3FE Coffee

maxwell smart · 12-02-2017 10:07PM #1

I had some visitors over to Dublin and as one of them is a coffee nut I decided to bring them to the new 3FE place near the Burlington (or whatever it's called this week).

I have to say that the espresso I got (and this was the general consensus) was completely undrinkable. I've never had anything as bitter in my life, a blend of (I'm approximating here) 40% Red Burbon, 40% Guatemalan and something else.

I don't get it, are we now at a stage where the only acceptable coffee you can buy in a 'third wave' coffee shop has to taste like this?
Is coffee in these places getting to the level of not being accessible to the general public's taste buds!!

I was very disappointed.

The shop itself looks great:D

all the questions · 13-02-2017 08:42AM

I had the exact same experience, I brought two friends who were visiting dublin, both very much into coffee and wanted to visit 3fe.

We had a few coffees there, the aeropress was fantastic, we all loved it, but we all agreed the espresso was undrinkable, way toof sour.

We are all in our 40's so maybe we are too old school! I am a fan of 3rd wave coffee but not as an espresso.

longshanks · 13-02-2017 05:21PM

Third wave coffee?

alastair · 13-02-2017 05:45PM

longshanks wrote: »

Third wave coffee?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_wave_of_coffee

It's undeniably cringey, but a real thing nonetheless.

uck51js9zml2yt · 13-02-2017 05:53PM

Was in 3fe's main store once....I just didn't get the hype around them. Coffee was mediocre at best

maxwell smart · 13-02-2017 09:42PM

alastair wrote: »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_wave_of_coffee

It's undeniably cringey, but a real thing nonetheless.

Or an easier way to identify it:
1. Beard and topknot
2. Tattoos
3. Large Black conical objects inserted into earlobe
4. Sandels (optional in present climate)
5. Incredibly slow service
6. Really acidic espresso - usually better in a milk based coffee

PPC · 14-02-2017 10:07AM

Did you complain/give feedback?

alastair · 14-02-2017 11:34AM

PPC wrote: »

Did you complain/give feedback?

This.

3FE are expensive, but they're clear that if you don't like what you've been given, they'll replace with something you do.

RGDATA! · 14-02-2017 11:40AM

shame if you didn't tell them because they'd most likely have given you something else. Whatever ever else you say about them their customer service is good. Personally, I've never had a bad or mediocre coffee there, and I'd credit them with getting me a lot more interested in coffee and changing my mind about what espresso could be back when they opened first.

alec76 · 14-02-2017 06:54PM

maxwell smart wrote: »

Or an easier way to identify it:

6. Really acidic espresso - usually better in a milk based coffee

I presume , you prefer classic Italian espresso i.e dark roast with no fruity/floral taste whatsoever?
You could get this in 90% local coffee shops , what brought you to 3FE ?

uck51js9zml2yt · 14-02-2017 07:25PM

never knew about their exchange policy but not been back in the locale so no reason to go in.

maxwell smart · 15-02-2017 04:39PM

alec76 wrote: »

I presume , you prefer classic Italian espresso i.e dark roast with no fruity/floral taste whatsoever?
You could get this in 90% local coffee shops , what brought you to 3FE ?

My colleagues were over from Europe and had googled 'top coffee cafe in Dublin' or similar so asked to go there.

We would all prefer something that is much smoother on the pallet. Two of the guys know coffee and were very surprised at the bitterness.

I didn't know about their exchange policy (thanks for the heads up) but one of the guys did speak to the guy behind the counter about the coffee. I wasn't listening to the conversation. We were also pushed for time so needed to move on

J_E · 15-02-2017 10:47PM

I just couldn't go to a place that charges 3.50 regularly, for espresso.

maxwell smart · 15-02-2017 11:47PM

J_E wrote: »

I just couldn't go to a place that charges 3.50 regularly, for espresso.

That was also a bit of a surprise for me, €14 for 4 espresso! When the cost per cup can't be more than 25cent (okay maybe at max 50cent with costs)

adrian522 · 16-02-2017 12:31PM

The cost per cup is significantly higher than that I'd imagine. It's not like they are using ultra cheap coffee beans there.

To add my 2 cents, I've never been disappointed by a coffee in 3FE but I admit I haven't been in there in a while. I do buy their beans fairly regularly and they are always very good.

