VB's Pod: Recent Episodes
conor vanbuskirk
On this episode, Conor rejoins the podcast to review viewer questions and summer updates. Listen in to see what Upshot has going on over the next few months!
On today's episode, we interviewed the owner of April Coffee from Copenhagen, Patrick Rolf. Learn how he got into coffee, approaches roasting, and much more.
On today's episode, we interviewed Rob Hoos. Rob is a roasting consultant with a prominent social media presence. He is the author of books like "Modulating the Flavor Profile of Coffee" and "Exploring the Dark Side". Rob has helped many roasters all over the world and Upshot is no exception. Strap in and learn about Rob's introduction to coffee.
On this episode, we meet Vince McDonnell. Roughly two years ago Vince decided to commit his life to coffee through a company called Luna Maki Cafe. Luna Maki is a Honduras-based organization that aims to present some of the finest organic coffee that Honduras has to offer. Vince's counterpart, Klaus Hoppert, is dedicated to the farming side of the business while Vince focuses mainly on stateside sales. Together they want to improve want to improve Honduran coffee culture, educate customers, and serve beautiful organic coffee.
On this episode, Beanpod welcomes Lucas Cuadros. Lucas Is the owner and founder of Unblended Coffee. They are a company based out of Colombia with the mission to equip young coffee producers through green coffee sales. The future of coffee may be at risk but groups like Unblended are working day and night to leave the industry in a better place than they found it. You won't want to miss this conversation.
In today's episode, we had a conversation with Jr Silva. He's lived in St. Charles for many years while also owning Revive Brazilian Jujitsu and Prime Coffee. Jr spent his early years in Brazil, where his father, a former police officer, switched careers due to threats from criminals. His solution was to acquire a small coffee plantation in a secluded part of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Jr has been focused on supporting both his father and his longtime friend Agner through their connection with coffee. Discover his story, explore the connection between Upshot and Jr, and gain insight into his experiences growing up in Brazil.
On this episode, the pod welcomes Trevor Johnson. Trevor works at Wright's Tavern as a bartender but he's worked in the realm of food and beverage for a long period of time. He discusses the dynamic of the wine industry, the process of making it, and how consumers can interact with the industry as a whole.
The similarities between these industries are apparent so get ready to hear about The Wine & Coffee Overlap.
The team discusses their entire trip to Minas Brazil from start to finish. Listen in for a ride.
Where is the Upshot Roasting team going?
On this two part episode, the team discusses their future trip to Minas Brazil. Listen in to hear what they have to say about their very first origin trip!
What was our SCA experience like?
Today the roasting team speaks on their SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) Portland experience. What was is it like at a major coffee event? Who did they meet? How does this impact Upshot moving forward?
Is there a new Upshot Coffee opening up?
Upshot has partnered with Northroad Church to open up a cafe that operates 7 days a week. On this episode the crew interviews the man who is taking on the cafe responsibility, Jimmy Combs. He has worked within the coffee scene for many years and is ready to continue his work through the Upshot brand. Listen in to hear all the details in relation to the new Upshot cafe in Moscow Mills Missouri.
What's going on at The Upshot Roastery?
On this episode the team covers some of the latest news out of the roastery: Competitions, new coffee, private label roasting, and much more. Stick around!
What are some other ways to brew a good cup of coffee?
Today the roasting team addresses the topic of alternative brewing. This includes conversations on the Areopress, french press, moka pot, and much more.
What makes pour overs so special?
Today the team covers the beloved subject of pour overs. This brewing method is famous within the coffee industry for many reasons. Why should you make them? What equipment is necessary? How will it change your knowledge of coffee? All of these questions and more will be answered on this episode of BeanPod.
How does one get into home roasting?
Today the crew addresses the topic of home roasting: Is it worth inventing in? Where is a good starting point? How money is does one need to spend? All of these questions will be covered and more.
Have you ever thought about diving into home espresso?
On this episode, Drew and Blake begin to cover the equipment side of home espresso. This two part series seeks to make home espresso less overwhelming by including equipment guilds, recipe suggestion, brewing variables, and much more.
