Come join us for the monthly festivities at Shot Tower Coffee
542 Christian Street Philadelphia, PA
As usual, sign up starts at 7pm, pouring to commence at 8pm. Last year the TNT at Shot Tower may have been the biggest and most rambunctious of the TNT’s to date. Anywhere. Help us keep up the momentum.
After a little Thanksgiving hiatus we are back for the best time of year. The Winter Solstice is the reason for the season, and on the shortest day of the year we will be throwing down at Mugshots Brewerytown. What’s that you say? You didn’t know Mugshots had a store there? Well they do, and they are now serving Counter Culture Coffee, making pour overs, and hosting this month’s event. The shortest day means the longest night, which means the most party time available. If its cold, just warm up with a cappuccino, a beer, or someone else’s body heat.
On a side note, we also have a message for Washington DC TNT. No to say we told you so, but….. Na Na Na Na Na, Na.
The Gauntlet was thrown down by Washington DC. We were just minding our own business, having big parties, drinking coffee, pouring our little cups for cash. Just a little friendly competition among friends. DC sends us a taunting video making fun of Philadelphia, our coffee shops, and our steak sandwiches (you may know these by the touristy nomenclature, “Philly Cheese Steak”, but that is not what they are called) . And all this coming from a city who’s idea of the pinnacle of culinary excellence is the “Jumbo Slice” (that is really what they call them); a full 1/4 of a large pizza on a paper plate eaten while walking down the sidewalk past Madam’s Organ.
DC Baristas have always been OK in my book. I have always looked upon them with much admiration and in some cases, reverence. But this video that they have issued as some sort of shot across the bow, well, that just stoops to a level of maturity that I thought I got away from once I started high school. But I want them, and everyone, to know, that we can stoop much, much lower. If that’s what it takes…. to kick their ass.
Sorry for no coverage of last month’s event at La Colombe, lack of human resources. But trust me when I tell you that not only was it one of the hottest TNTs ever, it was also one of the Hawttest TNTs. Sweltering temps kept the crowd size down a bit (50-60 attendees instead of 70-80), but those who made it out were all greatly impressed by the fantastically designed and built Dilworth location. Check the flickr soon for the few photos we managed to pop while sweating out Pure Black cold pressed coffee (some bottles seemed to have a healthy percentage of whiskey).
This month TNT gets back the one of our favorite venues, Chestnut Hill Coffee in Germantown (not to be confused with Chestnut Hill Cafe of Lancaster, PA, who’s owners and employees occasionally show up to our TNT).
We find ourselves still pondering what is the exact cause of our thunderous success. There seem to be many great things about the people and the city that have launched our once little TNT into the headlines and frontal lobes of the press and the people of our industry. In addition to the burgeoning and rapidly expanding coffee shop culture, the hosts (all spectacular cafes) have put out great food, quenching beer, and of course, fine latte art from the competitors. It has become increasingly difficult to get signed up as the 32 slots fill up in 10-20 minutes, and from now on we will be implementing a new policy:
YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE LIST, NO CALL IN COMPETITORS
Possibly the biggest reason for our great success is that all the Baristas, the shops, the roasters, and the spectators feel a great sense of community and togetherness. There has developed a tight sense of kinship, an alliance of effort, and a commonality between all the different companies and individuals. It is precisely for this reason that we feel certain of two things for the July Philly TNT.
1) Everyone will have blast again
2) Everyone will show the same enthusiasm and support for July’s host despite the controversies stirred up by some media outlets
To do otherwise would be a sore embarrassment to the strongest and fastest growing reputation in North American specialty coffee.
They’ve said it before and they just keep on sayin’ it…Philadelphia TNT is the best there is, coast to coast! This month’s throwdown at the sleek OCF coffee house at 18th and South streets was, as usual: packed to the gills, a fierce competition, and an excellent time overall. The brackets were full early on (cut off wast at 7:10 pm), with many eager baristas shut out of competition due to the 32-spot limit! Gotta get there early, folks! Competitors and friends toasted with kegs of Yards beer and chowed on pizza.
Special appearances by our good friends Terry Z of espressoparts.com, Jordan from sprudge, Mike D from Dallis Coffee, and the gang from SquareOne over in Lancaster (check out Lancaster TNT) made the night unforgettable! There was also a representative from The Cappuccino Connection, and Debbie Dolan of Performance Food Centers (she is one of the only BGA certified Baristas in the North East!). Thanks for stopping by in our fair city of brotherly coffee love…
MilkBoy Coffee’s Erika Lee Vonie took home the prize pot and the glory, but superb pours were seen from all who competed. Check out the visuals, y’all!!
Erika Lee Vonie, June's Champion
The crowd watches the action projected on the wall (look for live streaming in the future!)
Mitch of the OCF Coffee House prepare early and prepares well
June TNT will be at OCF Coffee House. Never doubt the Green Wall!