All My Stars Aligned · 16-02-2017 05:21PM

As 3FE roast their on beans so charging 3.50 for an espresso is scandals IMO. If anything as a roaster and cafe they are in a position to sell their coffee for less then other specialty coffee shops who are buying in their beans.

That said, if people are willing to pay that much then why not.

Again, only my opinion but I would consider 3F£ on the lower tier of specialty coffee in Dublin. Vice, Proper Order, Meat Me In the Morning, Roasted Brown, Joes are only a few of those serving better coffee.

adrian522 · 16-02-2017 05:39PM

Well they still have to buy in their beans and roast them, which goes into the overall cost, as does rent, wages, equipment and everything else. I'd say €0.25 is a gross under estimation of the cost per cup but I've no idea really.

I'd say you get what you pay for in many instances. I'd rather pay €3 or whatever they charge for a good espresso than €2.50 for the terrible stuff you get in most places.

A lot the places you mention above are very good but won't be much cheaper than 3FE are. Maybe slightly but a fairly small difference.

All My Stars Aligned · 16-02-2017 05:44PM

adrian522 wrote: »

Well they still have to buy in their beans and roast them, which goes into the overall cost, as does rent, wages, equipment and everything else. I'd say €0.25 is a gross under estimation of the cost per cup but I've no idea really.

I'd say you get what you pay for in many instances. I'd rather pay €3 or whatever they charge for a good espresso than €2.50 for the terrible stuff you get in most places.

A lot the places you mention above are very good but won't be much cheaper than 3FE are. Maybe slightly but a fairly small difference.

Just off the top of my head I know that three of them charge 2.50 for excellent espresso, this after paying considerably more themselves for the beans. That a massive price difference.

16-02-2017 05:49PM

'third wave' coffee is what happens when Americans get their hands on things they don't understand. See also: insanely hoppy craft beer.

adrian522 · 16-02-2017 06:26PM

All My Stars Aligned wrote: »

Just off the top of my head I know that three of them charge 2.50 for excellent espresso, this after paying considerably more themselves for the beans. That a massive price difference.

How do you know how much 3FE and the other places are paying for their benas? I'd imagine they'd be paying similar enough prices to be honest.

All My Stars Aligned · 16-02-2017 08:37PM

adrian522 wrote: »

How do you know how much 3FE and the other places are paying for their benas? I'd imagine they'd be paying similar enough prices to be honest.

No there not because they are buying green beans and roasting them themselves.

Anyway, cost of bean aside, 3.50 is really quite expensive compared to other speciality shops in Ireland. Personally I would not pay it but each to their own.

adrian522 · 16-02-2017 08:43PM

It's not like it doesn't cost them anything to roast their beans. Their roastery didn't come free, that was a pretty big investment and that cost also has to be factored in.

Also it's not like none of the places you mentioned roast their own beans, as I said, I always find the coffee their excellent and am happy to pay for it, but I'd usually just buy the beans and make my coffee at home.

3.50 is a bit on the expensive side but I don't think its ridiculous profiteering or anything. You get what you pay for and their are plenty of cheaper places if that is what you are after.

uck51js9zml2yt · 16-02-2017 08:57PM

adrian522 wrote: »

It's not like it doesn't cost them anything to roast their beans. Their roastery didn't come free, that was a pretty big investment and that cost also has to be factored in.

Also it's not like none of the places you mentioned roast their own beans, as I said, I always find the coffee their excellent and am happy to pay for it, but I'd usually just buy the beans and make my coffee at home.

3.50 is a bit on the expensive side but I don't think its ridiculous profiteering or anything. You get what you pay for and their are plenty of cheaper places if that is what you are after.

You cant put the cost down to their roastery. I was in the Roast House in Tralee at the weekend. They roast their own beans....It was a really nice coffee.....cost €2.50 a cup.

I'd have bought a bag of beans only I'm overflowing in coffee atm.

adrian522 · 16-02-2017 09:06PM

I'm not putting their cost down to that, I'm saying just because they roast their own beans doesn't mean their overall cost is drastically reduced.

They'll price their products to maximise profits like any business but I've already accepted above that you can get cheaper espresso elsewhere if that is what you are after.