On this episode, the team interviews Stacy Bocksor. She works as a coffee trader for Sucafina Specialty in North America. The coffee industry has been a major part of her life and now she focuses mainly on supplying roasteries with coffee, alongside investing in the farmers she buys from. Give a warm welcome to one of Upshots favorite importers: Stacy Bocksor.
What's the best equipment for home brewing?
Today Drew and Blake cover home brewing equipment at different price ranges. The goal for this episode is to helping people make better informed decisions on coffee equipment. What grinder should I buy first? Should I dive into filter coffee or espresso first? All these questions will be cover along with many others.
Today the team interviews an important Upshot staff member, Laura McKinnon. She has been around for over two years and during that time she has served as a shift lead and a roaster. Come meet one of the key pieces on the Upshot team.
How can one improve their coffee at home?
Today Drew and Blake dive into their new series on home brewing. This series will touch on equipment, recipes, and overall tips to help improve the quality of cup at home. Listen in to hear what the team has to say about their home coffee experience and how it ignited their coffee passion.
How can workshops help your business?
Today the team interviews their workshop and efficiency coach, Matthew Shipp. Over the past year and a half Matthew has helped facilitate healthy and productive meetings with the Upshot staff. Hear how this has impacted the crew and also how it could impact your businesses.
What does the roasting team have planned for October?
Cold weather has arrived and it's time for coffee season. Join the crew on this episode of Beanpod by Upshot to hear about what they have in store for the month of October. New coffees to be released, new events on the horizon and much more.
How does Upshot approach green coffee sourcing?
In the world of coffee there seems to be a collective struggle over finding the best beans at reasonable prices. In this episode the upshot team breaks down their process for green coffee sourcing, sample roasting, and the buying process, as well as their current relationships with importers and current challenges with direct trade.
what exactly does roast style mean?
Join us on this episode to uncover why upshot’s coffee tastes the way it does. Instead of focusing on a darker roast style, Upshots roasting team want their customers to experience the complexity that light roasted coffee has to offer. What is light roasted coffee? How does it enhance the tasting experience? Listen in to get all these questions answered and more.
What is it like opening up a coffee roastery?
After 10 months of production, the Upshot roasting team breakdown their progress, struggles, and future goals. Sit back and learn more about what's going on in the St. Charles coffee scene.
I sit down with my buddy Dan Trtanj to discuss how he got into starting his own CBD business, his military service, and just hang and catch up. We hope you enjoy!
In this episode I sit down with my buddy and insurance agent Dan Luigs. I expected this to be a quick pod about building his business but it went way more interesting directions and I am happy to share it with you.
I sit down with the very talented John Harder to discuss life in small business, how he got into photography and where he wants to go as his business continues to become more focused on what he loves. You can check him out at www.youtube.com/playlist?list
Rods got something to discuss which is an article he read about Steven Spielberg's daughter announcing her desire to be a sex worker. That topic turns into an hour going all over the place from sex work, to shifting attitudes and acceptance of different lifestyles. Great conversation and a great laughs is what this one is all about.
Ryan trolls me with more gas station coffee, discusses his new go to custom blend at QT, talk's coronavirus conspiracy theories, and both of us believe Libya serves a strategic purpose for America but our assistant Caleb doesn't get us the info in time so we fire him.
I was a guest on my friends podcast- and they asked me among other things about the evolution of VB Chocolate Bar- Upshot coffee. Along with sampling Kraut Juice and discussing fermentation and other fun stories from the last 20 years.
I sit down with my buddy Ryan Newman and talk about his journey from painting houses when I first met him to having a career in medical sales, a masters degree in healthcare, and active service for the guard. In this time he has moved to Alaska and back, gotten married, and started a family. All of this in a relatively short period of time.
I sit down with my close friend Todd Mueller to discuss rare childhood cancer he overcame, his beautiful wife and daughter, and how he has struggled to learn how to be a good partner to both of them while dealing with 2 emotionally devastating miscarriages. I thought it might be important to hear from a father's perspective how you survive and grow from loss and what that led their family to next.