We have achieved a little recognition from national media outlets like the well respected New York Times and the semi tongue-n-cheek but truth minded mouth piece of specialty coffee, Spurdge.
We would like to think that the reasons for the attention are obvious: great Philadelphia coffee, great Philadelphia people. Our little monthly shinndig is regularly a destination event for world class Baristas from neighboring coffee scenes in Wilmington DE, Lancaster PA, Washington DC and NYC. But why has ours become the destination? Why are these out-of-towners so ready to truck in from 2 hours away on a weekday night? Because we throw a party like no other? Maybe, but we remember how the humble beginnings were lowly attended and somewhat quiet evenings among close friends.
Last night’s TNT, hosted by Bodhi Coffee, included panfulls of pulled pork and mac-n-cheese, crock pots of rice with chicken, and a full sized keg of Kenzinger. The crowd even sang the Birthday Song for Bodhi’s 1 year anniversary. A hot and muggy night did not keep away the crowds, who packed in and spilled way out on the sidewalk with food and beverages. Mister Mike Jones, of Third Rail Coffee in NYC, took home the prize money, stealing it away from our local Elixr manager Brian Hunsinger. (Note to local Baristas: you ganna keep letting NY win this or what?). Our photo device ran short of electrical demands, so bare with us as we wait for helpful coffee friends to email photos of the event.
The first 5 or 6 months of TNTs consisted of one case of beer, of which there was usually a six pack left over at the end of the evening. We must pay homage toLovers and Madmen for agreeing to host those several original events, seeing us through our infancy. Of the sudden, several other coffee shops asked if they could host, and the schedule soon became booked a year out. Shops wait for months and months for their opportunity to raise the bar, like Chestnut Hill putting out the first great spread of food, Town Hall’s karaoke night, Spruce Street’s Mid Atlantic Barista Mom (Betty Ortiz) connecting Aida Battle, coffee producer in El Salvador, via skype to judge the Halloween costume party edition. Every other host, Ultimo Coffee, Shot Tower, Elixr, have all had equally bombastic events. In the months to come are some 2d time hosts, looking to outdo their last show, and some other hotly awaited first timers. Milkboy’s soon to open Center City location, at 11th and Chestnut, will show off their full coffee, food, music, and liquor bar. And do not miss the greatly anticipated TNT at La Colombe‘s flagship store with their twin Syneso Cyncra machines later in the year.
Whatever the variables may be that came together to make our winning formula, the fact is that of all the monthly coffee and Barista events in North America, the Philadelphia TNT is, without a doubt, the hottest, biggest, foodiest, and most drinky event there is.
March TNT was held last Thursday at Newbold’s gem: Ultimo/Brew. This coffee bar and specialty beer distributor is totally a darling of the Philly coffee scene, and they were stellar hosts (as usual,) serving up a variety of beers from their cases and some tasty snacks from their neighbors the South Philly Tap Room.
It’s becoming par the course that those who don’t arrive right at 7 pm will get shut out of competition, and this event was certainly packed! One barista who arrived shortly after 7 said that she had to literally fight for a spot on the brackets, which were filled almost instantly with 32 names. TALK ABOUT MARCH MADNESS!!!
The competition got down and dirty around 8, with special appearances from NY and DC friends, and of course all the Philly regulars. One change in the game included a “choose-your-own-cup” rule, allowing baristas to pick from latte, cappuccino, or macchiato sized bowls to pour into. Fierce!!
The competition was stiff as always, and we saw a lot of gorgeous pours. Ultimate-ly (HA!), the medallion went to Aaron McGarvey of the Gryphon Cafe in Wayne, PA. Congrats, dude! Proceeds from this month’s throwdown were donated to Japan disaster relief, because charitable is just how Philly coffee folks roll. A great time had by all! See you next month at Elixr! Stay Tuned for deets!!
For such a crappy month, weather-wise, February was certainly a good month for TNT Philly style. The usual suspects (and some special guests!) gathered at 6th and Christian at the brand spankin’ new Shot Tower Coffee, where the kickass owners and staff had set up a delicious hoagie feast, pizza, and brews (beer AND coffee!) The place was packed in a flash, and the brackets filled to 32 competitors as the crowd thickened up.
Special appearances this month were made by Philip Search of Dallis Bros Coffee, David Waltman of Rojo Roastery, and Mr. Fox of Naked Philly!!
Baristas came from as far as Lancaster (at least 7 of them, representing two coffee shops, Chestnut Hill Cafe, and Square One, as well as baristas from the Cupboard.)
We also had baristas from NYC, including the winner Sam from World Bean!!
And, of course, the locals. We had regulars out from One Shot, Elixir, Ultimo, Spruce Street, Town Hall, Chestnut Hill Coffee, Milkboy, and La Colombe!!
Thanks to everyone who came out, and especially to the gang at Shot Tower for hosting. Congratulations on christening your new shop with a rockin’ TNT! See you next month!
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