Before I started this blog, I had asked my Facebook friends to recommend some coffees to try out, and one of those coffees mentioned was this one – Batdorf and Bronson’s Dancing Goats Blend (thanks, Sara!). It took me close to two years to get around to trying it, but better late than never!
Batdorf and Bronson roasts beans in Atlanta, Georgia and in Olympia, Washington. They are a longtime part of the specialty coffee scene, having begun their business back in 1986 (30 years ago!). I had the pleasure of visiting their cafe in Atlanta (which is where I picked up their beans), and it truly is a gorgeous place – spacious and airy, with lots of comfortable chairs and sofas strewn about the sunroom-like outdoor area. I chose to pull up a stool to the only space left at the coffee bar, and happily sipped my way through a deliciously delicate Ethiopian pourover coffee. It happened to be my first cup of coffee in weeks, and it didn’t disappoint. I was very much looking forward to trying their beans at home, particularly since this roaster is famous for their Dancing Goats blend.
Whole bean: toasty aroma that smelled nutty and rich. Lots of nice depth to this coffee!
Espresso: The best shot I made of this roast tasted like chocolate-covered almonds, with amaretto on the finish. Decadent, with a pleasant bitterness on the finish. I found that these beans required a pretty high temperature – anything less than 205 degrees F made the espresso a bit sour!
Favorite parameters: 205 degrees F, 17 grams in, 21.6 grams out, 26 second extraction
AeroPress: This coffee made in an AeroPress tastes much like it does as espresso, just less intense. Still rather dark and toasty in flavor with a nutty bite to the finish. I don’t take cream or sugar in my coffee, but they would compliment this coffee very well if you choose to add them.
French press: Just for fun, I brewed these beans a couple of times as press-pot coffee, and while I didn’t think it was quite as special as the espresso, it was a satisfying cup of coffee if you’re looking for classic, comforting flavors.
Summary: I can see why this espresso blend has its fans, as it’s a crowd-pleasing mingling of flavors. This espresso is great on its own, and stands up well in milk drinks. It also does well brewed in methods like the AeroPress and a french press.
From the roaster: Our signature blend! Dark, smooth and sweet with a beautiful floral aroma, exceptionally clean acidity and a heavy, nutty body. Flavor nuances include fresh citrus fruits and fine chocolate. Caramelly and spicy, its complexity makes for both a flavorful espresso with rich, rusty reddish-brown crema as well an excellent drip coffee. This fabled blend is featured in espresso bars, cafes and restaurants across the United States that strive to create the “perfect cup”.