Alterra or Stone Creek

[06_wi_vfr]

Since we're all such coffee conno...coneau...conneo...experts let me ask your opinion.  I'm the Food Service Director at one of the local health care establishments and we're going to make some major improvements in the retail operations.  So, given the option would you choose Alterra or Stone Creek, (or something else)?

I'd set this up as a survey, but just figured out how to do ride reports a couple of months ago!

[Cheddarhead]

Of the two, Alterra gets my vote.  Interesting that we have those "single cup" machines here in the MA plant...and the coffees / teas offered are all the Alterra brands.  A taste of home...

Doubt that these machines will last long, with the new ownership.  Gotta enjoy them while we can.

[bomber]

no pref on the brands, but I will say that those single cup machines kick out a great deal of landfill . . . . . .

just sayin . . . . .

[Cheddarhead]

I will say that those single cup machines kick out a great deal of landfill . . . . . .

Concur 100%.  Seems very wasteful...and expensive.  Not completely sure, but it seeems to me that I recently saw a coffeemaker advertised that offered a "single cup" functionality (similar to an expresso maker) with a reusable filter /strainer...instead of using the k-cups or other such single shot packets.  This I thought would be a good idea....

[ManWorkingHere]

choose Alterra or Stone Creek, (or something else)?

Cold Stone Creamery gets my vote every time!  I hope that's what my health food store would put in...


Just saying.

[bluemax]

For what's worth, I've owned mulitple coffee shops for the last 20 years, and the espresso drinks are a giant failure in a corporate/business/office kitchen. Quality depends on the coffee, timing, who is doing the brewing. Who is going to clean the brewers? Clean equipment is imperative to good tasting coffee. Most coffee drinkers want their coffee thin enough to read a newsaper through it. The employee who wants it rich will double up on the grounds and then only he/she will drink, etc, etc.

These are all issues with office coffee. Many of my customers would rather pay than drink the free stuff they serve in their respectivve offices.

Your major concern should be service, who is going to be there when the brewers leak, or a fitting leaks, who is going to bring you filters and coffee when someone forgets to place the order or mis-orders?

I've been with Alterra since before they poured their first cup, they're good guys and they're local. They roast a nice bean, they have a great variety of coffees. That doesn't matter though, you like all office coffee providers will eventually settle for a weak/ thin cup that's more water than coffee, because that's what your staff will demand.  So go with a local roaster, someone who roasts their coffees in your area and can give you great service.

Try to avoid the Superiors/Brothers and the other restaurant suppliers.

Good luck

[xsPain]

I just read Max's post, and it looks like coffee drinkers break down into two groups, people who drink coffee because they like it and want a good, tasteful cup, and people who drink coffee because they think they are supposed to, but don't really like the taste so want it as weak as possible. Type two outnumbers type one, and by their nature can't get out of the way and let the type ones get a decent cup.



Amusing.

[Mark Milanowski]

I'm a Type II ( diabetic) but a type 1 coffee drinker. My favorite as of late is an iced redeye. 2 shots please.

[bluemax]

I just read Max's post, and it looks like coffee drinkers break down into two groups, people who drink coffee because they like it and want a good, tasteful cup, and people who drink coffee because they think they are supposed to, but don't really like the taste so want it as weak as possible. Type two outnumbers type one, and by their nature can't get out of the way and let the type ones get a decent cup.
Amusing.

Andy, I wish it was that simple.
Coffee shop customers are an eclectic bunch; those that truly enjoy quality coffee, those that buy a $4 mocha once per week because that's all their budget will allow, those that drink 3-4-5 drinks per day because they refuse to drink the free crappy office coffee, those who think they're cool but don't really like coffee so they order the sweetest gooiest drink on the menu, those who drink the espresso drinks strictly for the buzz, those who are looking for conversation be it sports, gossip, politics etc, those that are looking to meet Mr or Mrs right and the saddest group are those that come to my shop because it's the best part of their work day, and there are more.

The coffee shop has been and will be a gathering spot for the eclectic, divergent cross section of society. They like their drinks first and foremost, be it hot chocolate, tea or double espressos. In the 1500's the King of England banned coffee shops because he feared the literate crowd was planning his overthrow over coffee and that's why today tea is the drink of choice in Great Britian,

Andy here's bit of irony for you, there you are in South America the worlds  biggest producer of coffee, and the top shelf highest grade coffees are exported to countries that can afford the big price. The locals because of their poverty can't afford the best coffee grown right in their own country.

[06_wi_vfr]

Well - we've got both kinds of coffee drinkers.  We have an espresso drink/high(er) quality outlet now and have "cafeteria grade" in other areas.  We'll replicate this 2 tier system.  We're currently using both of the brands identified above as those to avoid - for easy caffeine infusion they're fine.  My only thing against Alterra is it's the upscale brand sold at my hospital's BIG competitor.  (Hint - they operate like the "Borg", i.e. "resistance if futile". Know who I mean?)  Also, I don't have the expenses or profitability targets of a private shop - this is seen as more of an upgraded amenity, so I just gotta cover my labor and product costs. (Pretty sweet deal).  Our whole new retail operation will be open about this time next year.  I'll call a coffee meet sometime after...

[06_wi_vfr]

Bluemax - wouldn't mind picking your brain a bit sometime.  I'm pretty new to this coffee biz.

[mxvet57]

Bluemax - wouldn't mind picking your brain a bit sometime.  I'm pretty new to this coffee biz.

If anyone knows it would be Max.

[Jeff]

Check your PMs.

Jeff

[cbsnbiker]

I'm a bit biased. I went to college with one of the owners of Alterra, and he's a good guy. (I haven't seen him in a long time.)

That said, I've been impressed with Alterra coffee when I've visited Milwaukee.