BEALE STREET BREWS, AZ  

 It has been one year since my last trip to Kingman, Arizona, to visit my fiance's family for Christmas.  Last year,  I was a little worried about where to go for a good cup.  I mean, seriously, how long can someone survive off of green mountain coffee with chocolate hazelnut caramel creamer for?  It must have been pretty obvious that I was fiending, because Julia's family took me to scope out  a  new coffee shop that opened up named Beale Street Brews.  Needless to say I was very skeptical of where we were going, and what we would be drinking...  I mean it isn't like we were in SF or NYC...this is ARIZONA!  When we pulled up, I became even more wary.  Here is a photo of the shop's "curb appeal."  

And here is a photo of the inside.  

Kind of an eye sore admittedly, but the machine on the back counter immediately caught my attention.  Synesso!  And here I thought I'd be drinking flavored cappuccinnos.  They use a local coffee roaster, Firehouse Coffee Roaster.  The barista/partner served me a creamy and approachable double shot.  I was happy.  Actually, shocked is a more appropriate descriptor.  I ordered another double and hit the road.  Long story short, don't judge a book by its cover (or should I say State, city, culture, coffee shop, etc...).  Here is a photograph of the former partner and Angela Patterson, owner.    

So anyways, I am back visiting Julia's folks yet again.  This time I made sure to enjoy a shot of Ecco Caffe from my mom's shop before hitting the road.  Nevertheless, I'm craving revisiting Beal Street tomorrow morning to see if anything has changed, how the espressos tasting, etc. 

*All photos were taken from Beale Street Brews website*

Nikolas Krankl, December 28, 2008        

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