Modbar
We love the way a cup of coffee tastes when made using a Chemex. We also love serving our friends coffee as consistently and efficiently as possible. For us, the solution came in the form of Modbar’s Pour Over system. Using Modbar allows us to spend more time with customers while also allowing us to serve more customers quality brewed coffee alongside our espresso offerings on the Victoria Arduino Black Eagle. Here’s a little more info about Modbar and their systems from Modbar team members Will and Lena:
“Modbar was created by two bandmates in Fort Wayne, Indiana: Corey Waldron and Aric Forbing. The idea started percolating in Corey's mind in the early 2000s while he was working as a barista and roaster -- he wondered why he had to have a big bulky machine on the counter getting in the way of his conversations with customers. He imagined there must be a way to move most of the machine under the counter and leave only the coffee service above. Corey turned to his friend Aric, an industrial designer, to bring the concept to life. Early on, the pair found support from La Marzocco and brought the first modular, undercounter espresso machine to the market in 2013.”
Modbar debuted their Pour Over system alongside their Espresso and Steam systems at the SCAA Expo in Boston in 2013. “Originally, Aric & Corey wanted to offer a hot water tap to complement the espresso and steam systems but found that there were already some good options available for that. Their thinking then began to incorporate a by-the-cup drip coffee option, and they found that there weren't any options that allowed for both manual and programmed/automatic use, so they got to working on what eventually became the Pour Over System we know and love today.”
Modbar Espresso
By moving all of the boiler’s and technology under the counter, Modbar’s Espresso system eliminates the need for a mini coffee-creating wall between barista and customer, leaving only the group heads and steam wands on bar. This sometimes confuses coffee consumers who take the absence of a big machine on the bar to mean the shop doesn’t serve espresso.
Photo courtesy of The Boxcar
“It's kind of a two-edged sword: we want the 'gear' to disappear in order to highlight the process, the barista's hands and their crafting of the beverage. But then I'm also like, 'Hey! Our machines are really good looking. Notice them!' We can't have it both ways, but I still want to. Our system is great for that reason - the guest can see their drink being constructed. Most latte fans have never seen an espresso shot pouring. It also makes the barista have to up their cleanliness game, which I love, as everything is on display. No more hiding the mess behind or under the espresso machine.”
Next time you grab a pourover, check out the system just behind the Black Eagle and let us know what you think. Also, to see Modbar’s Espresso and Steam Systems in use, head south and see our friends over at The Boxcar of Moore!
