Porch Culture Coffee (2nd bag) and a new Grateful Dead live album (Dave's Picks 45)

Yes!  A new bag of coffee is ready to be opened and enjoyed at my home.  Let's dive in!

Today I am posting about the second bag of coffee I picked up in Tyler, Texas at Porch Culture and its name is as much of a mouthful as its flavor profile: Aurelio Villatoro Campamento Alto from Guatemala.  Here's a link to the coffee grower and his farm.  Guatemala coffees tend to be smooth and rich, so I was curious about this roast for a milder coffee experience.

Right away I noted that this coffee truly delivers.  It is smooth and has a melted chocolate feel with dark berry tasting notes. There's nothing complex about this roast but that doesn't mean it's boring.  I recommend not adding anything to this coffee such as milk, sugar.  Nope.  Just enjoy it straight up as it's a smooth and pleasant brew without an acidic bite.  Well done!

So while I'm digging the coffee, I'm also digging hard on the latest release from the Dave's Picks series by the Grateful Dead.

I've been listening to the Grateful Dead for a few decades now and was lucky to catch them in DC at RFK on July 13, 1989.  Even though my first show was in the late period of the band, I truly admire and enjoy the 70s era best... specifically late '71 to early '78.  So, when the announcement came out about the dates for the Dave's Picks #45 - I was ready!  

What sells it for me from the 70s are the beautiful tones and feel of the songs that they would play.  This set lacks the here-goes-nothing sonic experiments from the 60s and early 70s, but the playing is absolutely top notch with very, very few songs repeated over two nights.

I love listening to the Dead because I like their pace. Their songs never get too fast and sometimes their music blends into the background to the point of being sonic wallpaper.  But that mellow vibe of their songs, their playing, their sound... it gives me comfort during long drives on the road or when I'm just chilling at home.

Also, because of their pace, I tend to hear Grateful Dead's music in my head while I'm riding my bike to keep my cadence at a reasonable and steady pace.

Speaking of touring and races... I have three major bike rides coming up in March and April as well as a mini tour getting scheduled for late March.  And then in May, I'm back in Chicago for more touring as well as studio recording.  Yikes!

TLDR:  Guatemala coffee is good and I love The Dead!