Single-track Minded

30 seconds off boil I carefully empty my jetboil into the aeropress, soaking the freshly gound beans and releasing a bright aroma into the forest air that blends into the scent of new leaves, freshly turned soil, and spruce sap. This is the exact moment I anticipated all winter, there have already been countless moments …

Its Like Riding a Bike

Right now the riding season in northern Alberta is so close we can taste it. We can smell it too. Mostly it smells like mud, but as the sun warms the trees and melts the snow exposing the 6 month old rotted leaves the air fills with that nostalgic aroma, reminding you that lawn chair …

Home Brew Series Part 2: The French Press

Love it or hate it, the french press is arguably the most well-known home-brew method out there. The unique velvety mouth feel and brain-dead consistency of a french press make it among my favourite brew methods. If you don't already have one in your kitchen there is a good chance you know someone who does, …

A Season for everything

It can usually be felt in October - sometimes early in the month, sometimes late - but it always comes. Change. I wait for it every fall and each year it catches my attention in a different way. At its best I will feel the change as I step out my  front door on my …

Home Brew Series Part 1: More than just bad breath

The Snob Do you love coffee? If you answer with either yes or no then we need to talk. If you are already confident in your ability to brew a kick ass cup of coffee then you probably also know the difference between fragrance and aroma, and you're not intimidated with phrases like single origin, …

How a nap can change your life

A therapist once asked me why I like riding so much. My quick, well rehearsed but frankly, half thought out, response to her was something contrived about the freedom and simplicity that a bike offers. "Freedom from what?" was her immediate reaction. Ok, yes she is supposed to ask that, but still, good question. Freedom …

The Holy Trinity of beverages

Water, beer, coffee. No other fluids shall touch my lips. Well, those and scotch. And tea. But you get the idea. Coffee is important. Learning to brew it right is even more important. Stay tuned because in this blog we will uncover words like citrus, smoky, pull, press, aero, burr and many others that will …