J_E · 17-02-2017 02:32PM

Deleted User wrote: »

'third wave' coffee is what happens when Americans get their hands on things they don't understand. See also: insanely hoppy craft beer.

Totally off the ball. Third Wave is one of the best things to happen to cafes and I am so thrilled that Dublin are on point with it. I was in Switzerland last week and the general standard of coffee was not on par. It was hard to find a place that didn't put out cheap machine-made coffee for €5 a pop. All industrial beans. Was thoroughly disappointed. I don't think people know just how good we have it here. The point is now you have a wealth of flavours, not just 'dark'. Don't like the light roasts? Just go somewhere else and see what they offer! Cafes have their own signature tastes, it's so great.

maxwell smart · 17-02-2017 02:37PM

J_E wrote: »

Totally off the ball. Third Wave is one of the best things to happen to cafes and I am so thrilled that Dublin are on point with it. I was in Switzerland last week and the general standard of coffee was not on par. It was hard to find a place that didn't put out cheap machine-made coffee for €5 a pop. All industrial beans. Was thoroughly disappointed. I don't think people know just how good we have it here. The point is now you have a wealth of flavours, not just 'dark'. Don't like the light roasts? Just go somewhere else and see what they offer! Cafes have their own signature tastes, it's so great.

As a regular visitor to Switzerland I agree that some of the coffee there is terrible, but there are plenty of automated machines now making perfectly acceptable and consistent coffee. (James Hoffman recently wrote an interesting article on this). These are popular with the Swiss as they value consistency (in everything!).
Regarding the €5 price, Switzerland is more expensive than Ireland for everything. A bottle of water can cost €6. So you can't compare it on a like for like price basis with here.

aristotle25 · 17-02-2017 05:58PM

I find 3FE a bit expensive as well but it is good quality. Easy to forget they probably forged the way forward for proper coffee in Dublin many years ago when they started in Twisted Pepper.
Plently of strong competition for them now though which is good for us all. Coffee Angle is one I like.

In fairness they should keep charging 3.5 for an espresso while the demand is there. They are well known now. If you don't like the price there are plenty of other excellent coffee shops in Dublin.

J_E · 17-02-2017 06:49PM

maxwell smart wrote: »

As a regular visitor to Switzerland I agree that some of the coffee there is terrible, but there are plenty of automated machines now making perfectly acceptable and consistent coffee. (James Hoffman recently wrote an interesting article on this). These are popular with the Swiss as they value consistency (in everything!).
Regarding the €5 price, Switzerland is more expensive than Ireland for everything. A bottle of water can cost €6. So you can't compare it on a like for like price basis with here.

Oh yeah, I'm a big filter fan, but I found a lot of the coffees quite disappointing. Was aching for a good flat white when I got back here! I just couldn't find any that were notable in Lucerne.

All My Stars Aligned · 17-02-2017 08:22PM

aristotle25 wrote: »

I find 3FE a bit expensive as well but it is good quality. Easy to forget they probably forged the way forward for proper coffee in Dublin many years ago when they started in Twisted Pepper.
Plently of strong competition for them now though which is good for us all. Coffee Angle is one I like.

In fairness they should keep charging 3.5 for an espresso while the demand is there. They are well known now. If you don't like the price there are plenty of other excellent coffee shops in Dublin.

Believe it or not Coffeeangel was going a fair while before 3FE opened. I believe Colin worked for Karl for a bit! KP... the grandaddy of the Irish coffee scene :pac::pac::pac:

Sorry Karl!!!

alastair · 18-02-2017 08:34PM

All My Stars Aligned wrote: »

Believe it or not Coffeeangel was going a fair while before 3FE opened. I believe Colin worked for Karl for a bit! KP... the grandaddy of the Irish coffee scene :pac::pac::pac:

Sorry Karl!!!

Karl's set-up down at the second Electric Picnic must have been a lightbulb moment for a bunch of budding coffee entrepreneurs - massive queues of people waiting to get good coffee. Great to see the bricks and mortar Coffee Angels getting a foothold now.

I suppose the trifecta of the Coffe Angel Piaggios, Bald Barista, and Coffee Society laid the ground for all the decent coffee shops that followed.

imme · 19-02-2017 10:38AM

Was there once

It didn't endear me to itself

A wanky kind of place, all very happy with their own style, prices etc

Sounds very harsh that:(

3FE Coffee

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