A Grade: Devoción Coffee | The Craft Beer Diaries

[Full podcast episode here!]

Specialty coffee comes in many varieties, but one pretty standard expectation is the fact that you pretty much have to wait at least several months between when a bean is harvested and when it ends up in your cup as steaming, caffeinated goodness.

But is there a way to complete this process in a shorter timeframe? At Devoción Coffee in Brooklyn, New York, the answer is an emphatic “yes”.

Founded on the premise to provide the freshest coffee possible, Devoción has refined a specialized sourcing and shipping process that reduces the whole coffee refining timeline down to as little as ten days. Just as unique is the interior of this large space. High skylights, a green “plant wall”, and smooth brown furniture; this place stands out as impressively big and comfortable for an otherwise crowded city area.

But how does the coffee stack up to other roasters given their specific vibes?

One important detail to note is that Devoción is a dedicated roaster of Colombian coffee. These beans are often characterized by their distinctly malty, chocolatey, or otherwise toasty vibes.

No doubt, Devoción has thought through their coffee process as much as any roaster out there — even going as far as to identify the specific farm where they source their beans.

But how does the final product actually taste?

Jackie’s Drink

Always a fan of a well-balanced, quality latte; Devoción doesn’t disappoint-except in one regard: flavorings. Granted the oat milk latte was plenty tasty on its own, but the lack of further adjunct options like syrup, honey, or lavender may leave some latte fans craving a bit more pizzazz in their cup.

There’s definitely something to be said for going a more “clean” route in relation to other coffee spots that sometimes use sweeteners to mask imperfections in their beans. But just as many roasters we’ve been to seem to offer the best of both worlds in this regard. Still, if you’re looking for a solid drink blooming with plenty of freshness, Devoción is a great choice!

Joe’s Drink

If you’re hankering for a pour over brew, Devoción certainly offers a unique final experience that’s up there with many better roasters. The fact that their beans are sourced so fresh means that you’re unlikely to find many coffee experiences compared to here.

Especially if you’re a fan of Colombian coffee, this brew won’t disappoint. Admittedly, it could perhaps be “dialed in” a bit more towards perfection. But Colombian beans are distinct enough to make their case for quality beans regardless.

The lack of options and other limitations did stand out, however (see full podcast episode for details!). Again, the one-of-a-kind vibe here is potentially encouraging enough to warrant a revisit to see what new bean choices might be available on another day.

So what else did we think about Devoción’s mood? Their food? The bathrooms? What is our final “A” through “F” letter grade? Search for “A Grade” wherever you listen to podcasts or click the link below to find out!

[Full podcast episode here!]

Originally published at https://thecraftbeerdiaries.com on December 7, 2021.