http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/ Current news and events from Alterra Coffee, Milwaukee, WI. en alterra@alterracoffee.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-07T14:48:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_baristas_at_the_us_barista_championship_2008/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_baristas_at_the_us_barista_championship_2008/#When:14:48:00Z We are happy to have had 2 of Alterra's finest baristas make the semi-finals of the 2008 USBC. Check out Scott Lucey's and Justin Teisl's semi-finals performances below. Scott LuceyJustin Teisl Alterra TV 2008-05-07T14:48:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_baristas_make_semi_finals_at_usbc_2008/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_baristas_make_semi_finals_at_usbc_2008/#When:15:58:00Z This year’s Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) convention is just wrapping up, and along with it, the 2008 United States Barista Competition. Three of our finest baristas, Scott Lucey, Justin Teisl and Dave Schwalbach (pictured top to bottom), have been practicing for months in preparation for this year’s USBC and each made a great showing in the competition. This was Dave’s first time to compete and he held up well against the daunting list of big names that made up this years group of over 50 competitors. Scott and Justin took their well-oiled routines through the first round of competition and into the semi-finals. We are thrilled to have seen them advance into the select group consisting mostly of regional champs, who were automatically added to the semi-finals, past USBC champs and other talented baristas from across the States. It took great skill and great scores from the judges to make it into the semis and, along with their espressos and cappuccinos, Scott’s custard and Costa Rica “Campeon del Valle” drink and Justin’s espresso Manhattan were just enough to place them amongst some of the barista world’s finest. We and our many talented baristas will be working hard in preparation for, and looking forward to, next year’s competition, so be on the lookout for at least one Alterran somewhere in the final 6 of the USBC 2009 in Portland. Click here to check out video of Scott’s and Justin’s semi-finals performances. Alterra News 2008-05-06T15:58:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/bike_to_work_week/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/bike_to_work_week/#When:21:06:00Z Alterra is a proud contributor to the Bike Federation of Wisconsin’s annual Bike to Work Week! Pedal on down to the Alterra Foundry, located at 170 S. 1st Street in Milwaukee’s 5th Ward from 7-9am, Monday, May 12th through Friday, May 16th. Commuters on bicycles will be treated to free coffee and baked goods served from our outdoor commuter station. Join one of the fastest-growing movements in the country by choosing to burn more calories and less gas! For more info on Bike to Work Week events, please visit the Bike Federation of Wisconsin Web site.  Alterra Events 2008-04-29T21:06:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/milwaukee_fair_trade_city_crawl/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/milwaukee_fair_trade_city_crawl/#When:19:20:00Z Milwaukee has been officially named a “Fair Trade City” and now it’s time to celebrate! Visit Alterra on Saturday, May 10th and take part in the First Annual Milwaukee Fair Trade Crawl. The World’s Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break will take place at 2pm - enjoy $1 cups of coffee between 2 and 3pm at every Alterra cafe or kiosk. Also, that morning we invite you to join us for coffee and a presentation by Roberto Mata, president of the Coopedota cooperative in Costa Rica. Learn more about this cooperative located in the Dota Valley, the region from which we source our Campeon del Valle coffee. This event is free and open to the public.  Where: Alterra on Humboldt 2999 N. Humboldt Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53212 When: Saturday, May 10th @ 11am We look forward to celebrating with you! For more information on the crawl, please visit the Milwaukee Fair Trade Coalition Web site. Alterra Events 2008-04-29T19:20:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/beethoven_on_brew/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/beethoven_on_brew/#When:19:47:00Z Alterra is proud present “Beethoven on Brew,” a classical music series featuring members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. This monthly series takes place on the first Monday of every month through June 2nd at seven of our cafes.  Each performance begins at 7pm and is free and open to the public.  We hope to see you there! Last performance of this year’s series: Jun. 2nd - Alterra at the Lake Alterra Events 2008-04-23T19:47:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/ride_with_alterra_at_miller_lite_ride_for_the_arts/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/ride_with_alterra_at_miller_lite_ride_for_the_arts/#When:19:33:00Z Alterra is proud to be the 15-mile sponsor of the 28th annual Miller Lite Ride for the Arts. Totaling more than 230,000 participants since 1981, the ride is regarded as among the nation’s largest one-day recreational bike rides. Help celebrate the 28th year of this annual summer favorite, which has generated more than $6 million for the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). When: Sunday, June 1, 2008 Why: To help keep our performing arts scene dynamic and a vital part of our community’s culture. UPAF is among the nation’s largest united arts funds in terms of dollars raised and number of donors. The organization provides financial support to 36 beneficiary groups. What: The 28th annual Miller Lite Ride for the Arts to benefit UPAF. In 2008, the Ride is again offering a five, 15-, 25-, 50- and 75-mile bike route. After the Ride, participants can enjoy the Potawatomi Bingo Casino Finish Line Party at the Miller Lite Oasis, Summerfest. The party includes entertainment, performances from UPAF groups, and children’s and sponsor-related activities. Where: The Ride starts in downtown Milwaukee at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St., and