Glasgow Coffee Festival 2020
![Glasgow Coffee Festival](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Glasgow-Coffee-Fest-2020.jpg)
Glasgow Coffee Festival returns this October to celebrate and support the vibrant speciality coffee scene
Five destination coffee shops to visit, ASAP
![Gylly Beach Cafe, Cornwall](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Gylly-Beach-Cafe-Cornwall.jpg)
Five fantastic destination coffee shops across the UK where you can drink top-notch brews in amazing locations
The interview: Holly Kragiopoulos of North Star
![Holly North Star](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Holly-North-Star.jpg)
Holly Kragiopoulos, co-founder of North Star Coffee Roasters in Leeds, tells us about the impact lockdown has had on her business
Where to get takeaway coffee
![Takeaway coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/nathan-dumlao-vy81aM_dKRA-unsplash.jpg)
Want to know where you can pick up an expertly poured flat white? We’ve rounded up the speciality venues offering takeaway brews, beans and more
Sustainable Champions: Yallah Coffee
![Yallah Coffee Roastery](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/yallahroasterywide-002.jpg)
Just who should be responsible for coffee practices being sustainable? We explore the issue with Richard Blake, founder of Cornwall’s Yallah Coffee
Sustainable Champions: Dark Woods Coffee
![Dark Woods Coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dark-Woods-Coffee.jpg)
In the next chapter of our Sustainable Champions series with KeepCup, we talk eco “cherrypicking” with Dark Woods Coffee co-founder Ian Agnew
Coffee market crash
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The market price of coffee is at an all-time low. What’s going on? Kathryn Lewis asks if speciality coffee could be the solution
Sustainable Champions: Hasbean
![Dale Harris at Hasbean](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Hasbean-1.jpg)
In the next instalment of our Sustainable Champions series with KeepCup, we talk sourcing, recycling and consumption with World Barista Champ Dale Harris
2019 new openings: Northern England and the Midlands
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To celebrate the launch of the huge new North, Midlands & North Wales Independent Coffee Guide, we rounded up the region’s fresh openings for 2019
Scotland’s most ‘grammable coffee shops
![Eden Locke interiors](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Eden-Locke.jpg)
More pictures of flat whites than friends on your phone? Check out Scotland’s most ‘grammable venues from the new Independent Coffee Guide
England’s most ‘grammable coffee shops
![The Flower Cup Chester interior shot](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/The-Flower-Cup-Chester.jpg)
Camera roll filled with ‘grammable coffee shop interiors? These Independent Coffee Guide venues guarantee social media success
Edinburgh Fringe Festival coffee guide
![Barista pouring beans into grinder](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Brew-Lab-Edinburgh.jpg)
Heading to the Edinburgh for your fill of comedy and arts? Make sure you’re expertly caffeinated with our Edinburgh Fringe coffee guide …
14 new coffee shops to add to your Ireland hit list
![Speciality coffee shop bar and interior](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Copper-and-Straw-Bray.jpg)
Planning a caffeine-fuelled road trip across Ireland? These are the new coffee shops to add to your hit list
Indy Coffee Box
![Indy Coffee Box](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Indy-Coffee-Box-ICG.jpg)
Tour the incredible speciality coffee scene from the comfort your kitchen with the Indy Coffee Box
The ultimate uni essential
![University](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/iStock-950267192.jpg)
Know someone off to university this September? Forget an A-Z, the most useful gift you could give them is an Indy Coffee Guide
The future of coffee
![White Star Coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/white-star-coffee.jpg)
From experimenting with processing to diversifying traditional coffee shops, meet the businesses brewing the future of Irish caffeine culture …
Sustainable Champions: PS Coffee Roasters
![PS Coffee Roasters](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PS-Coffee-Roasters-1.jpg)
For our third interview in the KeepCup Sustainable Champions series, we catch up with the brothers behind PS Coffee Roasters
Eco game-changers
![Eco game-changers](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Eco-game-changers.jpg)
From weigh-your-own lunches to slurping beer from a KeepCup, the speciality community is getting creative in its ethical efforts
What makes a great barista?
