January Newsletter -
 2014
   
 
 
The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company Registered Trademark
 
 
 
  
 
Coffee Philosophy 
 
Now I know that there are a lot more productive ways to start the new year than sittin' around putting out stuff that only makes sense to folks that are beyond smart...you know, like folks that just cannot help but tell us why we think the way we do...or simply study stuff to death.  Philosophy was a subject in the higher ed halls of learning that tended to drive me crazy...or, at least, uncovered the craziness that I was trying to hide from view.  With this disclaimer, let me now share a quote from the book, Coffee Philosophy for Everyone, Edited by Scott F. Parker and Michael W. Austin.
 
"...The virtuous coffee drinker is temperate in her coffee consumption.  She neither deprives herself of coffee's rich aroma and flavor nor chugs mug after mug just because it is there.  She drinks coffee for the sake of drinking coffee.  She does not drink it simply because doing so is trendy or because she wants a caffeine rush.  This is not to say that she cannot enjoy the stimulating feeling she gets as a part of the coffee experience, but there is a worthwhile distinction between drinking coffee and doing caffeine.  The virtuous coffee drinker has the right feeling when she drinks coffee.  She enjoys holding the warm cup in her hands, smelling the vibrant aroma, sipping the warm liquid, tasting the creamy, full-bodied flavor, and thinks this is the good life.
 
Naysayers may argue that I have merely described the one form of temperance, namely temperance with regard to drinking coffee.  But I am confident that the coffee lovers reading this chapter will agree that although temperance may be a cardinal virtue on which the relatively minor moral virtue javavity hinges, there is something special -  indeed, something excellent or virtuous - about the habit of coffee drinking.  It is with this excellence of coffee drinking in mind that we now take up the question of how coffee drinking is relevant to the life of human flourishing."
 
Now did I not warn you??  Well, if you can wade through all the high and mighty formations of wording here, what they have to say is pretty well spoken...kind of.  Bottom line, you really have to have a cup or mug of the coffee you appreciate to really understand this logic. 
 
How do you select that coffee?  That is a good question and one you have to answer on your own.  You see, you have to know the value you place on enjoyment of good coffee.  If, in fact, you are only looking for the pick up a cup of joe gives you in the a.m., then most any roast that is not totally burnt up will give you that boost.  If you are looking for a roast that has the taste you, as an individual, are going to enjoy most, then you have to keep tasting until you come upon the roast of your choice.
 
This could be one that others like...or it just may be one that you and a select few like...and that is ok!  That is why when folks come up to me and ask which of our roasts is my favorite, I usually either say, "Yes." or "All." or, "I simply do not know!"  All are honest answers, and all leave the door open for the person asking the question to determine their favorite without being influenced.
 
Believe me, I could tell you all about why brand x or brand y should not be considered when looking for a coffee, but, you know for you, just maybe, they should be considered.  Of course, The Alpaca Bean Coffees should be considered as well...don't you think? :o)
 
Later...
 
 
On A Personal Note......
 
Well here we are again...at the beginning...again.  Pretty neat, huh? 
 
 To begin this newletter's Personal Note segment, please forgive me for using a portion of our family newsletter...
 

Looking toward 2014 with excitement and wonder...looking back on 2013 with interest, some regret, and lots of happiness!!! That sums up our news for this year and we look forward to sending you an update in December 2014...

 

You just thought you were going to get off so easy! :o)  The alpaca farm folks have had a very interesting year and just cannot help but let you know bits and pieces of it! First, we began the year not too unlike the many previous years here just outside of Royston, Georgia. We had what has become a traditional New Year's Eve Celebration complete with fireworks and a great deal of anticipation of the upcoming New Year's feast with our small branch of the Speth and Dick family trees. Shortly after, we began going to events to promote our farm and our coffee company, The Alpaca Bean. It seems that we tended to attract SNOW wherever we ventured...first a blizzard in Concord, NC (yep, you heard that right). The snow got so heavy we could not see outside the building (thank the Lord this was a show that was enclosed). Next, we traveled to Sevierville, TN and you got it...more snow. Then on to Illinois in late April where it was in the 40's outside and the 30's inside, thought we had missed the snow for the first time, however, it began as we were packing up to return home and snowed on us all through most of the state. Finally, we went to Harrisburg, PA expecting more of the same and lo and behold it was sunny and bright throughout our stay!

We are attempting to emphasize the fiber side of our operation, while reducing our herd size of huacaya and slightly increasing our suri herd size. After, eleven years we are finally becoming wiser and looking even more to agritourism and the potential for developing a vineyard to bring more folks to the farm to purchase our alpaca goods, coffee and an occasional alpaca. We also will be looking at joining forces with a going honey operation to enhance their business and ours. Yep, we know that we are not tiptoeing through the tulips as lightly as we once did, but at our advanced age we still have a wee bit of zip in our steps...

The first weekend in December we held our first Holiday on the Farmevent for Royston, Hartwell, and surrounding communities. We had a great time with all that came to share our beautiful farm and take alpaca walking tours with Ms. Betty, and then grab a ride on the hay wagon with Santa and his jolly driver elf! Santa got a chance to guide the folks through the reason for the season, and the jolly elf played a joyful Christmas ditty for all to hear (we had a great Santa in the person of Phil and the jolly elf was none other than our other son-in-law, Rob). We also were honored to have our employee, Kevin, his wife and almost new born babe creating a live manger scene for all to view. Hot apple cider, cookies, coffee, and lemonade topped off the celebration as folks milled around roasting up s'mores.

 
       Our coffee company has given me the reason for developing this newsletter that arrives in your email somewhere around the first of each month.  It also has given Jude and I the opportunity to meet and re-greet  new and old friends alike.  Some of you we have never actually met in person...but we want you to know that we treasure your friendship just the same!  We hope as the years continue to go by, that you will find enjoyment from what we have to offer you, whether it be in the form of coffee and related products, in alpacas and their related products, or simply in the form of a warm hello and a hug or two when the time allows.
 
       So, let's take up our mugs of The Alpaca Bean Coffee, give them a tap, and begin dreaming...begin doing, begin something new and exciting together.  Together...doesn't that sound nice...2014, another opportunity to see our plans "come together".
  
Peace, 

The Coffeeman 
 
 
 
 
 


 

 

 

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Coffee Lovers and Friends,  

Judy and I are really enjoying having the opportunity to provide the best possible coffee for your enjoyment.  We also hope you will be able to visit us soon to experience the pleasure of drinking an outstanding mug of our Alpaca Bean Coffee while watching the little ones pronking all over the place!

George Dick
The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company, LLC 


 
The Alpaca Bean Coffee Co., LLC
466 Stone Lane
Canon, Georgia 30520