Saturday, June 25, 2011

2011 June: Solstice at Starbucks

the old Sears building is nos the Starbucks HQ in Seattle
Part of the extern experience has been fieldtrips.  To see the complete chain of supply from inception to completion.  This week I have been slated to experience the Starbucks world.  I have experienced Starbucks at the store level as a customer since 1990 in Portland and have been a good coffee addicted customer ever since.  The one thing I did not have the ability to see past was the mystic of Starbucks as the corporate badguy. 

Elevators to the land of coffee

coffee display
Part of my "Fieldtrip" is that I get to tour the world headquarters of Starbucks.
I got to spend time with the manager for Food Research & Development, Coffee Research & Development, national account executives regional directors and local store directors.  I also met the president for the U.S. region. 

store mock-up

grocery store aisle mock-up

Tazo mock-up
I questioned their integrity, I questioned their motivations, I questioned everything Starbucks.  Do they really practice and believe the mantra that they preach in the advertising that is Starbucks?

the Starbucks store at Starbucks.  8th floor

banquette - picture of stores from all over the world

clover- reserve program
Well I came to an awakening conclusion.  You can be a successful worldwide corporation and still help the world.  They do walk the walk and talk the talk.  They live and breath coffee, striving to improve the environment, being a profitable company, and much much more.

line of packaging
Quality is number one.  They have exceedingly high standards, not just for the coffee they buy but for every step of the process until it reaches market.  Wherther it is the food they sell, the packaging, the style of buildings, everything is well thought out and has gone through hours of planning to make it as successful as possible.

roasting phases... weekly roasting events.
I have left all doubts behind and plan on adopting many of the incredible policies and practices in my life that make Starbucks such a success.
some of the programs and initiatives Starbucks is involved in.

logo changes

coffee sampling
Well I couldn't take photso in several areas on the campus.  Secretive innovation, and the future of Starbucks.  I got to see a lot and taste alot.  I can tell you this for sure, Starbucks is here to stay and they are going to impact the world.

Friday the Fieldtrip continued.  We visited several Starbucks stores in the Seattle area.  Some were new concept stores, other test stores, and some where the high volume stores.  Each had its own unique designs but still fit into the basic Starbucks concepts and design themes that I had learned about at the main office the day before.
Here are a few pictures of the day.
White Building - Once the tallest in the US.
Storefront - Columbia Starbucks, 4th street (one of the highest volume)

This is the Columbia building.  another store is on the 40th floor

They gotta get their fix!
the 40th floor store

Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.

Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.

Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.


Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.

View of the 40th floor store.
I love the view

Inside of the 4th street store (Howard's first store)

Merchandising is key

Clover.  So good they bought the company.

YES!! They really believe and live this.
One of the older logos on the 4th street store.

A lease store at a local Safeway. 

Kiosk store at  a hospital. The upper gate lowers for security after closing.

coffee art
 
Madison Store...In the neighborhood of the President of Starbuck's
Test store for the Blacksign - beer and wine

Reserve coffee selections
Blue Mountain Jamaican. WOW!
Some of the most amazing coffee ever



Ahhh.. Relax and enjoy.

Burlap Artwork

Coffee roasting phase display at store.
Well I had so much coffee that my hands are shaking.  I think I need some water actually to calm myself down.  I tried, Kenyan, Sumatran, coffee from Papau New Guinie, Jamaica, and more. 
I love this externship!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

2011 June: Washington State Brewer's Festival

The summer solstice is approaching and their have been a few dynamic days here in Seattle.  This weekend is the W.S. Brewer's Festival.  Friday I had to work, Saturday it rained all day, so Sunday I found myself on the 2 hour bus ride to St. Edwards Park.  North of Lake Washington the festival was loacated out in the woods.  I found myself getting off the bus at the hiking trail to the park.  So off I went.
The path to true enlightenment

60+ BREWERIES  200+ BEERS 
Oh my!

Charlie from work gave me the ticket, which got me admission, a taster and  6 tokens for tasting.  It's gonna be tough to just choose 6 from all the selections.  But i'll manage somehow.
IRON HORSE BREWERY

NEW BELGIAN BREWERY

DOUBLE MOUNTAIN BREWERY

SNOQUALMIE FALLS BREWERY

FOGGY NOGGIN BREWERY

TWO BEERS BREWING COMPANY

PIKE BREWERY

SCHOONER EXACT BREWING CO.


GOLDEN HILLS BREWING CO.


HARMON BREWING


DESCHUTES BREWING CO.
BEND OREGON

I finally desided to start sampling.  Deschutes has always been a favorite and today would not change that opinion.  "Hop in the Dark" C.D.A.  A delicious Cascade style dark ale with a fantastic hoppy finish.  Carmel and chocolate depth made this a light but well developed experience.


REDHOOK BREWERY

ALASKAN BREWERY

FLYING BIKE "COOPERATIVE BREWERY"

SKOOKUM BREWERY



HALES ALES


BLACK RAVEN BREWERY

EMERALD CITY BREWERY

ODIN BREWING CO.
 IT was here that I tried 2 more beers.  "Thor's Equinox" is a Belgian style overhopped dark ale.  They added a bit of Belgian candy sugar and finished with fresh amarillo hops.  This gave it the typical slightly sweet malty characterisic that i am not fond of but the hops added a great backbone and balanced it out.  Nice job.  I late came back for their White Belgian ale.  They finished it with mace.  WOW!  Not to sweet with a light hop finish and subtle mace nots of spice to warm the belly.  A truly unique beer in all it's goodness.
MAC & JACK'S




THREE SKULLS
had the best taps...

As a Chef I am not a fan of the normal PETA, but this is a group I would surely love to join. mmm



I took many more pictures of many more booths, with lots more beer.  It was alot to take in.  and the weather was muggy, humid and stagnant all at once.  The trees kept the breeze at bay.  


Strawberries k-bobs.  chocolate dipped  $6
What a great idea...show me the money.


So now I am heading back up tha path to take the two hour bus ride home.  Although now I am a bit more tired, full and have started a little squinty buzz.  A Sunday well spent.  I still need to get the laundry done.