Group Buy - Caravan Coffee Roasters

donnacha

So its been a good while since we did a group buy. I'd been looking myself at buying some beans from one of the new UK roasteries and thought a few of ye may be interested.

I really know very little about my proposed roastery - I only looked them up last week as I'd seen a picture of a few of their roasts on someones twitter feed. I'm attaching a PDF of their current beans. Mike @ Caravan reckons he could do us a flat fee on the postage by courier. Their retail bags come in 350g and are priced between £8.50 and £10.50. I've pinged Mike there to find out the prices of the individual beans.

donnacha

I guess I should also post a link to their website: http://www.caravanonexmouth.co.uk/

I'm also pretty sure I've tried beans from that Blackburn Estate before though they were roasted by the guys in Squaremile.

Vexorg

I would be interested in the caravan expresso and caravan decaf expresso. So you can pop my name on the list.

donnacha

All 350g bags
- Market Blend, Decaf, Gisuma £8.50
- Kikai £9.50
- Patrona, Blackburn Estate £10.50

It would be approx £13 for the total postage by courier ...

raytaxi

I would be interested in the Market blend and the blackburn estate please.

donnacha

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkfhrrPTbym0dFlyeTJ5UVhQOVJEWHJSNEVaVnNJd0E&single=true&gid=0&output=html

adrian522

donnacha wrote: »

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkfhrrPTbym0dFlyeTJ5UVhQOVJEWHJSNEVaVnNJd0E&single=true&gid=0&output=html

Can't seem to edit this file,

Throw me down for a caravan espresso and a la petrona.

Krusty_Clown

Stick me down for a Kikai AB and a Decaf Espresso.

donnacha

Great stuff. Updated order list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkfhrrPTbym0dFlyeTJ5UVhQOVJEWHJSNEVaVnNJd0E&single=true&gid=0&output=html

I reckon I'll give this until next Tuesday at which point we can finalise and get the order placed.

Wigsy

thanks for organising this. Can you stick me down for

1 x market blend
1 x Gisuma
1 x La Patrona

Thanks.

donnacha

Okay all - I'm gonna call last orders on this group buy on Monday evening. Mike in Caravan will be roasting on Tues & Weds and aiming to get our order shipped with the courier Weds afternoon.

James_R

Can you put me down for 1 x Market Blend and 1 x La Patrona please!!

donnacha

No access to google docs in work so can't update our order xls.

Karl in CoffeeAngel is gonna be getting in on the group purchase also and has ordered 1 x Caravan Espresso, 1 x Gisuma, 1 x Kikai, 1 x Patrona & 1 x Blackburn Estate. He has also offered up a chance for us all to get together to compare the results from our brews at home with what can be done on professional equipment in their PSL (Pembroke St Lwr) shop. Karl is pretty much ordering all the different offerings so after a week of playing with them we can expect him to have the brews nailed We can then also hit himself and Niall up for some brewing tips.

I think its a great idea so maybe we can arrange a meet-up the weekend of Sat 5th/ Sun 6th April?

In the meantime I'll get the order in first thing tomorrow am and I can then start working out when its landing so we can sort pick-up.

adrian522

Sounds great Donnacha, should be good to meetup.

Vexorg

donnacha, thats great and thanks again for organising. Let me know how and when you want payment, bank transfer / cash .

At the moment either day suits to meet up at coffee angel, so whatever suits the majority works for me.

James_R

This sounds brilliant, pretty sure either day works for me at the moment. Likewise - let me know how/when you'd prefer payment.

donnacha

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkfhrrPTbym0dFlyeTJ5UVhQOVJEWHJSNEVaVnNJd0E&single=true&gid=0&output=html

RE: Payment - I'm happy to take cash on collection or ye can pay via paypal if thats easier for you all. Once I've got the exchange rate sorted etc I'll update the xls with the Euro costs per order.

raytaxi

Hi just let me know how you would like the money/ collection arranged.
Thanks for arranging this.

Krusty_Clown

Happy to pay via Paypal or in person, but definitely won't be able to call in to CoffeeAngel that weekend as I have travel commitments. Otherwise, happy to do whatever works best for you donnacha for pick-up and payment.

donnacha

Sorry manic day so only updating now. Managed to place the order first thing this morning. Fair play to Mike in Caravan Roastery as he'd made an error when quoting me the postage but honoured the original flat fee charge. He is also including a few mini bags of the various roasts so for those meeting up in CoffeeAngel we'll have some spare to do a mini cupping - I said we'd report back to him on how it all went.

The roasts will be off with the courier tomorrow so we'll hopefully have the goods on Friday (maybe even Thurs!) Once I have an update on this I'll let you know as I know most will be keen to grab their orders before or over the weekend. Also just waiting for the purchase to show up on the credit card so will update the costs once it shows up.

