By Terry Houin
Sometimes you just need to be “That Guy.” I don’t like to be the douche in the airport having work calls on my ear buds while trying to make a connection, but sometimes I need to make the call, and I also need my hands.
But there are plenty of times I will gladly be “That Guy” when it comes to enjoying my life. Most recently I was that guy minding my own business on a long flight to Buenos Aires. As most people that enjoy good caffeine know, the lukewarm water the airlines try to pass off as coffee is just a piss-poor attempt to placate travelers on long flights. This is why I have no problem packing some Black Rifle Coffee instant sticks to scratch my caffeine itch. Are they as good as fresh ground and brewed espresso? No. Are they better than what the common folk are being served? Yes.
I’m also “That Guy” in camp or in my hotel room spinning my hand grinder like an idiot, packing the grinds into my portable espresso machine and waiting longer than it would take to walk to the Starbucks counter and ordering a pumpkin spice latte like any other white girl. But the self-gratification I get sipping a quality, freshly brewed espresso is priceless. Especially when the crew has to wait on me.
Now I’m not a coffee nerd that travels with a scale, temperature gauge, filter, or whatever else they have in those ridiculous cases. And then wax poetic about the origins of the bean. I mean come on, I’m not “That Guy.”
My Black Rifle Coffee Kit
Here’s a quick rundown of how I like to travel depending on where I’m going and what amenities I expect to have.
If I have a camp like we hunted out of in Zambia, I’ll take a bag of beans. Usually, a dark Espresso roast like my standard go-tos Blackbeard’s Delight and Tactisquatch. Sometimes I’ll have some specialty bags that randomly show up to the house.
My hand grinder, aka fidget spinner, is an AeroPress manual hand grinder. I highly recommend this grinder; it’s virtually bombproof and just as simple to use. Lots of grind levels, so experiment and find what works for your beans and tastes.
My newest addition is my portable espresso machine from Outin. I have the mini for a smaller travel package and the other guys usually make fun of me, so I don’t share morning ritual with those heathens. This machine is rechargeable, pretty easy to use, but again, play around before you hit the road.
I also run a French press occasionally if I’m feeling generous or my beautiful bride is with me. She can be a little feisty without caffeine, so I’ve learned over the years that’s not a battle I want to wage.
If I’m going into the backcountry or need to travel light, I will rock the BRCC Instant Coffee Sticks, which don’t appear to be on the website, but I can usually get them at Scheels or Cabelas. And if the going gets really tough a tin of the BRCC or Alp caffeine pouches in the lip can be a saving grace.
Uncle T’s Takeaway
Don’t be ashamed to demand quality on the daily. Life is too short to waste time with crap caffeine or dealing with dumb people. Stand up tall and be “That Guy” that embraces the finer things in life.
Just don’t be the asshole on his ear buds in the airport.
