If you are intimidated by hipster beards, mason jars and drop crotch pants then this post is not for you.
You know those moments that you are clearly late to the party? I had one of those in Jindabyne this week at CBD, an urban inspired den of caffeine that opened three years ago.
Founded by Kristopher McKenna with $70 to his name, the grungeon (see what I did there?) was thrown together on a shoe string with milk crates, old doors, snowboards and beer kegs creating an eclectic array of refurbished furniture and a lick of chalkboard paint on the walls for instant guest graffiti.
The result is CBD, the best coffee I have drunk in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, even if it does come in a jar (the tip is to order a standard size latte as that is served in a cup, the large goes straight to a mason jar ready for Instagram).
Yes, yes, I have a problem with mason jars, Kale, top knots and bush ranger beards but I know my coffee and the Synesso Hydra machine with Vella Nero coffee and some Bonsoy on the shelf point to caffeine satisfaction.
McKenna opened CBD on a whim. Hungover one morning while visiting Jindabyne from Melbourne he saw an empty site and was dared to open a cafe. He went home sold everything he had and launched CBD in Jindy.
He was already an established barista having worked the machines at various Melbourne coffee spots including Black Pearl, so it was a no brainer in a town starved of a decent grind.
“We deliberately chose a no marketing approach” says McKenna and I fear the cafe may no longer be cool once my mass market demographics read about it (have I helped him just jump the shark? I hope not).
This season he’s opened the doors to Darren from Dial A Wax so you can drop in, get your board or skis waxed and grab a coffee all for $20 on the way to the slopes.
If you don’t have time then Darragh also offers a pick up and delivery service for your board/skis, he may even bring you a coffee if you ask nicely.
The day we visited CBD the cafe was pumping, a plethora of beanie wearing bros scattered amongst some family types all sharing a love of the brown bean. Service was slow due to a staff member being late or missing in action but it picked up once the full team arrived.
Food here is basic and tasty, bagels with breakfast fillings, house made gluten free banana bread and other hipster fare. Want skim milk? Go elsewhere, McKenna considers it sacrilege to add that to a good coffee.
There’s even a Chuck Norris wall filled with quotes about the master.
“Basically it’s the only part of the chalkboard walls that has never been washed” explains McKenna of how the wall came to be.
If you want more, and trust me you really really do, then visit their Facebook page and follow them on instagram @coffeebeatsdrinks
You’ll find CBD next to the Westpac on Snowy River Avenue at the back of Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre.
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I’m sure it’s great coffee, but Chuck Norris jokes are a bit old hat now.
so are mason jars, but I am willing to overlook this, Kris is really great guy and knows his stuff, I would put up with thick pottery mugs made by a crafty potter with hairy armpits and served on a lace doily if the coffee was good.