CAFE SESSION WITH STEVE: SEPTEMBER 2024

Welcome to our September Café Session! As we bid farewell to September, it's supposed to be cooling down, but Denver seems to have completely missed the fall memo—90 degrees as we head into October is just wild! The one upside? Maybe, just maybe, we’ll get a warm Halloween for once. Growing up there was nothing worse than having to cover up a cool costume with a winter coat (still a childhood trauma for many of us).

This month, we’re diving into the cozy world of campfire coffee and introducing some exciting new caffeinated offerings perfect for the season—whether or not the temperature agrees. Imagine sipping a smoky, bold brew by the fire on those crisp fall mornings (whenever they decide to show up). And let’s not forget, football season is back in full force! Whether you're tailgating with friends, cheering from the stands, or enjoying the game from the comfort of home, we’ve got the perfect caffeine options to keep your caffeine levels as strong as your team spirit.

So grab your favorite cup and settle in, and let’s dive into this month’s Café Session together. Cheers to campfires, football, and a great cup of coffee!

HOW DO I RECREATE CAMPFIRE COFFEE WITHOUT THE CAMPFIRE?

This question can be interpreted in a couple of ways. If you're asking how to recreate the actual coffee brewed over a campfire—often called Cowboy Coffee—it's a straightforward process. First, get a tin or any heat-resistant vessel. Fill it with water and bring it to a boil. Once it's bubbling, remove it from the heat for about 30 seconds to let the water settle to around 200°F, which is the perfect brewing temperature for coffee. Then, add your coffee grounds. A good rule of thumb is one tablespoon of coffee for every 8oz of water. Let the grounds soak for a few minutes. The key to Cowboy Coffee is pouring it slowly, keeping the grounds at the bottom of the pot. To recreate this at home, just boil some water on the stove, pour it into a cup with coffee grounds, let it settle, and enjoy. But honestly, with so many better brewing methods available at home, you might want to consider other options.

Now, if the goal is to brew a pot of coffee without a campfire or stove as a heat source, I’d recommend a Jetboil. These compact devices are essentially portable bunsen burners—perfect for camping or backpacking trips. Simply connect the gas line to a portable gas canister, ignite, and you've got a powerful flame ready to heat up your water or even cook a meal. Jetboils are especially handy for preparing dehydrated meals like oatmeal, or in this case, making a quick cup of coffee.

Bonus tip: Don’t throw out those used coffee grounds. You can repurpose them as a rub for your camping meat or even sprinkle them around your campsite to help repel mosquitoes!

WHAT NEW DRINKS HAVE YOU COME ACROSS IN THE COFFEE WORLD?

Haven’t you heard? It’s Pumpkin Spice Latte season! The inevitable return of everyone’s favorite fall coffee drink. Sure, most coffee shops carry a variety of flavors year-round, but once Starbucks kicks off the Pumpkin Spice trend, it's officially fall. Every year, I hear, “Do you have pumpkin spice?” as though the syrup factories have been stockpiling it all year, waiting to release it to the masses. Don’t get me wrong, one of the great things about coffee is the endless opportunity to mix it up and try new things. But if you’re like me and a creature of habit, you stick to what you love and make it part of your daily routine.

One more recent flavor trend I’ve noticed is maple brown sugar lattes. The maple syrup dissolves nicely into a hot beverage, creating a rich, cozy flavor. Don’t worry—it’s nothing like chugging syrup straight out of the bottle, like that famous diner scene in Super Troopers!

Here at Rise, we’ve also introduced a new energy drink for those who don’t get their caffeine from coffee. Alongside fan favorites like Red Bull and Guayaki Yerba Mate, we now have Athon Energy Drink, which was a hit at our End of Summer rooftop party at Enterprise Coworking. Athon uses a unique blend of natural caffeine and L-Theanine (a calming compound found in plants and seeds), giving you a boost of energy without the dreaded caffeine crash. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a more balanced source of energy. Try one and let me know what you think!

If you have a topic or question you’d like me to tackle next month, don’t hesitate to ask! Submit a question or problem in the comments below!