passthru

As a Starbucks hater, I have many obvious (to me) negative reactions to this.

I have to wonder just how many people will go to Starbucks today. It would actually be cheaper to make it at home, unless you happen to work or live within walking distance. In case anybody's unaware, it only takes $30-$40 to invest in a really fancy top of the line French press. And the coffee produced by that and the massive expense of heating some water is way the hell better.
Nearly everybody who falls for free tree saving Starbucks "coffee" day will be using up gas to take away some money from their wallet and breathable air from the environment.

Breathable air.. isn't that what those trees are for?

Idyllic

I will I will !!!!!!! Thanks for the update, I love me a good cup of Starbucks Joe...... and free to boot. Ah..... Sumatra, Espresso, French Roast...... I make it at home also, every single day. I have been drinking coffee since I was 7 years old, had a coffee maker in my bedroom by 10th grade. LOVE COFFEE

There will be coffee, always. At least Starbucks is trying to bring awareness to the snobs. Every little bit counts, whereas mass marketed folgers quietly deforests more land for mediocre mega cans of pre-ground bitterland, Hola Juan Valdes, although he does drive a donkey, guess that's better than an SUV.

I'm coming mermaid, cup in hand, brew me an Americana, I'll pass on Pikes 7/11 Place, ewwww.

---------- Post added at 07:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 AM ----------

O.K. I'll plant a tree today, maybe a Japaneses Maple, with leaves the color of a robust and dense ruddy Sumatra, and toasty good. Ah, Coffee.

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you can tell them all you want but it won't matter until they think it does

p.s. I contradict my contradictions, with or without intention, sometimes.

Leto

I received a Starbucks card as a prize (it had $10 on it) and rather enjoyed popping across the street for a quick "short Bold" every once in a while. Meanwhile at work, we have been provided with free A.L. van Houtte coffee just to stem the tide of employees crossing the street to go to Tim Horton's (and now Starbucks as well). I like the free offering as well, but there's something about the Starbucks French Roast that I like.

I purchased a passable French press for $14 a couple of years ago. It still performs a yeoman's effort in preparing my home brew.

Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Red Wine, Sea Bass, rare Striploin steak, Hockey, Poutine and Librarians.

Some constants in life are immutable.

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You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

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passthru

I received a $25 Starbucks card so I went a few times. None of their employees know how to operate the espresso machine ;p

wooÐs

I adore Starbucks' brews and it's the brand I prefer over others.

I won't be driving over for a cup since I brew the stuff at home. But for folks who normally stop by Starbucks daily for their coffee, it'd be a nice little break for them to pick up a free cup. I'm not so sure too many would drive out of their way for one though. But if they do, I'm sure they'll consider it a nice treat.

Xerxys

They've been doing this here in NC all over. I just had breakfast at McD's because I wanted the free buscuit.

CandleInTheDark

What's with all this driving? Within a 20 minute walk, there are 6 Starbucks locations. I guess if you live in the 'Burbs...

My personal recommendation is to always buy a french press with a metal, spring-loaded filter and glass container. Never settle for anything less, or at the very least, make sure the spout has it's on strainer.

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uncle phil

starbucks has the worst-tasting fucking coffee i have ever had the displeasure to move through my lips...

i could care less what they do...

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We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
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you both get dirty;
the pig likes it.

Grancey

You don't have to brag about it.

We went/drove 15 minutes. Red got his fix.

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FoolThemAll

Can't say I've been extremely adventurous, but of the 10+ places I've gone for coffee, Starbucks has been the best. Other places might've had better espresso or lattes or whatever, but Starbucks has been king of the drip coffee.

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Leto

I suppose it's a matter of taste. I find their coffee to be quite strong tasting. Which I like. The other coffee chains provide similar brews, but the largest chain of all (Tim Hortons) sells a mild flavoured coffee. It is wildly popular, and I do drink it. It just isn't what I prefer. Starbucks (and Second Cup, Timothy's etc) all seem to make a drip brew that has more body and a stronger, bolder taste.

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

passthru

Where do you live that Starbucks isn't the most common? I had never heard of Tim Hortons until this thread.

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever had coffee at Starbucks, only espresso-based drinks that aren't filled with sugar and frosting. So if it's drip coffee it's probably impossible for them to burn

Baraka_Guru

I didn't get a free coffee. I'm trying to stay away from the stuff.

Starbucks is overroasted and heavily brewed. It's not for everyone. You must like really strong and generally burnt coffee.

And as far as Tim Hortons is concerned, it's as pervasive in Canadian culture as, say, apple pie in America. "Timmy's" usually goes hand in hand with travelling across the country and early mornings of hockey.

Some insights on travelling in Canada, Tim Hortons, and Starbucks:

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FoolThemAll

No, that's the thing, I find overroasted and burnt coffee at OTHER 'better' places. Strong, sure, as I prefer it. Maybe the starbucks in my neck of Seattle are better?

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I wonder if we're stuck in Rome.

Leto

Yes, I agree, I don't find the Starbuck's coffee to be burnt at all. It's usually well and richly roasted. they way I would do it at home. Compared to the milder roasts of some other chains, it may taste burnt. I have found Starbucks to be consistant.

Passthru, Tim Horton's is a popular doughnut chain, founded by the iconic (because of the chain?) hockey player by the same name. From Wikipedia:

Myles Gilbert "Tim" Horton (January 12, 1930 – February 21, 1974) was a Canadian professional hockey defenceman. He played in 24 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He was also a businessman and a co-founder of Tim Hortons, now Canada's largest restaurant chain. He died in an automobile crash in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1974 at the age of 44

Tim's is all over Canada, and is North America's 4th largest publicly traded restaurant company, with 'emerging regional presence in the USA', Tim Horton's commands a 40% share of quick service restaurant traffic in Canada.

US Linky:
Tim Hortons

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

Gina_

I too don't find Starbucks burnt tasting in the least. It's just lovely strong coffee and yes, very consistent. I brew it at home since I can buy it at the market and I can't tell the difference between one bag and the next.

I've tried other brands of other specialty coffees at several baristas around town and some of those are quite charry (for lack of a real word), but I have yet to get a bad cup of coffee at Starbucks.