finishes at the Miller Lite Oasis, Summerfest. The various routes travel past several Milwaukee landmarks and continue along the scenic shores of Lake Michigan through numerous Milwaukee-area communities and parks. Visit the Miller Lite Ride Web site for more information or to register! Alterra Events 2008-04-21T19:33:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/tour_de_cure_2008/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/tour_de_cure_2008/#When:19:40:00Z Join Alterra on Sunday, May 18th for the Tour de Cure bike ride to benefit the American Diabetes Association. The mission of the ADA is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Milwaukee’s 18th annual Tour de Cure ride will start with a rousing send off from Grafton High School. From there riders will enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in Southeastern Wisconsin. All distances feature moderately level terrain with well marked routes, fully stocked rest stops and SAG (safety and gear) vehicles. Afterwards, riders will be treated to a post ride party with entertainment and a tasty lunch. This ride is designed for recreational and avid cyclists with routes ranging from a ten-mile family fun ride to a 100K. Invite friends, family and co-workers to join you to form a team in the fight against diabetes. For more information on Tour de Cure or to register, click here. Alterra Events 2008-04-18T19:40:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_summer_concert_series/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_summer_concert_series/#When:19:27:00Z The weather is heating up and that means that it’s time once again for Alterra’s summer concert series! Join us Thursday evenings at 7pm at Alterra at the Lake, located at 1701 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive across from McKinley Marina (map) for free, live, outdoor performances featuring members of Florentine Opera as well as a fantastic lineup of local Latin music groups. We hope to see you down by the lake!* Florentine Opera at the Lake co-presented with Florentine Opera and US Bank June 5th June 19th July 10th July 24th August 7th August 21st Musica del Lago Latin Performance Series co-sponsored by 88.9 Radio Milwaukee and the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies (CLACS) at UW-Milwaukee: May 29th:  Bahia June 12th:  Nabori July 17th:  Cache July 31st:  De La Buena August 14th:  Orquesta Veneno September 4th: Spanglish Band September 11th:  Rain date for Musica Del Lago * Free parking is available across the street in the parking lot next to the sailing center.  Alterra Events 2008-04-17T19:27:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_baristas_take_2nd_and_3rd_at_glrbc/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/alterra_baristas_take_2nd_and_3rd_at_glrbc/#When:15:02:00Z We are thrilled to announce that two of Alterra’s finest baristas, Justin Teisl and Scott Lucey, took home the 2nd and 3rd place trophies, respectively, from the 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition! The GLRBC was held in Milwaukee, WI over the weekend of March 14-16 and hosted over 30 competitors from across the Great Lakes region. The group was whittled down to 6 finalists competing on Sunday for the top 3 spots. (pictured left to right: Mike Phillips - Intelligentsia Coffee, Tayla Strader - Intelligentsia Coffee, Alexandra Switzer - Intelligentsia Coffee, Justin Teisl - Alterra Coffee, Andy Carey - Intelligentsia Coffee, Scott Lucey - Alterra Coffee) After an amazing final round of competition, Mike Phillips was awarded the top honor and 1st place prize - an all expenses paid trip to compete in the 2008 US Barista Championship (USBC) in Minneapolis, MN. Scott and Justin, friends and Alterra barista trainers, actually had identical scores with Justin gaining the advantage with more top marks overall. This is their first time placing at a regional barista competition and we couldn’t be more happy for them! Check back here for more about upcoming competitions as we approach the USBC. We would also like to give a special thanks to all the volunteers, judges, sponsors, and visitors for making the GLRBC such a great success! For a thorough breakdown of the weekend’s events and some great photography, please check out Twitchy.org. Alterra News 2008-03-17T15:02:00-06:00 http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/great_lakes_regional_barista_competition_2008/ http://alterracoffeepro.com/blog/great_lakes_regional_barista_competition_2008/#When:15:18:00Z We are proud to announce that Alterra has been granted the privilege of hosting the 2008 GLRBC here in Milwaukee. The competition will take place March 14th through the 16th at the P.H. Dye Building in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward and is free and open to the public! We look forward to welcoming fellow baristas and coffee enthusiasts from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio for this world-class event. What exactly does a barista competition entail? Fifteen minutes, four cappuccinos, four shots of espresso, and four signature drinks prepared in front of a panel of judges. A strong focus is placed on presentation, cleanliness, professionalism, and of course, the quality of the drinks prepared. With the GLRBC around the corner, we would like to remind everyone that there will be a number of ways to get involved: + Apply to become a judge: check the SCAA Web site for information on how to become an official judge for the competition. Judges forms can be found on the GLRBC website. + Compete in the GLRBC: anyone interested in participating in the competition should begin preparing immediately. This event requires a great deal of training, dedication, and practice and is geared toward serious coffee professionals. Visit greatlakesbaristacompetition.com for more information on competing. + See it happen: Visit greatlakesbaristacompetition.com for up-to-date information on competition times and more. Be sure to mark your calendar for March 14th through the 16th. To see videos of Alterra baristas prepping for the U.S. Barista Championship, click here. Alterra Events 2008-02-19T15:18:00-06:00