Louisville is a city that was built by the craft beverage industry. In another era, its location on the Ohio River made it the primary port for shipping bourbon across America. Recently it’s seen the burgeoning growth of a craft coffee community, featuring a slew of latte art throw downs, eccentric home roasters, and even the premier of a comic short film about barista culture. But perhaps the coffee community’s biggest step forward is a new concept espresso bar in the heart of downtown.
Sunergos Coffee has been a central figure in the Louisville specialty coffee industry since 2004, but with the opening of their third location they wanted to try something new: a store built around a small espresso menu and a Slayer Espresso Machine — Kentucky’s first. Customers have the choice of the classic Sunergos espresso blend or 2 different seasonal, single origin espressos. Each espresso has a designated Compak K10 Fresh grinder and customized parameters for the Slayer. Barista Kenny Smith explained that although customers can order a filter coffee made with a Fetco autodrip, baristas will recommend customers try an Americano to keep the focus on espresso. It’s a bold concept for a store in the heart of Louisville’s business district, featuring a corporate clientele that notoriously only drinks drip coffee and wants it immediately. Still, Sunergos is optimistic that quality coffee and great service will win customer loyalty.
When I visited on opening day, I had a shot of the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Heirloom varietal espresso, which was fruity with a very high acidity. It’s an incredible coffee, but the acidity all but disappears in milk, so I think the Guatemala Antigua is better suited for a cappuccino or latte. There’s no seating, but you can knock back your espresso or cappuccino at the bar or get an 12 oz. iced latte to go and check out 21C, the Louisville Slugger Factory, or the Muhammad Ali Center — all within walking distance.
Hours Of Operation (as of April 29th, 2013)
Monday: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 6:30 am – 5:00 pm
Pumped about this blog! Didn’t know it was in the works but I’m glad its out now. Great start! Passionate about the art of coffee.
Jeremy, thanks man! We’re pumped to be writing about things we love.
People who love coffee are living own the edge…in that by contrast the efforts of their craft beer & wine brethren are complete and offered to the consumer in their peak state. Coffee on the other hand can be sublime in terms of bean provenance, roasting, and grind…only to be corrupted/compromised by inept brewing…..talk about the existentialist challenge !