Download a PDF of the schedule of events: ECW Shedule
Thursday, 27.October
7:00-9:00 pm: Casual Mixer
We will gather at the hotel bar and enjoy some refreshments together before the event kicks off.
Friday, 28. October
8:30 am: Breakfast at Intelli Pasadena, Opening remarks
See map on page 3 of booklet for walking directions from the Westin Pasadena to Intelli Pasadena.
9:30 am: Presentation and Tasting: How we Dial in Your Coffees
A fascinating demonstration by our top Baristas that will explore the various methods we use to obtain the best possible brews of the coffees we sell. Baristas will explain some of the principles of extraction and the techniques they use to get the best taste results from the coffees they are brewing using several different types of equipment.
11:00 am: Producer profiles
Several of the producers in attendance will give brief presentations about the unique approaches they take to managing quality and logistics, maximizing efficiency and profitability, and preserving the integrity of the environment on their farms.
12:30 pm: Lunch at Intelli Pasadena.
1:15 pm: Depart Intelli Pasadena to Los Angeles Roasting Works in vans
1:30 pm: Los Angeles Roasting Works Orientation and Tour
2:00 pm: Cupping the Quality Scale: Exploring the Spectrum of Potential
This is the first in a series of cupping calibration exercises designed to highlight the way we approach scoring and evaluating coffees. We will cup a set of coffees selected to represent the entire range of the quality spectrum, from poor to extraordinarily great.
3:30 pm: Cupping the Quality Scale: Defining the Threshold between Good and Great
In this session we will focus on what is perhaps the most challenging portion of the quality scale: the 82-86 range. Also known as the “On the Fence” range, this is where we will locate and identify the differences between a coffee that is entry-level specialty and one that meets Intelligentsia’s quality standard.
6:00 pm: Dinner at Intelli Roasting Works, Video
7:00 pm: Open House
Open to all for spirits and mingling.
Saturday, 29.October
8:00 am: Depart Westin Pasadena (front drive) to LA Roasting Works in vans
8:45 am: Breakfast at the LA Roasting Works
9:15 am: Group Selection for Roasting Competition
9:30 am: Introduction to Roasting Theory
10:00 am: Roasting Challenge
Attendees will be divided into teams and given a single coffee to roast. All teams will have consultation from members of the Intelli Roasting Crew and staff from Probat, Inc. to help design and execute a roast profile to bring out the best in the coffee. Challenge will be to create the best tasting roast!
10:00 am (Simultaneous with Sample Roasting Comp): Cropster Database System Presentation
Group will be divided into two parts. While one half of the group is roasting, the other will learn about using the Cropster Database to track and manage farm information and enable more frequent interaction with Intelligentsia buyers, roasters, and QC staff.
12:30pm: Lunch at LA Roasting Works
Grab a lunch for our bus ride to Venice
12:45 pm: Depart to Intelli Venice (on bus)
1:15 pm: Visit Intelli Venice
2:30 pm: Depart Intelli Venice (on bus) to Saarloos and Sons Vineyard
4:30 pm: Visit to Saarloos and Sons Vineyard
We will travel to a vineyard near Santa Barbara to learn about viticulture and the methods involved with crafting beautiful wine. Visit will include a comparative wine tasting.
7:00 pm: Dinner at Saarloos and Sons
We will be dining outside – please bring a jacket.
Sunday, 30 October:
7:30 am: Depart Westin Pasadena (front drive) to Intelli Silverlake in vans
8:00 am: Breakfast at Intelli Silverlake
9:30 am: Depart Intelli Silverlake to LA Roasting Works in vans
10:00 am: Cupping of coffees from roasting competition.
Teams will cup their roasts together to evaluate them and decide which one to submit for the competition.
11:30 am: Tasting of the competition roasts
Entire group will taste and grade the Roasting Challenge submissions and a winner will be awarded. Discussion about the various roasts and the taste differences between them will ensure, along with an explanation from the winning team about how they chose to roast the coffee.
12:45 am: Lunch at LA Roasting Works
1:30 am: Depart LA Roasting Works to Westin Hotel Conference Rooms
1:45 pm: Stakeholder Talk
Geoff will talk about the nature of the relationship between Intelligentsia and all of the producers in the Intelli DT network. We will discuss what it means to be a ‘business partner’ of Intelligentsia and explore the evolution of the Direct Trade model, taking a look at where it has been and where it can go in the future.
3:00 pm: Direct Trade Workshop
We will brainstorm together in groups and collaborate to design Direct Trade 3.0, sharing our perspectives as producers and roasters with the aim of improving the model so that it best serves the needs and goals of all of the stakeholders for 2012 and beyond.
4:30 am: Penagos Talk
5:15 am: Free Time for All
7:00 pm: Coffee Pairing Dinner at Intelli Pasadena
See map on page 3 of booklet for walking directions from the Westin Pasadena to Intelli Pasadena. A 6-course dinner where each offering is paired with select coffees and wines to explore how food and beverages can complement each other and modify taste.
9:00 pm: Closing Party at Intelli Pasadena with music, beer and wine and a special dessert.
