We are excited to announce the release of three fantastic microlots being brewed at Joe beginning September 1st. This coffee release is unlike any we've done before in that you'll find different coffees at each store. Travel around the city (or to Philly!), fill out your microlot passport punch card, and receive a free drink of your choice! (Cards are available on the counter at each location.)

Each Microlot Monday (and Saturday), one of these coffees will be available as a featured brew at each Joe location. Check the brew schedules below, or keep an eye on our Facebook or Twitter feeds, to find out how to tour all three of these truly special coffees (and of course…finish your card.)

The term microlot is one given to a small amount of coffee that is of superior quality and has been reserved out of the larger harvest by the farmer. It could be that a microlot is a small section of one farm that yields a particularly special or distinct flavor so the farmer chooses to take special care in harvest and processing. Due to the microlot's higher quality and the care taken in it's processing, buyers tend to pay a premium for these lots.

Each of these three coffees came to us separately and each lot consists of just a few bags. For that reason, we decided to do limited releases by offering each coffee at a few locations rather than offer all of them at every Joe. Confused? Below is information about each coffee and where you can find them!

Finca Grapos produced Ed's favorite coffee from his trip to Mexico earlier this year. Ed says, "Finca Grapos jumped off the cupping table for me. I couldn’t believe it was a Mexican coffee. It reminded me more of an Ethiopian coffee more than anything I had tasted in Mexico. This is due to the varieties. The two varieties that make up this lot are H17 and H19 which are hybrids of Ethiopian heirloom varieties and traditional varieties grown in Mexico. These varieties have achieved the delicate balance between disease resistance and amazing cup quality; a very difficult feat."​

Mexico Finca Grapos is brewing at: Grand Central Terminal, Chestnut, Upper East Side

The Red Catuai from San Jose was one of three coffees Ed and I loved and purchased from the Mierisch family on our trip to Nicaragua. San Jose is the most picturesque of the Mierisch farms and the coffees from here impress us year after year. The farm is lush with shade trees and overlooks the beautiful Lake Apanas. We love the variety of varietals that San Jose produces and the amazing sweetness we find in these coffees keeps us coming back.

Nicaragua Finca San Jose is brewing at: Rittenhouse, 13th, Columbia

The Red Catuai from Los Altos (also a Mierisch farm) came to us in the family's Los Favoritos auction. Throughout harvest they select their favorite lots to be sold via an online auction and buyers are able to cup all of these coffees together and then bid on their favorites. This was my third trip to Los Altos and I am always amazed at how the farms change year after year. The Mierish family is tireless in their pursuit of quality and are always looking for ways to improve their coffee with each harvest.

Los Altos Red Catuai is brewing at: Upper West Side, Joe Pro, Waverly, Chelsea

If you don't see the coffee you're expecting on Monday or Saturday, ask your Joe barista to direct you! And don't forget to get your passport card punched!