Livin’ La Vida Zoka

WHOA!!!!!  We had so much fun last Thursday!  Zoka was the host for the fifth installment of the TNTNW series and they did a great job!  Zoka decided to match the pot for the event and donate the money to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission!!! There was even a DJ (Troy Whalen)!

We all had a great time and there were some awesome pours.  Zoka took the top two spots of the throwdown, Mr. Brandon Paul Weaver took 1st, Amanda Jean Atkins took 2nd and Brady McDonald took 3rd (Urban Coffee Lounge).  Thanks to everyone who attended and made this event a success!  We look forward to seeing you for this months TNT!

Bluebeard TNT Parrrty

  Bluebeard Coffee Roasters hosted an amazing TNT October 27th.  I was super stoked to be able to attend!  Sara Z. and I got off the plane from Camp Pull-A-Shot and headed straight to Bluebeard.  Michael Elvin was nice enough to host for me and he did a great job!

  We had a solid turnout!  Bluebeard even supplied pizza and beer!  After a couple of hours of beautiful pours we had our top three: 1st:Brandon Weaver (ZOKA) 2nd: Nik Virrey (ZOKA) and 3rd Byron Betts (Valhalla). Big thanks to Bluebeard and everyone who showed up.

Cannon washes away the competition at Neptune!

Last Thursday was the third installment of TNT NW and it was a good one.  Neptune was gracious enough to host this kickoff to the Coffee Fest weekend.  We had some great Baristas in attendance from all over.  Nicely, Lewontin and Cannon I’m looking at you!

It’s a little difficult writing re-caps of throwdowns because well people poured a lot of pretty things in cups.  What I think is worth reporting is the continual feeling of community.  We are getting Baristas behind machines they haven’t used before and they’re pouring against people they haven’t worked with.  I for one got to use the Synesso for the first time thanks to the Neptune TNT!

Big thanks to Our judges Dismas, Sara Z. and Mr. Leon.  They rocked it!  Major props to Mr. Mike Cannon for taking the first place pour against Mr. Brandon Paul Weaver(thanks Cannon).  Cannon won a lot of money and street cred.  And of course thanks to everyone who came to cheer on their favorite Barista!  Without all of your support these event would be lame.

TNT NW Neptune. 9/22*/11

Quick update!  The poster for the TNT at Neptune has the wrong date on it.  The TNT will take place on the 22nd not the 29th!  Sorry for the confusion.  I have made an event page on Facebook with the correct date.  I hope you will be able to make it!

Dude..where’s my TNT?

YO YO YO!  The TNTNW has really taken off and we couldn’t be happier.  Metronome killed it with their back to school themed TNT and Neptune is up next for Coffee Fest week.  Thanks to everyone who has helped put these successful events together and to all the rad Baristas who have participated.  In the current issue of Fresh Cup there is a great article highlighting the TNT movement.  Let’s keep this going!

We are doing an open call for the next three hosts.  If you are interested in hosting a TNT in October, November or December you can e-mail panda@espressoparts for more info.  Thanks again for making TNT NW a success, we look forward to many many more.

TNT NW 7/28

Last night was awesome!  The first of three scheduled TNT NW took place at Espresso Parts in Olympia WA.  It just so Happened our friends at RBCNYC had a throwdown planned for the same night.  This throwdown was to benefit Equality Texas to show support for #YesEqual .  We reached out to Sprudge who were the media sponsors to see if we could help out.  Jordan was happy to have us involved.  Stonewall Youth is who we chose as the benefactors for the throwdown.

There are a few things you need for a successful throwdown: coffee, milk, an espresso machine and judges.  Batdorf & Bronson provided us with a great FTO Mexico, Sunshine Dairy donated milk and our judges were Michael Elvin, Heather Ringwood and Dan Baumfeld.  People started to show up around 6:30 they started to practice and get familiar with the steam tips.  We had our Sproline Vortex and Foam Knife 1 tips to test out.

    Fifty or so people showed up to pack the Espresso Parts lab.  Twenty brave Baristas threwdown magic was made.It was great to see such great talent in one place.  We got together for a good cause raised $100 and had lots of fun!
    Once again we have to thank the Sponsors who helped make this rad event possible. Thanks to everyone who had to deal with traffic to get to Oly and everyone else that attended.  The next TNT NW event will take place at Metronome In Tacoma.  And keep an eye out for the badass wrestlemania style belt for the winning shop.

1st:Katie Hoy of Batdorf & Bronson

2nd:Cole Mcbride

3rd:Rob Stofleth an independent

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoughtsofclouds/sets/72157627308527554/ TNT NW set.

TNT Northwest Mission

Can you imagine city to city, state to state, coast to coast-  where baristas get together in the name of good spirits, camaraderie and  the craft? Thursday Night Throwdowns invite a dial of craft selections, a super engaging platform for all walks of coffee geekery and seriously, who doesn’t want to close out the month with their pals! Flirting with the idea of saturating our communities regardless of the occupation or location just as the father of TNT,  Ben Helfen intended.  Sometimes latte art, maybe triangulation, perhaps brewing we don’t know that’s up to the future host. In the end we are gaining community, increasing fellowship and having a damn good time doing it!