![in search of the great barista](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/in-search-of-the-great-barista.jpg)
Experience, knowledge and ability are the holy trinity, but what separates a good barista from a truly great one? We asked the pros …
Sustainable Champions: Dear Green Coffee Roasters
![Dear Green Coffee Roasters](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dear-green-team-pic-1.jpg)
In the second of our Sustainable Champions series with KeepCup, we talk to Lisa Lawson, founder of Dear Green Coffee Roasters
Sustainable Champions: The Wildcat Cafe
![The Wildcat Cafe](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/watermark-web-edit.jpg)
In the first of the Indy Coffee Guide x KeepCup Sustainable Champions series we talk to Deanna Laforet, owner of The Wildcat Cafe in Fort William, Scotland
Right here, right now
![rebal alliance](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/rebal-alliance.png)
Change has been the only constant in the coffee sphere since the Indy Coffee Guides were launched half a decade ago
10 ways to be a more ethical coffee drinker
![keep cup 10 ways to be a more ethical coffee drinker](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/KeepCup2017-10-26_0934-1.jpg)
Keen to be kinder to the planet without kicking your speciality habit? Squeeze in these swaps and your conscience will be as clear as that filter
Regions on the rise
![Regions on the rise](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/regions-on-the-rise.jpg)
Playing it safe with the Ethiopian single origin option? Get ready for fresh flavour notes thanks to a new batch of coffee growing regions
Fresher’s guide to tasting coffee
![Freshers guide to tasting coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Freshers-guide-to-tasting-coffee.jpg)
Want to swot up before your first cupping sesh? We asked Paul Meikle-Janney, coffee guru and co-founder of Dark Woods Coffee, for the basics
Green coffee
![Green coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/KeepCup_Brew_01-1.jpg)
With ethical bean sourcing and a quality-over-quantity approach, the speciality movement is leading the way when it comes to sustainability
Want to be a tamp champ?
![Arvind Khedun](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Arvind-Khedun.jpg)
Ever wondered what it takes to become an Irish barista champ? We extracted tales of blood, sweat and tampers from 2018 champion Arvind Khedun
Beyond the beans
![Illustration of Powers Whisky](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Powers-whisky-illustration.jpg)
With rents skyrocketing and rates heading the same way, coffee shop owners are finding creative ways to utilise their cafe space after hours
Ditching the disposables
![Boston Tea Party](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Boston-Tea-Party.jpg)
Boston Tea Party took a bold leap last month and introduced a blanket ban on single use cups at its 22 cafes across the South West
The barista’s little black book – Scotland
![Scottish Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/bl_37.jpg)
Ever wondered where the pros go for a ‘spro on their day off? Or where your fave barista fell in love with filter? We got the deets from some of Scotland’s most experienced espresso slingers
The innovators
![The Good Coffee Cartel | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/good-coffee-cartel-roasting.jpg)
From frozen bean shots to slot roasting to hydraulic mobile espresso machines, speciality coffee continues its relentless pursuit of perfection through innovation. Here’s what’s new in the Scottish scene – and beyond
DIY coffee roasting
![How to roast coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/DIY-roasting.jpg)
You’ve kitted out your kitchen with the latest brewing gear, nailed a killer Chemex recipe and sussed out the steam wand, but are you ready to roast beans at home? We roped in a few industry insiders to find out what it takes
Wild coffee
![Wild coffee | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Wild-coffee.jpg)
Grab an Edinburgh or Glasgow city map, stick a pin in at random, and if it doesn’t land near a speciality coffee shop, consider yourself unlucky. But often overlooked is the growing crop of indies pushing quality coffee in the wilds. We spoke to three cafe owners about serving speciality in the sticks …
Stop. Collaborate and listen
![Craft coffee | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Craft-Coffee.jpg)
In the pursuit of caffeine-spiked sponge, creamy coffee stout and bean-steeped gin, speciality roasters and bean alchemists are creatively collaborating with other artisan businesses. We explore some of the indie outfits fuelling our unconventional caffeine kicks
Thirst aid
![Thirst Aid | Extract Coffee | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/David-Faulkner.jpg)
Ensuring coffee farmers receive a fair wage, supporting charities at origin and raising money for local communities – throughout the speciality scene, organisations are going the extra mile to help others. We met some of the businesses in the South West and South Wales walking the walk. Feature from the South West and South Wales […]
Tour de speciality: Ireland
![Espresso | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/stock-coffee.jpg)
Take a break from Dublin’s pub crawls, Belfast’s history trips and surf tours of the coast. It’s time to discover Ireland’s thriving speciality scene with a caffeinated voyage around the Emerald Isle
Coffee and food pairing
![Coffee and food pairing | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Mark-Byers.jpg)
The flavour profile of a coffee, when matched with similar notes in food, can become the gateway to appreciating speciality coffee
Tour de speciality: The North
![Tamper Coffee | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tamper.jpg)
With new speciality shops cropping up across the North and pioneer roasters flinging open their doors to coffee fans, there’s never been a better time for a caffeine-fuelled road trip
Pro guide to home brewing
![Hannah Davies | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Hannah-Davies-1.jpg)
Hankering after a perfect barista-style coffee at home? Cofficionado Hannah Davies of Cup North spills the beans on how to crack home brewing
Milk of human kindness
![Stephensons Dairy | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Stephensons-Dairy-1-600x415.jpg)
You know exactly where your coffee came from, and you’re satisfied that a fair price was tendered for those locally roasted beans. So why ignore the milk?
