How? We’ve always pulled ristretto shots. Ristretto means “restricted”. This means stopping the flow of water before it has a chance to start OVER-brewing the lovely coffee. The unfortunate downside of the double ristretto is the size. Sometimes one loses the coffee flavor in the larger drinks. Now, when you start putting more coffee in there… well… you get big, full coffee back, without sacrificing the pleasingly perfumed, fabulous beauty of the ristretto shot.

This way, you get the same incredible espresso you’ve always found, with the quality you can only find at Brewed. Only better.

Why would we do such a thing? Because we love espresso. Because you love espresso. Isn’t that enough?

Brewed Awakenings… Save the Crema

This location will be on 13th Street in Cedar Rapids, in the building directly behind our main shop. We are redesigning the building and making it a cool retail space. We hope to be opening in September.

If you are interested in learning more about selling your product, please email Heather at heather@brewedawakeningscr.com.

“Yes!” I replied. “Yes, we do! We actually had some last night!”

I told him about the night before, when local musician Dave Tessier spent a few hours with us. Dave, who has many fans among the staff at Brewed, played his guitar and sang for a little over an hour. The evening was quiet, cloudy and sort of chilly for July, and it was one of those nights that I was able to really enjoy working at a coffee shop.

We expected the night to be crazy, but instead, it was cozy.

Many of Dave’s songs focused on his faith, and one of my favorites told the story of a handicapped boy who only wanted to play baseball. At the end of the evening, Dave told us that he enjoyed coming out and playing for his friends and family.

We have several more musicians coming to Brewed Awakenings in the next few weeks. Come out and hear some music from people who simply love to play for you.

Upcoming artists include Diva Kai (July 31) and Chris Miller (August 4). For more information, see Events and Press on our website.

An elderly couple came into the shop today and ordered two decaf coffees, a chocolate chip cookie and a butter rum scone. Brandon poured their coffees, and as I slid them two plates with their respective goodies of choice, the man informed me that they only needed one plate.

“We sleep together,” he announced. “We can share a plate.”

His wife sheepishly looked down at her purse, giggling.

“Well, that’s good,” I said, thinking how nice it must be to be old and still in love.

“I bet you don’t hear that often,” he remarked.

“Nope,” I answered, smiling.

“Not many people still sleep with their sister at my age!” I watched his wife’s shoulders shake as her giggles intensified, and so did mine.

“This is the first time we’ve been here,” he continued. “We’ve been driving past here for a year, but it’s the first time we’ve stopped in. And I sure like it. It’s just like I imagined it would be.”

I was very, very glad.

Performers played both guitar and keyboard, and their songs touched on themes ranging from love to faith.

Nick and Allie Lapointe started the Guild over a year ago with her husband when they moved to Cedar Rapids.

“We have our regulars,” Allie said. “It’s a lot of fun. We have new people, too. We kind of speak each other’s language.”

Performers included Chris Miller, Allie Lapointe, Keith Yoder, Jessy Vera, Lane Gaffney, Marcy Each, Dave Paris and Nick Lapointe.

The Iowa Songwriters Guild meets the second Tuesday of each month and always welcomes new people interested in songwriting. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/iowasongwritersguild.

What is a mosquito’s favorite sport? Skin diving.

What is a mouse’s favorite game? Hide and squeak!

Banjo music filled the café Tuesday evening at Brewed Awakenings, interspersed with jokes and requests from a little boy in the audience. The folk trio Unstrung Heroes pulled out their instruments and matching blue shirts to entertain us with some traditional folk songs and John Denver tunes.

And between each song, Dave Brauhn, who shared the stage with Casey Orr and Kelly Rooks, drew upon his ample supply of “punny” jokes:

Why do thermometers go to college? To get degrees.

Dave, a retired elementary school principal, told me the group has been singing together for 15 years in nursing homes, care centers, at birthday and anniversary parties and in church services.

“We have a good time,” Dave said.

“We hope to share a little enjoyment,” Casey added.

Brewed barista Amanda and her husband Nate stopped by to play a game and enjoy the music and some tasty drinks with friends.