In terms of the group meet-up it looks like Sat 5th April, 11am @ Coffee Angel PSL. Niall will be there and is happy to go through brewing a few of the coffees - hopefully that suits the majority. Obviously we just need to be respectful of paying customers when in the shop. The guys will also do a deal on a saturday toastie and some coffee brewed as a set(filter, espresso & cappucino) for €10 if anyone fancies that.

Thats all. Other news is I got home from work to find my espresso sub from Squaremile had landed - a new blend for their seasonal RedBrick Espresso Can't wait to get stuck into it in the morning.

James_R

All sounds brilliant!!!

The new SM is lovely, I've had a couple of caps and espressos with it so far.

adrian522

Nice one, looking forward to it next Saturday morning.

jdburkedjburke

Sorry Am I too Late?

donnacha

Brief update - I have the euro costs now as the transaction has shown up on the credit card so I'll update the xls this evening. I also have tracking details though it isn't giving me much info at this point other than the fact the package was collected from the roastery just after 4pm yesterday. Hopefully we'll have the goods tomorrow.

donnacha

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AkfhrrPTbym0dFlyeTJ5UVhQOVJEWHJSNEVaVnNJd0E&single=true&gid=0&output=html

Okay - finally have updated with Euro costs. If we can do cash on collection. Package doesn't look like its left the depot yet - the guys in Caravan said they'd speak with the courier and get back to me.

Vexorg

Great, cash on collection is good for me.

Doodee

Sad to be missing out on this but enjoy it everyone! Sounds like a fun meet up.

raytaxi

Cash on collection suits me fine if thats ok.

donnacha

Coffee has arrived. Anyone looking to collect please PM me.

I'll be dropping Karl's purchase into CoffeeAngel PSL at 3:30 so if that suits any of you let me know. Otherwise I'm out Dun Laoghaire way from later in the afternoon and will be around all weekend.

Vexorg

Will drop in around 3.30 to Coffee Angel.

Thanks.

donnacha

Just a heads up also that these bags haven't been sealed. I guess it's a startup roastery so they probably don't have all the equipment yet.

Vexorg

Great to meet donnacha and Karl, and OMG to the lengths Coffee Angel go to behind the scenes to get a great tasting cup of coffee, I consumed several milk based and non milk based coffees there and will still be wide awake this time tomorrow:)

A bit of a nice surprise was the fact that the coffee arrived in one kilo bags. I now have way more coffee than I can consume, so happy to offer 350 grams* 2 of Caravan Espresso - Market Blend and 350g *2 of Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo. Thats 700 grams of both coffees available should anyone fancy a taste, stick your name against what you want.

1. Caravan Espresso - Market Blend (reserved for jdburkejdburke if he fancies)
2. Caravan Espresso - Market Blend
3. Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo
4. Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo

I am based in Drumcondra & can meet in City Centre.

donnacha

Vexorg wrote: »

Great to meet donnacha and Karl, and OMG to the lengths Coffee Angel go to behind the scenes to get a great tasting cup of coffee, I consumed several milk based and non milk based coffees there and will still be wide awake this time tomorrow:)

A bit of a nice surprise was the fact that the coffee arrived in one kilo bags. I now have way more coffee than I can consume, so happy to offer 350 grams* 2 of Caravan Espresso - Market Blend and 350g *2 of Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo. Thats 700 grams of both coffees available should anyone fancy a taste, stick your name against what you want.

1. Caravan Espresso - Market Blend
2. Caravan Espresso - Market Blend
3. Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo
4. Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo

I am based in Drumcondra & can meet in City Centre.

I know jdburkejdburke wanted in so he might be keen on that Market Blend.

Yep, the guys in Caravan sent us masssive bags Fair play to them. I've rang Mike to say thanks.

donnacha

Couldn't get Mike in Caravan on the phone. Have sent him an email.

Sorta worried now that they made a major mistake in the roastery as its clear they have sent us 1kg bags instead of 350g bags. They would have to be losing money based on the quantity that was sent

donnacha

Looks like the guys in roastery made an error but Mike seems fine with it - so we all get to enjoy 1kg bags.

Here is what the guys in CoffeeAngel came up with yesterday in terms of dosage/yield for the Market Blend:


Caravan roastery recommended:
Dose: 19.4g coffee
Extraction Time: 31 seconds
Yield: 30g

Krusty_Clown

Thanks a lot to Donnacha for organizing the group buy. Wasn't quite as happy when I realized I had to carry the 2 x 1kg bags on the 4 mile journey home, but arriving back and tucking into a couple of cups of the Finca el Triangulo (decaf), I was once again delighted. Without a shadow of a doubt the best decaf coffee I have ever enjoyed - so much so, that I began to wonder had the bag been mislabeled in error. Well, I slept soundly, and enjoying a couple of cups of the Kikai AB, I'm re-assured that the decaf is just a really good product. I went with the Kikai, as it was described as being well suited to a Chemex, so figured it would suit the Aeropress. As per the description, definitely a clean sweet cup with a tea-like finish (probably should have made my own mind up before reading their description, as the tea notes are now very noticeable!).

