Coffee education classes for our community and coffee enthusiasts
DOCR has been dedicated to equipping our baristas with the knowledge and skills required to excel in serving our communities through exceptional coffee practices. Our educational resources now extend beyond our team — reaching a wider audience in our valued customers through public-facing classes. These classes are hosted at our Training Lab inside our Ferndale Cafe + HQ, located at 927 Hilton Rd. Class tickets can be purchased on our Eventbrite!
Be sure to follow us on Eventbrite and Instagram for updates and notifications on class launches, educational events and more!
Below is a list of our public education curriculum and classes we currently offer!
Beginner Latte Art
Learn the fundamentals of steaming milk and pouring latte art in this hands-on class. We’ll cover milk-steaming theory, texture, and the techniques to create your first basic designs — the perfect foundation for building your latte art skills.
Pro tip: Purchase your very-own steaming pitcher from the Education Department Shopping cart to bring with you to your Intermediate Class! Inquire with Education Managers, Emma + Tyler, before or after your class.
Please note: Our Education Department recommends taking our Beginner Latte Art class before jumping to Intermediate Latte Art.
Intermediate Latte Art
Get ready to take your latte art skills to the next level with our Intermediate Latte Art Class. Build on your foundational skills from Beginner Latte Art in this hands-on intermediate class designed for smaller groups and more time at the bar.
Please note: Our Education Department recommends taking our Beginner Latte Art class before jumping to Intermediate Latte Art.
Where in the World Does Your Coffee Come From?
Discover the journey of coffee from seed to cup in this engaging overview. Explore where coffee grows around the world, how it’s harvested and processed, and the steps that turn green coffee into the roasted coffee you enjoy every morning. You’ll also learn about decaf production, different processing methods, and the roasting procedures that shape flavor in every cup.
Pro tip: Bring a notepad and pen to write down all the interesting facts you learn about class during this lecture-style class!
Please note: This class has been previously named ‘Coffee 101’ as well as ‘Coffee at Origin and Harvesting'.
Brewing Specialty Coffee: Immersion & Filter
In this class, we will run through different coffee brewing methods, participate in a coffee tasting together, and teach our Hario V60 pour over recipe. This class specializes in the difference between many coffee brewing methods. We will learn some of the main categories of brewing, and learn which one is right for you. This is a lecture-style class but will include coffee tasting through different brewing methods.
Pro tip: Bringing a notebook and pen is highly encouraged for note taking!
Please note: This class has been previously named ‘Brewing Basics'.
Hands-on Brewing: Espresso Basics
Take this hands-on class to explore how different brewing variables will influence each shot of espresso including: puck preparation, brewing ratio, grind size, and more. We will run through each variable, and talk through getting the best-tasting espresso shot while tasting lots of coffee! This is the perfect class for beginner at-home baristas. No previous brewing experience is required!
Pro tip: Bringing a notebook and pen is highly encouraged for note taking!
Please note: This class, formerly known as 'Intro to Espresso' has been renamed and redesigned to include a more hands-on approach to espresso preparation and tasting.
Hands-on Brewing: Pour Over Mastery, Precision, Flow & Flavor
Learn the fundamentals of crafting a perfectly brewed pour over coffee using the Hario V60. We will cover brewing phases, learn DOCR’s pour over recipe, and compare and contrast between different coffees and brews — the perfect class for beginner at-home baristas. No previous brewing experience is required!
Pro tip: Bringing a notebook and pen is highly encouraged for note taking!
Palate, Sensory & Cupping Class
Explore the flavors, aromas, and textures of coffee in this hands-on cupping and sensory session. You’ll evaluate fragrance, acidity, aftertaste, balance, body, and flavor to better understand coffee quality and learn how to distinguish tasting notes like a trained coffee taster.
Pro tip: Bringing a notebook and pen is highly encouraged for note taking as we go over how to taste coffees, how we perceive flavor and aroma while cupping coffees together.
Please note: This class was previously named ‘Palate + Sensory Study’.
The Tasting The Tasting Room: A Guided Coffee Study & Demonstration
The Tasting Room is an intimate, guided coffee tasting focused on a single coffee, experienced through multiple brewing methods. Guests are led through the brewing and tasting process by our team, exploring how extraction, technique, and method shape flavor in the cup.
The coffee is revealed at the start of each session — come thirsty and ready for a journey. This experience centers curiosity, sensory awareness, and shared discovery.
Please note: This class is designed for smaller groups and hosted in two 45-minute intervals. Please select your preferred interval when signing up on Eventbrite!
Inside The Drum: A Roastery Tour
Go Inside The Drum and explore how green coffee transforms into the roasted coffee you love to drink. This guided roastery tour walks you through our roasting process up close, along with tasting some of our current offerings with Nate, our DIrector of Coffee, and Anthony, our HQ + Production Manager. You’ll also get to leave with a bag of freshly roasted coffee to enjoy at home!
Give the gift of coffee education
DOCR’s Education Department gift cards are here
Now you can give the coffee lover in your life the gift of learning. Perfect for friends, family, coworkers, or anyone curious about coffee! Purchase your gift card below.
Our Education Department gift cards can be used toward any of our public classes listed on Eventbrite — including Beginner Latte Art, Palate & Sensory Basics, Intro to Espresso, Roastery Tours, and more.
The process is simple: Visit our Eventbrite to explore available classes and choose a value between $25–$200 that fits your recipient’s interests. The gift card will be delivered directly to their inbox — either immediately or on a special date you choose.
Please note: This gift card is only valid for DOCR Education Department classes listed on our Eventbrite account.
