Today’s journey takes us to A&E Coffee in Manchester New Hampshire. There are 2 locations. The first in Amherst is a cafe + roastery. This is just a cafe.
I had half an hour to try a few things before meeting some friends so I ordered the Pour-over (they recommended a Kenyan blend) and a double espresso shot. Heather had a blueberry muffin and Chai Tea Latte. Everything was very well crafted!
Espresso:
They measured things a little strange but they make way more espresso than me so i won’t challenge this. The shot pulled well and the mouthfeel was spot on. Probably the best espresso shot I’ve had in a while in mouthfeel and overall thickness. However, the taste was acidic, vegetable and old chocolate. I don’t think the beans were old, just a strange blend. 6/10
Pour-Over:
this was exceptional. Brew time was as expected (3-4 minutes) for a 16 ounce cup. No acidity, absolutely zero off-flavors and had this dark chocolate taste to it. I’m not some expert taster but I was really impressed. I want to go back and buy some of their beans, at least some of the Kenyan before this batch runs out. Rarely is a pour-over life changing but these guys did a fantastic job 10/10
Chai Tea Latte:
They used loose-leaf tea and set a timer using an hour-glass. Then steamed almond milk and the consistency of the steam was perfect. I’m not into these but my GF and I both recognized how delicious it was. The pastry she had was also moist and bursting with flavor. 8/10
It’s a shame I live so far north of this cafe. If I was local, it may challenge my @ home brewing ritual. I’d highly recommend any Coffee lovers in southern New Hampshire checking it out.
