The Metro may be closed in DC, but that’s not stopping droves of java seekers from finding their buzz at Peregrine Espresso. According to Peregrine’s Twitter feed, both MidCity and Eastern Market locations will stay open until 9PM tonight. Petula Dvorak of the Washington Post reports:

Baristas carpooled, bicycled and walked to work to help caffeinate the masses.

“A lot of our employees live nearby, so they could walk,” said Randy Kindle, as the wind howled outside and he poured another espresso.

Peregrine had a little fun at Dvorak’s expense, quoting a real humdinger of a line on Twitter:

My country tis of thee, sweet land of coffee, for thee I brew.

The post DC: Peregrine Prevails After Sandy’s Surge, Huge Lines appeared first on Sprudge.com.

It takes around three hours to travel between Philadelphia and DC. It’s takes around four to five hours if you stop for John’s Roast Pork sandwiches, a tiny hole-in-the-wall that is littered with James Beard awards and “Best Sandwich” placards. You might also lose a little extra time if you stop at the gas station for Jalapeno Ranch Blast Ruffles, “real cheese” Toasted Sandwich crackers, and Sour Patch Kids. Oh, and do take an extra half hour to pay your respects to the late Divine at her grave in Towsen, Maryland (don’t forget to “leave makeup, food, and graffiti“).

So all-in-all, it takes around 6  hours to travel between Philadelphia and DC.

IMHO, the Counter Culture Coffee DC Training Center is perhaps the most refined of the bunch, located as it is on the second floor of a beautiful building in the middle of Adams Morgan. The view from the roof is just stunning, and the space itself is just so darn charming. Fermentation & Fruit Bombs continued its tour here in this space, bringing together around 45 DC residents, including newcomer Faith Ortiz, formally of Spruce St. Espresso in Philadelphia.

So how was my evening? Well, Tim Hill busted out his cupping (profiled in Philly here and Boston here), then Katie Carguilo busted out her fermentation presentation (profiled here and here). How was yours?

We threw together a little video of Katie’s signature beverage presentation, which BTW is caps lock DELICIOUS. Check it out:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Stray Observations:

• Julia’s Empanadas are great. But if you’re going to go across the street from the Training Center to the Jack Rose Dining Saloon, it’s best to eat at least ten or fifteen of those empanadas first, especially if you’re going there for an endless whisky/scotch tasting flight. Oy. 
• A cafe called Tryst in Adams Morgan is chockablock with DC power bloggers. Most were sipping a beverage called the Chaipuccino, which is like a frozen dirty chai. It’s absolutely the most perfect hang over treat.
• You absolutely have to check out the new Peregrine Espresso at Union Market, which is like the Ponce City Market, which is like the Chelsea Market, which is like the Ferry Building.
• When I get back home, I’m going to start hanging all of my brewing equipment up like this.

The post Fermentation & Fruit Bombs: Washington, DC appeared first on Sprudge.com.

From the Peregrine blog:

Remember when Lindsey, Travis and Randy went to Atlanta to compete in the Southeast Regional Barista Competition? Well, it is now time for the US Barista Championship, happening next weekend in Portland, OR. We are excited to have Lindsey Kiser and Travis Beckett representing Peregrine Espresso at the USBC and they’ve been working very hard to polish their routines.

The post [Video] Peregrine Espresso Preps For USBC appeared first on Sprudge.com.

Before Scott Guglielmino’s presentation even began, people were clustered around the machine, watching shots drop and munching on Jamaican beef empanadas and white pizza. The presentation itself was a bit more casual and conversational this time around, and Scott managed to incorporate talking about his pre-Marzocco days as a member of the La Marzocco “Street Team”. The general vibe of Scott’s talk can be summed up by quoting his closing statement: “Thanks for coming out. We think this machine is really special – let’s go try some coffee.”

Just a quick note: while the Counter Culture Training Center in DC is actually quite nice, people who work for CCC are quick to point to the centers in Atlanta and Chicago as their showcase spots. I think they’re forgetting the best part of their space in DC, the truly stunning rooftop patio featuring clear views of the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the Smithsonian Castle.

(It’s especially gorgeous at sunset…)

(Photos by @bludviksen)

The post EP In DC: Strada Tour Redux appeared first on Sprudge.com.

Join us tonight, Wednesday, July 26th, to catch the first glimpse of La Marzocco’s Strada EP in the nation’s capitol. Tonight’s event offers baristas in DC and its surrounding environs a chance to play with the machine, learn from and nerd out with one of the Strada’s head designers, and enjoy delicious Counter Culture Coffee (along with beer, something to nosh, and nice people).

Event happens TONIGHT at 6pm, at 1840 Columbia Road NW, Suite 202 in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Sprudge.com will be in attendance as part of our coverage of the La Marzocco Strada EP East Coast Tour / Bojangles Chicken Freedom Ride. Hope to see you there!

The post WASHINGTON DC: La Marzocco Strada EP Tour Rolls On appeared first on Sprudge.com.