustic Sweetness a little darker for me as I am one who enjoys the darkest roasts possible. I waited this long to write a review one because I like to play with my coffee, and two because work sometimes got in the middle of it all and I tend to forget some things. But this is the picture perfect moment to enjoy some joe and hype up a business.

Berry Balanced: 4.75 I'm not a fruity coffee person, but this was surprisingly nice. It was a solid choice for use as a cold brew and in use as iced coffee with a splash of almond or oatmilk. Worked well with protein smoothies that I would add fruit to that gave the "balance" of a caffeine kick and fruit medley. However this is not my go-to for hot preparation.

Baker's Chocolate: 5 I love this more than I thought I would. I enjoyed each preparation of it as hot, iced, and cold brew. I rarely found I wanted to add something to it, except for the day I discovered we had a caramel and also french vanilla syrup at work. I don't like a whole lot of sugar in my coffees unless its like you get into Starbucks and everything gets weighed down by sugar. Even there I am messing with their intended recipes because the coffee ends up getting lost. This is the most versatile to me. I've used it in my protein smoothies full of chocolate and peanutbutter flavors, but I'm saving some grounds specifically for a steak rub.

Rustic Sweetness: 5 Hands down best of the 3. It has also proved versatility in how I use and drink my coffee, but it has been the one I consistently grab when I want to make myself a fresh pot of coffee on my mornings off. It doesn't need anything, although I have tried to see. But why spoil something that is already so perfect? It is the one I have in my cup pictured and as I write this am finishing it and going to grab a second cup.

I can't wait to try more coffee from your team, whether its an order to Charleston, or if I just make a day to come up and see the magic for myself.

Coziest...

Bald Guy Brew Coffee is one of the best coffees I ever had anywhere I have been in the country and I have had coffee from roasters everywhere and I am pretty fussy. In addition to having excellent organic coffee, the coffeeshop also was one of the coolest I have ever seen. The coffeeshop is in what appears to be an old rustic cabin and full of antiques and various types of equipment and machinery I am not too familiar with. In addition to that they do have the coffee roasting machines there and its nice to watch them do the roasting.

I got to sit on the rocking chair enjoying a beautiful view of colorful mountains while sipping on some of the best coffee ever. It was definitely the best coffeeshop experience I have ever had. I had a couple different coffees here, including a Colombia and a Naturally Processed Yirgacheffe which was the best naturally processed coffee I can remember having. It had a smooth, yet rich, earthy and mildly fruity balance. Many naturals I have end up tasting too tart or fruit-heavy (like sweet wine). This natural processing in this coffee really brought out the complex flavors, which I feel a good natural processed coffee should do.

I got to meet the roaster Don who is a great guy and even gave me a little sample to take home back to Charlotte. It's too bad they don't have a coffeeshop like this is Charlotte, but anytime in Boone this probably would be the only coffeeshop I would go to and...

Don knows his coffee. He is as passionate an individual as I've ever seen when it comes to the entire process: from his knowledge of crops around the world to different methods of roasting. That passion is contagious. If you are ordering online, I highly recommend the Congolese. One of the best cups of coffee I've ever had in my life (and I'm picky). In addition, I had the privilege of taking a two-hour class at his store in which I learned so much about the farmers and crop, harvest and transport, quality and roasting. We were also allowed to roast and keep our own beans, being taught how to work on two different machines (and observing him work on a third). He works with you to make sure you are comfortable with the machinery, always encouraging along the way. If you are in the Boone area, I would encourage you to take this class when it's offered (details can be found on his website). I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to try something new. It's made me appreciate the process and the people behind coffee...