Hey guys....I am getting more into coffee since working full time. I enjoyed DD throughout college and never wanted to try Starbucks but a coworker (in fact another BOTL here Jim: KenyanSandBoa) had me try it and I have never gone back to DD. With that said, what brands of coffee are equally strong/flavorful as Starbucks? Sure, I could buy some of their bags, but I wouldn't mind trying some other styles and brands.
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My suggestion would be to find a local roaster or an online retailer of freshly roasted coffee such as UncleBeanz.
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I use www.BeachTownRoasters.com One of our BOTL's from California owns the place. I would also recommend www.UncleBeanz.com as well as www.KillerBeans.com

That should start you off on the right foot and get you away from that Starbucks stuff :-)
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First Get a french Press (video on how to use) and a grinder. Then buy some whole bean grind it, brew it, try it w/o any sugar or cream. After that if you really want to go all out roast some green beans :-)
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I would also highly recommend UncleBeanz:-)
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I concur with those who say to find a local roaster, or a well respcted online vendor who knows their stuff. Unclebeanz on the east coast, maybe Intelligentsia in the Midwest and stumptown or sweetmarias on the left coast.

Stay away from charbucks or any other roaster that burns the beans. I understand some people like starbucks, and to those people I
say drink what you like, like what you drink. But their coffee is neither "strong" nor "flavorful", unless you consider "burnt" to be a flavor, :-)
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I have heard many a good thing about Unclebeanz but have never ordered from there I have ordered from sweetmarias.com and they have some great stuff and service is great too.
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thanks for the tips everyone. I will check out these sites. :-)
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Having worked at Starbuxx, lemme tell you, it only gets better from there. Ken is dead on about the french press, as well as grinding your own beans. The less time between grind and brew, the more flavor your coffee will have. I recommend getting a burr grinder, rather than a blade grinder(you will get more even grounds that way, thus better and more consistant coffee). We have a very good local roaster here in CA, called Kean, and I love their coffee. Intelligentsia is another great roaster, located in Chicago and LA. And if you can get your hands on anything from Peets, I highly recommend that as well.
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Although Starbucks definitely has better coffee than most like DD and convenience stores, i find they are inconsistent and over heated, hence the nickname "Charbucks"
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Agreed, hence the "it only gets better from there." The only ones that I like from starbucks are the limited batch ones, and even then, I would much rather have something that got a medium roast, rather than coffee-charcoal.
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Sweet! You guys know of any local brewers in Boston? Until I can get my hands on the good stuff I was wondering if there was a local spot that is better. You guys rock!

:-)
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In Boston? According to Yelp!, Red Barn Coffee Co is supposed to be fantastic, and crema cafe in harvard square is supposed to be pretty amazing as well. Just PM me.
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Red barn is great another great one is Flat Black

http://flatblackcoffeecompany.com/
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This isn't too far from me I might give this a try today. :-)

Once it gets warmer I will try Red Barn too.
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Thank you for the recs, fellas. A good suggestion is to get to know your local roaster. Build from there. Good luck! UB
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I have not been dissapointed these roasts:

http://www.cafebritt.com/home

peace!
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I've definitely noticed that about some of the Starbucks coffees. I think it was the Gold Coast that I tried and all I could taste was "burnt"...didn't like it at all. I've had luck with their Asia/Pacific blends like Komodo Dragon the Anniversary Blend, but I do avoid some of their extra bold coffees because they taste more extra burnt to me.

+1 for the french press and burr grinder.

One more recommendation, don't waste your time with a built in burr grinder/brewer like Cuisinart makes becuase let me tell you...it is a pain in the ass to clean and fill if it's under a cabinet.
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uhh...thanks for the tip. You could have just walked to my desk and told me. :-)



:-)
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That would involve me getting out of my chair...:-)
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