So, very happy with the two sets of beans. As per Vexorgs offer, if anyone would like:
1. 350g Caravan Espresso - Kikai AG
and can collect in the Shankill/South Dublin area, drop me a pm. I think I'll hold onto the decaf beans as will have no trouble getting through them, and will use the opportunity to try and convince my colleagues to move away from the work Nespresso jobby.

snollup

Brewed some of the Guatemalan (V60) today in work (I work in Coffeeangel btw). Beautiful cup! Lovely bright acidity. Nice to meet a couple of boardies today in the shop. I am not working next Saturday but hope to drop in to put a few more faces to (user)names.

Edit.... Incase you all don't know, the Market Blend will be an espresso option in the shop for the next couple of days.

raytaxi

Great to meet you Donnacha, thanks for a great espresso Called into Coffeeangel on way home had a couple of nice coffee's there and Market blend was on the bar very nice
Have some of the Market Blend going to a fellow boards member later on as well.

jdburkedjburke

Hi

Yes I would gladly take the 350grams

Thanks for keeping me in mind.
I will PM you

Vexorg wrote: »

Great to meet donnacha and Karl, and OMG to the lengths Coffee Angel go to behind the scenes to get a great tasting cup of coffee, I consumed several milk based and non milk based coffees there and will still be wide awake this time tomorrow:)

A bit of a nice surprise was the fact that the coffee arrived in one kilo bags. I now have way more coffee than I can consume, so happy to offer 350 grams* 2 of Caravan Espresso - Market Blend and 350g *2 of Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo. Thats 700 grams of both coffees available should anyone fancy a taste, stick your name against what you want.

1. Caravan Espresso - Market Blend (reserved for jdburkejdburke if he fancies)
2. Caravan Espresso - Market Blend
3. Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo
4. Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo

I am based in Drumcondra & can meet in City Centre.

donnacha

Hey all, hope everyone is getting on well with their purchases. Unfortunately I'm not going to make Saturday out at Coffee Angel. Would love however to get everyones feedback so we can pass back to the guys in Caravan. Probably this thread is as good a place as any and I can just point the guys here.

adrian522

The Blackburn Estate is the only one I've tried so far.

I brewed it up in the Kalita Wave this morning. Very impressive brew I've got to to say, very smooth etc though I still need to adjust the grind slightly to get the best out of it

raytaxi

Had the Blackburn estate last few days in aeropress lovely coffee. Not sure yet if I will make coffeeangel saturday working Friday night so will have to see how I am after work.

James_R

I had the Patrona aeropress yesterday and it was very nice. Going to try the Market Blend espresso and another Patrona aeropress shortly. I'll be popping into Coffee Angel on Saturday.

Vexorg

I am enjoying the Decaf, much nicer than I expected. The Market Blend is really good too.

I still have some decaf available if anyone is interested, the market blend has been claimed.

Cant make Saturday at coffeeangel, missing the extra hour in bed and some great coffee is disappointing.

James_R

So are there many still heading in? Should be good fun. If anyone wants some Market Blend I'd be happy to bring some in to share.

jdburkedjburke

Hi

Update, linkup with Vexorg during the week (Tuesday late afternoon) regards getting the extra coffee from him and just to say a Big THANKS to Vexorg and also to Donnacha. I got some of each of the following Caravan Espresso - Market Blend and Decaf Espresso - Finca el Triangulo

I am enjoying my coffee as I am typing this up and I am impressed (Market Blend) haven't tried the decaf yet.
Hopefully be able to meet up on Saturday all going well. What time do ye hope to meet at.
Working Friday night and won't be finished till 11:00am in Monaghan but will still head up if any of ye guys will be about.

Regards
jdburkedjburke

raytaxi

THink the meet up time is 11 o'clock in coffeeangel I'm on friday night as well. So not sure yet if I'll make it, see how tired I am in morning.

raytaxi

Sorry couldn't make the tasting today didn't finish work till 12:( The joys nice quiet night till the very end
Hope everyone enjoy the tasting and it went well.

James_R

Ended up being just myself in there for the tasting. Tasted La Patrona (which I have) just to compare brewing methods with Niall and then bought a washed Rwandan espresso that was outstanding!! Had a nice chat with the CoffeeAngel guys but would have been great to get a few people in there and go through a few of the coffees.

donnacha

James_R wrote: »

Ended up being just myself in there for the tasting. Tasted La Patrona (which I have) just to compare brewing methods with Niall and then bought a washed Rwandan espresso that was outstanding!! Had a nice chat with the CoffeeAngel guys but would have been great to get a few people in there and go through a few of the coffees.

Sorry it was just yourself in hindsight we maybe should have rearranged once we knew most people had conflicting appointments.

Thanks to the guys in CoffeeAngel for offering to host.