In part two of our conversation with Bob Kruger and Mary Vacca of Ugly Duck Coffee, we hear how they ended up at Expo this year, all the great connections they made, and what life is like as a famous coffee social media personality working for a famous multi-roaster coffee shop.

More show notes, covering everything mentioned in the episode, available on our Substack.

Thanks for listening!

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Mind of Magnus

Artist Magnus Champlin Interviews guests sharing the stories and life adventures with the goal of expanding minds.

We sit down with Bob Kruger and Mary Vacca of Ugly Duck Coffee to hear about their time at the 2024 Specialty Coffee Association Expo in Chicago, IL.

Visit us on Substack for a list of links related to the episode.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Behind the Studio Door

Behind the Studio Door, hosted by Molly Darling and Christian Rivera, takes listeners on a captivating exploration of artists and their creative processes. Through deep and meaningful conversations, they uncover the stories and experiences that shape the outward expression of their work. https://behind-the-studio-door.captivate.fm/

Aubrey Mowers, of Blue Heron coffee shares with us how she ventured from drinking Folgers coffee to becoming an SCA certified roaster and barista.

https://www.instagram.com/blueheroncoffeeroc/

https://rococorochester.com/

https://www.uglyduckcoffee.com/

https://sca.coffee/

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

A quick update about the progress of Starbucks Workers United, and the first signs of the company's willingness to slow or stop what many consider to be retaliatory, anti-union practices. We look at recent statements from the company and a quick history of the SWU movement and what we can hope on from this shift in tone from the coffee giant.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Greek yogurt giant Chobani purchased La Colombe and we...have thoughts.

You can find breakdowns of the acquisition at technical.ly and Fast Company.

Rebel Beverage Labs is now Loftiwater.

Read up on the RTD coffee market at Perfect Daily Grind.

Madcap!

For some excellent analysis of the effects of private equity and market consolidation in coffee read and interact with Boss Barista and Coffee Intelligence.

If numbers are your thing, read this.

Shoutouts to Perc and Ugly Duck!

SCA: Toward a Definition of Specialty Coffee

Why 40 Blank Street locations opened in NYC. And why it sucks.

Shoutout to Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters.

Thanks for listening.

Special thanks to producer Chris Lindstrom, the Food About Town Studio, and The Lunchador Podcast Network.

You can find us on Substack and wherever you get your podcasts. Please subscribe, rate, review, and tell a friend to listen.

Also look for us on IG @levelup.wny. DM us your questions and future show suggestions and someone will read it.

Enjoy your coffee!

Mentioned in this episode:

Refined Taste - Cripsy Comedy at Crisp!

Check out Dario and Chris from Refined Taste and other guest comics at CRIPS 3/7! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crispy-comedy-stand-up-at-crisp-rochester-tickets-814152982487

Mind of Magnus

Artist Magnus Champlin Interviews guests sharing the stories and life adventures with the goal of expanding minds.

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers. https://pauly-guglielmo-show.captivate.fm/

Hoop Brewer

Tricolate Brewer

Coffee Geek No- Bypass Coffee Brewing

AeroPress Brewer

Kalita Wave

Chemex 6-cup Brewer

Ratio Brew Systems

Fellow Stagg Kettle

Yama Silverton

December Dripper

Mentioned in this episode:

Punches & Popcorn

The masters of Couch Potato style Mike Huntone, Jason Bills, and Dr. Dominic D’Amore take a deep dive into the best and worst of martial arts films.

Behind the Studio Door

Behind the Studio Door, hosted by Molly Darling and Christian Rivera, takes listeners on a captivating exploration of artists and their creative processes. Through deep and meaningful conversations, they uncover the stories and experiences that shape the outward expression of their work. https://behind-the-studio-door.captivate.fm/

In this episode, Aaron Pascucci and Wade Reed talk about recent developments in Coffee Education after Producer Chris Lindstrom introduces the Lunchador Podcast Network.

Check out the Lunchador Podcast Network

Check out the Specialty Coffee Association and National Coffee Association for some solid, time-tested education resources.

Importers have also made meaningful contributions to the Coffee Education space: try out the Center for Coffee by Sucafina and Cafe Imports' Ed + U.

Some general education platforms also have coffee-related offerings: Uncommon Goods, Udemy, Skillshare, Good Form.

Shoutout to our friends at Coffee Geek!

We are the Proud Mary fanclub.

Check out Level Up on Instagram and Substack.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Behind the Glass

Behind the Glass, hosted by Richard B Colón and Quajay Donnell, is a monthly talk with the current month’s BTG Roster. Artists are interviewed about their submissions and we dive deep into their process, inspiration and thought process centralized around their artwork in the Behind the Glass Gallery located in the heart of Downtown Rochester NY. https://behind-the-glass-gallery.captivate.fm/

Lunchador co-founders Matt Austin and Chris Lindstrom talk about the new Lunchador Podcast Network, bringing you the best in arts, culture and more from Western NY!

www.lunchador.org