Brew Guides

Filter Pot:

  • Adjust dose or grind size to optimize flavor. All changes should be based on how you like your coffee.
  • Dose: Coffee should always be weighed to account for various roast degrees and bean sizes. Base the amount of coffee used per batch on your ideal water:coffee weight ratio. I recommend starting at 17 and moving up or down by 1 based on taste. A digital kitchen scale is required.
    • e.g. A 17:1 water to coffee ratio is desired. You fill the carafe to the 8 cup line on a tared kitchen scale and it weighs 1190g, so your coffee dose should be 70g. Weigh 70g of coffee and grind if needed.
  • Grind size: A medium-coarse grind is desired for filter pot coffee. This may change if the filter is conical or flat bottomed. If the coffee tastes weaker than it should or lacking flavor, try a finer grind. If the coffee tastes too bitter and/or the filter is overflowing or having trouble draining, then grind coarser.
    • Adjust grind size before changing the dose

Hario V60 Pour-Over- Based on James Hoffmann Method:

  • Heat water to boiling in gooseneck kettle
  • Place paper filter in Hario and rinse with hot water
    • Try and get the filter to stick to the sides of the pour-over device without major creases
  • Rinse carafe or coffee cup that is under the Hario with hot water
  • Place Hario on top of carafe or cup and place on a kitchen scale and tare the weight
  • Weigh and grind desired dose of coffee (e.g., 20g) using a medium-fine grind
    • Grind size should be the main variable to adjust to dial-in this method
  • Put the coffee grounds in the pour-over apparatus, note the coffee weight, and tare the scale
  • Determine desired brew strength. This is often expressed as a ratio of water weight to coffee weight. A good starting point is a 15:1 ratio (e.g., for 20g of coffee, we will shoot for finished brew weight of 15x20g=300g of water added.)
  • Take the water right off the boil and wait a couple of seconds to allow water to cool to ~210degF
  • Bloom: Start a timer and add 30-40g of water to the coffee grounds and gently swirl to saturate all of the grounds. Wait 30-45secs before moving to next step.
    • This phase is critical to allow excessive CO2 present in the beans to separate and allow proper extraction once additional water is added. This will result in a sweeter, less acidic cup.
    • The fresher the coffee is, the longer the bloom time should be.
  • First Pour: After 30-45sec of bloom, add water in circular motion until you reach 10x your starting dose (e.g., 200g) at about 1:15 total brew time
    • Begin pouring from the kettle starting in the center of the grounds in a circular motion and working your way to the outer edges. Once you reach the outer edges go back to the middle and repeat the process.
    • The flow rate should be steady to reach 10x starting dose at 1:15 total brew time
  • Second Pour: After 1:15, continue pouring water in circular motion until you reach desired brew strength (e.g., 300g) at a total brew time of 1:45
    • This pour is really just a continuation of the first pour, but at a different flowrate
  • Draw down: After reaching total water weight at 1:45, make one pass with a spoon scraping the sides of the pour-over device to loosen any grounds stuck to the side then gently swirl/vibrate the pour-over device and allow the remaining coffee to drip into your carafe/cup. The desired end time is 3:30 +/- about 10 secs
    • The purpose of the swirl is to try and flatten the bed of coffee so that it is not mound on top, but a flat surface to allow the water to evenly pass through the bed of coffee.
  • Adjustments: The first adjustment should be grind size to meet the time targets. If the brew takes much longer than 3:30, then grind coarser next time. If the brew time is too short, then grind finer next time. The second adjustment should be brew strength. Adjust this target to suit your taste. Of course, all adjustments should be based on taste.

AeroPress- David Wingo Method, Local Barista:

  • Install filter in AeroPress and rinse. Try and keep the filter flat.
  • Add 16g of finely ground coffee to press with the filter installed.
    • Grind size should be fine. Somewhere in between a pour-over and espresso.
  • Bloom: Add 30-40g of water at 203degF and swirl/stir the grounds. Allow to sit for 30-45sec.
  • Pour: Add additional water until you reach total water weight of 220g
  • Soak: Place plunger on top and allow coffee to sit for 1min
  • Press: After 1 min, press into cup until you hear air being released

Frequently asked questions

What are your shipping options?

We offer $5 flat rate shipping within the US for all orders under $50. Orders over $50 qualify for free shipping. No coupon code is necessary to redeem free shipping.

Orders may be shipped via USPS, UPS, Fedex, or DHL.

We offer free local delivery for residents of the 29609 and 29601 (Greenville, SC) zip code. If your shipping address qualifies, you will see this option during the checkout process.

Finally, we offer free local pick up every Thursday from 4-6pm at our 400 Birnie St location by appt only.

Orders will be shipped out within 2-3 days of roasting. See our roasting turnaround policy for more info.

Do I qualify for free local delivery?

I'm happy to offer free local delivery to all addresses in the 29609 and 29601 zip code. If your shipping address qualifies at checkout, you will automatically see this as an option, along with a time range of when to expect your delivery.

How does local pickup work?

Local pick-up is available by appointment only. I will contact you and coordinate a time. This option is for online orders placed in advance. I will notify you by email that your order is ready for pick-up, with exact access instructions. The location is 400 Birnie St, Greenville, SC 29611.

What's your roasting turnaround time?

I typically roast at the beginning of the week and then promptly ship. I ship as fresh as possible. If I have coffee already roasted, then I take into account the coffee type and how fast it ages and also how far the shipment is to ensure that your coffee drinking experience is perfect. I store coffee in airtight bins before shipping which slows the aging process. If you have any issues, just reach out to me alex@calibrationcoffeelab.com and I will take care of you.

As the business grows, I hope to be able to roast multiple times a week to provide more desirable order to receipt timing, but in the early stages this will allow me to fill out the roaster and produce less waste. After a shipping label is created, you will receive an email with a tracking number.

How long will my coffee stay fresh?

Wholebean coffee stored in airtight bags or vessels can hold flavor for about a month. It also depends on the specific coffee.

For example, some coffees when stored well may maintain fruit characteristics for 30 days where some more nuanced flavors may drop-off in another coffee in 2-3 weeks. 

Ground coffee is best used 1-2 weeks after roasting.

But if it still tastes good, drink it!

Do you have a return policy?

If you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact me at alex@calibrationcoffeelab.com and I'll take care of you.