My Visit to Four Barrel Coffee in San Francisco

My brother, Roger, was in town from NYC, and we had breakfast in San
Francisco at Four Barrel Coffee, an independent coffee house and
roastery in the Mission district. Roger works at Maialino in NYC, and
Four Barrel supplies all the coffee that Maialino serves and sells at
retail. We were hosted by Matthew Hein, who graciously provided
breakfast affogati as well as a tour of the roastery. This is serious
coffee, where shots are pulled using "naked" portafilters, and every
drink is garnished with latte art.

Here's the 100 year-old four barrel roaster that gives Four Barrel its name.

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View of the roastery.

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Roger on the sampling balcony.

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Barista pulling shots.

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Roger and Matthew in front of the boars' heads.

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Retail coffee overlooks an elaborate collection of vinyl records (yes, vinyl) that drives the sound system. No Pandora. No iPod. No Spotify. 

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The front of the house serves pour-over coffee that's made by hand.

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Last, but not least, here's a video documentary of Four Barrel Coffee that I wish I had made. Very well done. 

And yes, I had affogato for breakfast.

Bike Ride to Two Harbors

The adults took a seven mile jaunt on mountain bikes to the nearest town, Two Harbors, which is named because it's located at the isthmus of Catalina Island and has two harbors: one on the ocean side, the other pointed at the mainland. Fire road with moderate hills. Had lunch not from the camp cafeteria and headed back to camp. Bought beef jerky for the boys.

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6:20 AM - Survived the BSA Swim Test at Emerald Bay

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All campers (adults included) need to pass the official Boy Scouts of America swim test: 75 yards of any stroke (sidestroke permitted) followed by 25 yards of elementary backstroke and a ten second back float. The water at Catalina Island was bracing, and all passed the test. For me, it was a flashback to the 70s, swimming in Lake Androscoggin in Maine. The little colored chits indicate "passed" and are used as an entry ticket to the waterfront.