Brews around the ‘berg: The journey for the perfect caffeinated beverage continues downtown

by LATIFAH SMITH

Senior Writer

For those who aren’t coffee lovers, it’s a great time to start, as we are in the perfect season to sip on cozy drinks and enjoy the aesthetic fall vibes outside. Personally, I love all the warm flavors of pumpkin, vanilla and cinnamon, and it’s pumpkin spice season, so I am all for it. If you’re on the opposite end of that flavor spectrum, there’s definitely a cozy flavor out there for you; you just have to get out there and find it!

“Let’s people-watch!”

Hyperion Espresso, located at 301 William St., is right in the middle of downtown Fredericksburg, and no matter what time of day it is, there are always people sitting outside enjoying each other’s company and sipping their drink of choice. There’s bar seating on the inside, giving you the option to look out the massive window and people-watch, read a good book with nice lighting or simply enjoy your cup of joe with beautiful Fredericksburg scenery. This is the perfect kind of spot to have a leisurely afternoon, and during my visit here I caught up on a book I was reading, sipped my coffee and scrolled on Instagram for a bit.

To me, Hyperion offers a cozy and classic coffee shop with a bit of an artsy vibe. I give the location a 7/10 because it’s easy to locate, but parking is hard in that area, as it’s always pretty busy. 

If you’re someone who tends to get overwhelmed with an extensive menu of coffee, lattes and espresso, this is the perfect place for you. While Hyperion’s menu isn’t the smallest I’ve seen, it doesn’t have the large variety that I usually expect, so I give their menu selection a 7/10. 

When I went to Hyperion, I ordered an iced latte, which is a shot of espresso poured over ice with your choice of milk. It had the right balance of bitter and sweet that I crave when I am looking for something on the simpler side, and I often find that when I order a latte from other coffee shops it’s too bitter. At Hyperion, this wasn’t the case, so I rate the coffee a 8.5/10. 

Hyperion Espresso is on my list of places to go back to because of the relaxing environment,  and I hope to try a few more of their espresso-based drinks. Overall, I think this coffee shop is a great spot for those looking for a cup of coffee without all of the extra-ness.

“An extra shot of espresso, please!” 

My next caffeinated adventure brought me to Katora Coffee at 615 Caroline St., which is nestled in the middle of some other shops that line the block. In terms of location, the coffee shop was easy to find, but parking was a bit difficult, so I would rate it a 7/10.

As soon as you enter Katora, you notice the chic and punk aesthetic mixed with an element of fun rolled into one place. If you love interesting art pieces and an assortment of coffee, then this is the spot for you. This shop is all about building community, which makes it a great place to hang out with your friends, so it is worthwhile to stop in and try something new. During my visit here I was with my friends, and we chatted for the majority of the afternoon and into the evening. 

Now, down to the brew itself. For both the coffee and the menu, I give them an 8/10. I loved the variety of available options, and the cup of coffee I ordered tasted good. I also appreciate the fact that there are so many options in regard to coffee, tea, milk variety and food, such as pastries and sandwiches. This spot is also vegan-friendly, and they have options that fit every taste. 

Katora Coffee also holds live poetry shows and bands, so the coffee shop would also be a solid spot to check out at night as well. 

“Espresso and chill?”

Curitiba Art Café is located at 919 Caroline St., and when I walked in, I just wanted to order a shot of espresso and sit with a good book, so that’s exactly what I did. I opened up a book, sat down and sipped on my coffee. This would be an ideal spot to either catch up on your homework assignments and study or do some leisurely reading, which are both ways that I like to spend my time in coffee shops. 

Curitiba is a welcoming and colorful spot with a cool layout inside. The interior has a lot of open seating with woodsy elements that I found comforting. In addition, the giant window at the front of the shop gives you the ability to look out at the shops at the front of the store while sipping your coffee, which is an indulgence in itself. 

I love menus with a bunch of options, so I was a little disappointed when I saw how limited theirs was. In terms of coffee selection, they have standard drink options, and I ordered a standard iced latte, which was smooth—just the way I like them. I rate my brew an 8/10. 

The location was easy to find, and this is definitely a nice spot for those who are into espresso and a chill time.