Seattle’s Best Post Alley: My Obsessive Search for the Holy Grail of Dark Roast Coffee
Okay, confession time: I’m a coffee snob. Not the kind who turns their nose up at instant coffee (though, let’s be real…), but the kind who’s perpetually chasing that perfect cup. You know, the one that kicks you in the pants in the morning and keeps you from face-planting on your keyboard come 3 PM. I’ve been down the rabbit hole of fancy pour-overs, wrestled with temperamental espresso machines, and even stooped to drinking gas station coffee in desperate times. So, when Seattle’s Best Coffee Post Alley Blend crossed my radar, I figured, why not?
Let’s be honest, Seattle’s Best sometimes plays second fiddle to its caffeinated big brother, Starbucks. But hey, everyone deserves a shot, right? Especially when the label screams “dark roast” – my siren song. I’m a total sucker for anything bold, smoky, and able to hold its own against a generous glug of cream (judge me all you want!).
First Sniff Test:
Popping open the bag, I was greeted by a seriously promising aroma. Think dark chocolate mingling with campfire smoke – yum! The grounds looked evenly roasted, which is always a good sign. Nobody wants a mouthful of burnt bitterness first thing in the morning. I fired up my trusty drip machine, sticking to the old reliable 1 tablespoon per 6 ounces of water.
The Moment of Truth:
That first sip? Whoa. Post Alley wasn’t messing around. It delivered that punch-in-the-face boldness I crave, but with a surprisingly smooth landing. The smokiness was definitely there, but it didn’t taste like I was licking an ashtray (a common dark roast pitfall). There was even a subtle sweetness dancing around in the background, playing perfectly against the intensity. And you could tell they were using good quality Arabica beans – no skimping here.
The real shocker? How smooth it was. Dark roasts can be notoriously harsh, but this one went down easy. Even my husband, Mr. Medium Roast himself, grudgingly admitted it was pretty good. I even went rogue one morning and drank it black (a rare occurrence, trust me). I was genuinely surprised by how enjoyable it was without my usual dairy crutch.
A Tiny Hiccup:
Now, I’m not saying it’s always sunshine and rainbows. I did notice a slight variation in flavor from one bag to the next. One time, it tasted a little weaker, a little less… exciting. But hey, maybe I just had an off day with my brewing skills (we all have them!).
The Bottom Line:
All in all, Seattle’s Best Post Alley Blend has earned a permanent spot in my coffee lineup. It’s a consistently delicious dark roast that doesn’t break the bank. It’s perfect for those mornings when you need a serious kickstart, or when you just want to curl up with a good book and a mug of something rich and comforting. If you’re a fellow dark roast devotee on the hunt for your next caffeine fix, do yourself a favor and give this one a whirl. You might just find your new obsession.
My Rating: A solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. Go get yourself some!