When you walk into a Boyds Coffee shop, you're greeted by name. Now, this is nothing new for the service industry, but the sincerity in the greet is authentic. The baristas at Boyds aren't wooing you for tips or compliments, they actually enjoy their jobs. And with the coffee selection Boyds offers, why wouldn't they?
Boyds wasn't always a large company. In fact, it started out with the founder peddling wares around downtown Portland with his horse-drawn wagon in the early 1900's. His focus on family, quality and passion for coffee turned his small business into a large company.
"We have a very family-oriented atmosphere, which has been a big focus for us ever since the company first started a century ago," said Retail Division Manager Valerie Harvey.
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With three Portland retail locations and its roots firmly set in Portland, it is no wonder why they offer a roast named Rip City Coffee.
Taste Test - Rip City Coffee
When the Portland Trail Blazers' play-by-play announcer Bill Schonely shouted "Rip City! All right!" in 1971, he was referring to then team's guard Jim Barnett taking an ill-advised long distance shot that went in, giving them new hope to beat the "mighty" Lakers.
Fast forward several years and Boyds Coffee has taken a move straight out of Mr. Barnett's playbook. However, this time it was definitely not ill-advised. Boyds, with more than 100 years of experience, knew exactly what they were doing when they introduced the 100 percent organic Rip City Coffee, which is Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Now, I must admit, I'm a big fan of full-bodied darker roasts. And even though I was reassured by old school veteran baristas Jayme Gantz and Meagan Turvey that I would be pleasantly surprised, I still had my doubts about how much flavor Rip City could pack.
To say the least, I was more than pleasantly surprised.
There is no denying the medium-roast coffee has a flavor intensity that rivals most darker roasts, yet finishes softly and leaves you wanting more.
Boyds Rip City Coffee maybe the most underrated coffee in the city.
Grab a cup at one of their three Portland coffee shops:
- Pearl District: 404 NW 11th Ave; 503-226-2590 - Free Wi-Fi
- Cultural District (Eliot Tower): 1229 SW 10th Ave; 503-241-4226 - Free Wi-Fi
- Roastery Store: 19730 NE Sandy Blvd; 503-666-4561
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