Farm Direct! (whatever...)
Well, here I've gone and done it again. I stirred up another controversy.
This time, you can listen and read about it yourselves. It all started on AA Café Podcast #39. I recorded the podcast with my friend Candice, and we did a little section where I called out a few "liars" in the coffee industry.
Ok, Ok, I know. Using the word "liar" is a pretty inflamatory thing to do. I was well aware of that, and even felt a little gun-shy on the podcast when I said it. But you know me. I'm an in-your-face kind of guy. I'm as honest and forthright in my business (and life) as I know how to be, and I expect the same from those around me, and from those in the industry who are claiming to be a cut above. The "Third Wave," as they like to call it. It's supposed to be about integrity and quality and transparency.
So I said something about a company called Barefoot Coffee in California. They claim to be buying Ethiopian coffees "farm direct." In my endeavor to do the same, I've found it to be illegal and damn near impossible anyway. So I emailed them to find out how they managed to do it, but I didn't hear back from them. And I called them out on the podcast.
Well, that started a little bit of banter. A little Brian-bashing, as usual. And then, maybe, facing of facts. You can read about some of it on a messageboard called coffeed.com.
People can say what they want about me, but one of the posts says I got bitch-slapped by Starbucks, and maybe I was in danger of being sued by Barefoot now for libel. For the record, between Starbucks and me, I'm the one who did the bitch-slapping. As for libel... I'd have to be saying something that's untrue first.
Andy at Barefoot likes to make little backhanded comments about me, but I'm still right. And he knows it.
So if you listen to podcast #39, you'll get the backstory. If you listen to podcast #40 (featuring Amy Ferraris as co-host), you'll get more info. And if you read the coffeed board, you'll know more than you want to about some problems in the "Third Wave."
Guess I don't mind stirring the pot. Maybe I can be that nagging voice in the middle of the country that is the conscience of the coffee industry. Ha!
This time, you can listen and read about it yourselves. It all started on AA Café Podcast #39. I recorded the podcast with my friend Candice, and we did a little section where I called out a few "liars" in the coffee industry.
Ok, Ok, I know. Using the word "liar" is a pretty inflamatory thing to do. I was well aware of that, and even felt a little gun-shy on the podcast when I said it. But you know me. I'm an in-your-face kind of guy. I'm as honest and forthright in my business (and life) as I know how to be, and I expect the same from those around me, and from those in the industry who are claiming to be a cut above. The "Third Wave," as they like to call it. It's supposed to be about integrity and quality and transparency.
So I said something about a company called Barefoot Coffee in California. They claim to be buying Ethiopian coffees "farm direct." In my endeavor to do the same, I've found it to be illegal and damn near impossible anyway. So I emailed them to find out how they managed to do it, but I didn't hear back from them. And I called them out on the podcast.
Well, that started a little bit of banter. A little Brian-bashing, as usual. And then, maybe, facing of facts. You can read about some of it on a messageboard called coffeed.com.
People can say what they want about me, but one of the posts says I got bitch-slapped by Starbucks, and maybe I was in danger of being sued by Barefoot now for libel. For the record, between Starbucks and me, I'm the one who did the bitch-slapping. As for libel... I'd have to be saying something that's untrue first.
Andy at Barefoot likes to make little backhanded comments about me, but I'm still right. And he knows it.
So if you listen to podcast #39, you'll get the backstory. If you listen to podcast #40 (featuring Amy Ferraris as co-host), you'll get more info. And if you read the coffeed board, you'll know more than you want to about some problems in the "Third Wave."
Guess I don't mind stirring the pot. Maybe I can be that nagging voice in the middle of the country that is the conscience of the coffee industry. Ha!
posted by Brian at 10:34 AM
3 Comments:
What shitty debaters. They're attacking you, not your stance. People who use fallacies to attack other people are babies.
"People who use fallacies to attack other people are babies."
That's funny!
As a consumer, I do feel like I'm in quandary. I'm going to a conference in Barefoot's backyard in August. I used to work at a non-Third wave-y cafe in Santa Clara while I attended Santa Clara Univ., a current buyer of Barefoot Beans. I was looking forward to trying Barefoot since they appear to focussed on producing quality coffee in a location that lacked such attention. But as I read Andy's ad hominem attacks towards you, Jay (who's being pretty cogent in his argument), and the strawman consumer, I'm feeling that consuming from Barefoot might not be the most ethical thing to do. I might just choose to continue consuming from Blue Bottle and Ritual when I'm in the Bay Area instead.
I tried DoubleShot for the first time today, and after drinking 3 double espressos. had to run back to work. In the car on the way back, I thought, "Hmm, I wonder if they have a website or something...". Sure enough, here it is. The coffee was great, and as far as people attacking you goes... I don't really see why. You guys make terrific coffee... and were kind enough to interrupt your lunch as I kept asking for more espresso. I'm not sure what else one can ask for.
Thanks again for the great coffee... and don't let the jackasses on the internet bother you, there are enough of them, that if you start doing that, you'll quickly go insane.
Post a Comment
<< Home