“We just came to hang out,” Amanda said. “There’s always some sort of excitement here. You never know what you’ll find!”

Brewed Awakenings hosts live music events regularly. Come out to hear the Iowa Songwriter’s Guild on Tuesday, July 14 at 7 p.m. and local singer/songwriter Dave Tessier on Friday, July 17, also at 7 p.m. Keep an eye on upcoming live music events on our website under Events & Press.

We have so many concerts coming up, too! Check out the events page on our website to see more!

“Hmm…what mocktail shall I try?”

The first evening we offered the new drinks, I sat at the shop with some fellow Brewed kids.  As Henson ordered his third drink for the evening, I overheard him promise to pay for it himself, rather than hemorrhage his mother’s account.   I considered reminding him overindulgence is not necessary; he does not have to try the entire menu in one evening.  I figure he already knows: Mocktails are here to stay.

“The Long Chailand”

Henson favors the Eskimo, while Kylee is a fan of the fruity-flavored faux-tinis.

We hooked other regular customers on the Long Chailand, made of soda and chai, and the DirTea, a chai-espresso mixture.

“The Eskimocha”

I enjoyed an Eskimocha, a small, iced concoction of espresso, cream and chocolate, shaken and served in a martini glass with a special Brewed Awakenings cocktail napkin.

“Kyle tries The Dude”

The new mocktail menu, comprised of cocktail-inspired, iced espresso, chai and soda drinks, also includes tasty appetizers.

A few afternoons ago, while working on the island of Brewed at St. Luke’s Hospital,  Brooke and I decided that Ellen’s spinach artichoke dip, featured on the mocktail menu, would likely be a part of our last meal.  (Yes, it’s that good.)

And don’t forget, it’s all available nightly from 6 to 9, Monday – Friday.

Come chill at Brewed this summer!

I carried my cup of coffee into the bed of my grandfather’s covered truck.  I chose this seat as my teenage crush also decided to take the bumpy ride to the airport.  What luck, I thought–myself, my little brother & my crush, Philip,  all in one place.  Surely, he can’t help but notice me now.  What witty conversation we will have in the truck bed.  What a great story to tell our children. What can I say, I am a girl!  Our minds wander to the future like any good forward thinker.  

I honestly don’t remember what the three of us talked about on this ride.  I do remember bumps, Philip’s jet black shiny hair, jostles, Philip’s olive skin, and nauseousness.  Part way through the ride, the nauseousness took over.  My chocolate coffee drink on an empty stomach seemed like a very bad choice.  I knew I needed to get outside.  I would not puke in front of my crush. 

My grandparents and my mom were in the cab of the truck.  I could see them through the cab’s back window.  After informing my brother & my crush of my troubles, I began pounding on the cab window.    I might as well have been lightly tapping as they clearly could not hear me.  Graciously, my crush joined in, and we finally got their attention.  After a game of puke charades, they pulled over just in time.   I successfully did not lose my coffee in front of my crush.  I did, however, spent the rest of the ride in the cab, mortified. 

As you might imagine, I did not touch coffee for a very long time after that.   It’s funny to me that I now run a coffeehouse.  Very ironic.  Apparently I wasn’t scarred for life.   But I probably won’t ride in the bed of a truck with a cup of coffee any time soon.

Everybody needs caffeine to keep their blood a-pumpin’.

A big ol’ bunch of folks are talking up there on the stage -

A man is reading something, but he hasn’t turned a page.

A crowd of giggling students just came walking in the door -

Looks like Steph and Carolyn can work a little more.

People doing homework here, ladies knitting there -

I’m just sitting blogging in this cozy corner chair.

I had a macchiato, a tasty little treat -

Just the thing to sip on while I rest the tired feet.

And now a chocolate oat bar, just what i was needing -

I should have brought a book so I could do a little reading.

I started out with work stuff, and have since moved on to play -

I wanted a bit more coffee, so I guessed I’d have to stay.

Sure, I could brew some at home, but what’s the fun in that?

Come to Brewed Awakenings and you’ll be where it’s at.