5 things the coffee pros wish you knew
![5 Things Every Coffee Pro Wished You Knew | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5-things.jpg)
Ever wondered what the barista is really thinking when you place your particularly complicated order?
Taking the Q
![Taking the Q | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Taking-the-Q.jpg)
The term “Q grader” is bandied about in the world of speciality coffee, but what does it mean?
Bean scene
![Coffee Jam | Independent Coffee Guide](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CoffeeJam-1.jpg)
From espresso fuelled basement gigs to latte art smackdowns in the back room, Scotland’s thriving underground speciality scene is gaining serious momentum
Indy Coffee Guide March lowdown
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Welcome to your March coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
From latte to landfill
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We asked eco-campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall if the indies can help reduce the number of coffee cups ending up in landfill
Indy Coffee Guide February lowdown
![February](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Untitled-1-600x404.jpg)
Welcome to your February coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
Indy Coffee Guide January lowdown
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Welcome to your January coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
Indy Coffee Guide December lowdown
![December](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/December-600x375.jpg)
Welcome to your December coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
Coffee on tap
![Coffee on tap](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Coffee-on-tap-600x398.jpg)
The brewing trend that’s making waves across the pond, nitro’s turned up at a select handful of British festivals, bars and cafes this year
Indy Coffee Guide November lowdown
![](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_0653-600x400.jpg)
Welcome to your November coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
South West & South Wales Indy Coffee Guide Launch
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We like to think that there ain’t no party like a coffee guide party, and at the launch of the new guide, our hosts Extract and Beyond the Bean certainly pulled out all the …
Indy Coffee Guide October lowdown
![UK Roasting champs](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Coffee-Guide-600x400.jpg)
Welcome to your October coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
Indy Coffee Guide September lowdown
![Brew & Bake](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Brew-and-Bake-600x407.jpg)
Welcome to your September coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with the coolest caffeinated events
Indy Coffee Guide August lowdown
![Cairngorm](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Cairngorm-600x401.jpg)
Welcome to your August coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with only the coolest caffeinated events
Northern Indy Coffee Guide No.2 launch
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Keeping up coffee guide tradition, we launched the Northern Indy Coffee Guide No.2 with a ruddy good knees up on June 30 at North Star Coffee Academy in Leeds
Indy Coffee Guide July lowdown
![Flat Caps Coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Flat-Caps-600x400.jpg)
Welcome to your July indy coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with only the coolest events crafted by the caffeine gods
Indy Coffee Guide June lowdown
![](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Fika_DFboosted-600x379.jpg)
Welcome to your June indy coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with only the coolest events crafted by the caffeine gods
Indy Coffee Guide May lowdown
![Dear Green](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC00648boosted-600x397.jpg)
Welcome to your May indy coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with only the coolest events crafted by the caffeine gods
African adventures
![Schluter](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Schluter-600x400.jpg)
Pigs on bikes, slaughtered goats and cabs with no headlights – it’s all in a day’s work for the intrepid explorers sourcing beans in Africa
Indy Coffee Guide April lowdown
![Bike](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Bike-600x400.jpg)
Welcome to your April indy coffee bible; preaching this month’s speciality latest and filling your diary with only the coolest events crafted by the caffeine gods
Indy Coffee hits the UKBC
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We sent Charley Pope – Boston Tea Party barista and wordsmith extraordinaire – to her first UK Barista Champs to get the lowdown on badass beards, the latest tech and, um, coffee
New liquid on the block
![Cascara](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Cascara-600x400.jpg)
Cascara is a drink that’s making waves across the Scottish coffee scene. We got the lowdown from barista James Wallace
The road to perfection
![](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/indie-guide-general-1boosted-600x397.jpg)
We commissioned eagle-eyed lensman Gavin Smart to capture some of the characters behind Scotland’s buzzing coffee scene
Percolating the past
![History of coffee](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/History-of-coffee-600x400.jpg)
From eighteenth century gents debating the day’s issues to the cool coffee culture of the sixties, Catherine Jones brews up a shot of northern coffee history
School of milk
![School of milk](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/School-of-milk-600x400.jpg)
Getting the milk right is almost as much an art as making the coffee itself. Alex Passmore of Origin Coffee gives a masterclass
One for the road
![One for the road](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/One-for-the-road-600x400.jpg)
Bike and brews go hand in hand, so we sent cycling geek Marcus Chapman and Crankhouse Coffee’s Dave Stanton to try out the latest in ‘anytime, anywhere’ coffee maker, the Cafflano
The African connection
![African connection](https://staging.indycoffee.guide/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/African-connection-600x400.jpg)
Widely recognised as the birthplace of the bean, craved by its fans across the globe, African coffee deservedly attracts acclaim. Catherine Jones talks to Phil Schluter