Counter Culture Coffee

I have been to Counter Culture for classes, but I have never been to the Friday morning cuppings (9am, every Friday of the year, pour over only afaik). This is NOT a coffeeshop: it’s a training center for teaching baristas and coffee enthusiasts. As such, it’s not really open to the public to visit unless you are there for a class or for the Friday cupping, which is completely open to the public but is only during that limited time period.
Counter Culture is located in what seems to be a mixed residential and commercial property. They don’t have a sign on the building. To get in, you have to thumb through the names in the call box located outside the glass doors. When facing the property, the entrance is all the way to the right and is very unassuming. The first time I visited I didn’t believe I was in the correct location, which is why I am going into detail here.
The DC Training Center is a quick elevator ride up. It has lots of light, but not really a view (just other buildings) so they usually keep semi translucent shades drawn, which provides a nice warm light. The space is white walls, earthy toned woods, several large plants, a few Ikea tables and chairs, and some countertops adorned with some of the fanciest espresso equipment you will find. On my visits they have had a La Marzocco Linea and a Nuova Simonelli (not sure of the model). They also have several high end grinders, including a Mazzer Major, K30, Robur, a NS Mythos. There is a La Marzocco Strada (I think) that has been unused on my visits. For better or worse, one of my favorite things here is the filtered water tap at the sink – some of the tastiest, softest water I have ever had. The coffee is great, but omg the water is actually amazing, too. Anyway, in addition to the equipment I’m naming above, they have countless other coffee gadgets and probably other duplicates or additional equipment hanging around. This is a coffee lovers dream!
When you arrive for class, everyone sits around the long tables in front of a projector. It’s usually pretty awkward because nobody knows each other, but eventually people start talking and you can always find something in common over coffee. At one class some pour over was provided (Beginner Espresso) at the start, and at my other class (Intermediate Espresso Tasting) it was not.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the classes. Andrew and Alex were the class leaders and they really know their stuff, present it in an easy to understand way, and are excellent at relating to everyone. I really respect their knowledge and opinions about coffee and wish I could find an excuse to attend more classes with them. On each instance of class ending, I am always sad to leave.
If you are even remotely interested in learning more about coffee or espresso, I strongly recommend you sign up for a CCC class or at least attend one of their Friday cuppings. It is truly a special, meaningful experience that will allow you to really get an in depth knowledge of how to make a good cup of coffee. You can’t get the opportunity to attend these classes just anywhere, so consider it a unique opportunity.

Thank you Alex!
OK folks, wanna get into coffee? This is the place to go. Grab your thesaurus and bring some adjectives. Every Friday 10AM (buzz up 202).
It’s time to cup coffee with Alex at Counter Culture. What does that mean?
He’ll tell get you to tell the difference between Aroma, Flavor, Body, Finish. You’ll be able to tell the altitude the beans were grown at by the end of the session… OK your ninja taste buds (like mine) might need some training yet. But this was a great way to dig deeper into the coffee world. What better way to spend a Friday morning than in a super chill loft space with free coffee?

Join Alex for a Friday cupping– it’s free, informative and lots of fun. Very inviting atmosphere tucked away in a nice neighborhood. And they serve killer coffee–

My best friend calls me a hobbyist. I have overcome the somewhat derogatory implication of the term by embracing it — I am on a determined path to learn as much as I can about things that strike my fancy: photography, baking, crafting… and now coffee.
Fortunately for me Counter Culture Coffee has a training facility where they offer training classes (free!) on the art of espresso, no barista inclinations needed. I signed up via CCC’s website and took a day off from work to spend six hours in barista heaven. A small group of dedicated espresso drinkers worked our way through a brief history of espresso, how to pull the perfect shot (and what it tastes like), milk frothing skills, and even how to clean one of the $ 14,000 La Marzocca espresso machines that’s now at the top of my «if-​i-​were-​a-​millionaire» wishlist. My class was taught by Darryn, the NY-​PA-​DC sales rep and Counter Culture’s first employee, who was a crazy font of knowledge. Alex, the DC-​based rep, was on also hand and equally friendly.
The CCC training space is amazing — two full-​size espresso machines and an array of other coffee machines in a well-​lit, modern setting. Equipment aside, the space was by far nicer than most apartments I’ve seen!
I’m now on the hunt for a barista job as, sans espresso machine, I’m dying to put my hobbyist skills to work (plus, they won’t let me take the Intermediate Espresso lab without proper real-​barista skills). In the meantime I’ll be scheming for ways to attend the Friday 10am coffee «cuppings» to expand my coffee repertoire. You should, too.

Raleigh, NC-​based Counter Culture Coffee has a lab set up in this outpost just off Adams-Morgan’s 18^th St. Coffee tastings are given Fridays at 10 AM, open to the public and free of charge. The timing is inconvenient, but this is a good way to learn more about their high-​quality coffee (fair trade, etc). Training classes are also offered but you need to sign up in advance on their website. Have only been there once for a «cupping,» as they call it, but I will certainly be going back again soon.