I’ve recently noticed that specialty coffee has a few things in common with the filmmaking industry, which has a noticeable presence here in NYC.
Like filmmaking, producing specialty coffee requires many hours of research and labor that generally involve a lot of hands at various stages of its lifecycle. There’s also an enormous amount of craft. And artistry if we’re lucky enough to get someone to helm the process with a clear vision from start to finish. An auteur if you will.
I was reminded of this while getting to know Scott Price, a veteran of the coffee industry who founded Brooklyn-based Anomalous Coffee Roasters. Known for releasing one coffee per month directly to consumers. With each coffee being distinctly different from the previous one.
The comparison to film is especially relevant here, as Scott has also worked as an actor and director in NYC. If you’ve ever seen the 2017 Lynne Ramsay feature You Were Never Really Here, he shares the screen opposite Joaquin Phoenix in a scene that’s difficult to forget.
And it’s that creative drive that perhaps distinguishes Anomalous from everything else. If you’re curious, Scott landed on the name ‘Anomalous’ to delineate coffees from every other coffee that he’s been exposed to. Namely, rare and exotic coffees that clearly depart from the norm.
Scott Price of Anomalous Coffee Roasters
He founded Anomalous in the summer of 2020. When the pandemic shut down productions in the film industry and compelled Scott to dedicate himself full-time to coffee. And it was at that same time that Scott took over the roasting operations at MUD Coffee in NYC.
He had worked in various coffee jobs (barista, trainer, manager) since the late 90s when he became fond of the industry, but it wasn’t until this recent time frame that things started to click for him.
He explains, “Within weeks, I found that my whole equilibrium had shifted. I breathed in new life. And started to feel about coffee again like at the beginning. Especially the green buying experience, interacting with producers and importers. The seeking of new coffees and cupping of coffees that I never get tired of.”
Scott experienced a pivotal moment when he sampled a gesha from Gesha Village (back when it didn’t quite have the same reputation) that ultimately propelled him to found Anomalous, and pursue a true vision for specialty coffee.
He describes Anomalous as a touchstone for considering any coffee. To ask whether a coffee deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. He adds, “There are plenty of coffees out there, but is it Anomalous?”
The question may be simple on the surface, but it’s one that demands enough time and attention to push Anomalous towards a purely qualitative direction. Like an independent feature that’s highly personalized and designed for an arthouse audience. Less driven by volume and mass distribution.
Scott is thinking through the ways in which he can expand Anomalous without straying from its core philosophy – which is what enables him to deliver a fully realized product to his customers. At the same time, he jokes that opening a café to serve iced oat lattes and batches of cold brew probably won’t be part of this equation.
And while that remains the case today, I sense that Scott’s narrative has a Part 2 set for release in the future. Maybe even a Part 3 to make it a proper trilogy. Just don’t call it a sequel when it comes out. We know how those play out.
FADE TO BLACK.
Today we’re pleased to offer DROP 3 featuring Anomalous Coffee Roasters. An exclusive early release of their Finca Las Nubes. With a special 15% discount for our subscribers.
Harvested at 25 degrees Brix, anaerobically-fermented for 100 hours, and then dried on raised beds for 30 days. This Pink Bourbon taps into the experimental processing techniques that Colombian producer Claudia Samboni is recognized for.
The result is a complex constellation of semi-sweet fruit and elongated acidity. That progresses beyond the varietal's known characteristics.
Fittingly, Scott calls this one a “heart-breaker.” Like an engrossing movie that’s a little heart-breaking (and bittersweet) when it’s over.
Anomalous will roast the first of three batches on Friday, June 16. Coffee ships within 2 business days.
Shipping: $5 Flat Rate
MORE COFFEES
Supernatural by Superlost (free shipping)
Kossa Geshe Natural by Unity Coffee
Of Land & Women Blend by Kula Coffee
Nyamasheke by Kula Coffee
Kayonza by Kula Coffee
Tolima, Colombia Medium Roast by Others Coffee
Ambition Blend by No Sleep Roastery
Ethiopia Belayneh Bariso by Elm Coffee Roasters (free shipping)
Arches - Colombia Natural by Park Pass Coffee
La Favorita by Good Citizen Coffee Co.
Rocky Mountain Blend by Park Pass Coffee
EVENTS
Atlanta
Let’s Talk About Tea with Sean (free)
Rev Coffee Roasters, 1680-B Spring Rd, Smyrna, GA
Thursday, June 15 (7 - 8pm)
Summer Cold Brew Coffee Beverage DIY (tickets $30)
Belux Coffee Roasters, 5430 McGinnis Ferry Road Suite 101B, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, June 17 (1:30pm)
Matcha Demonstration with Sean (free)
Rev Coffee Roasters, 1680-B Spring Rd, Smyrna, GA
Thursday, June 22 (7 - 8pm)
NYC
Hard to Explain, 224 East 10th Street
Saturday, June 17 (9am - 2pm)
Coffee Cupping with Nikolai - Part 4 (free; donations encouraged)
Principles GI Coffee House, 139 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, June 18 (11am - 12:30pm)
Local Coffee Roaster Showcase (free)
Sultan Room, 234 Starr St, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, June 18 (12 - 3pm)
Cafe Tio Conejo and Pure Happiness Coffee (free; donations encouraged)
Loveless Coffees, 86 Central Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Thursday, June 22 (11am - 12:30pm)
Do you have an upcoming coffee event in any of these cities? If you do, reply back to this email and let me know! We're aiming to connect our readers to events happening in cities across the country. Tastings, latte art throwdowns, coffee shop openings. And other events that promote specialty coffee and provide opportunities for learning.
Would love to help all of you connect with each other through future newsletters. So reach out and let me know what you're working on!
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