The art of creating the perfect place to drink coffee is an ungraspable idea, but Black Sheep Coffee in the Ice house has done it perfectly.

To me, coffee tastes better depending on the environment you’re in, and ever since Black Sheep has expanded, they’ve had the best coffee in town. The recent expansion knocked down the wall separating Black Sheep from the Yellow Button, which moved to a different location downtown, and it greatly opened up the space, but not enough to make it seem empty. You have low ceilings which create a sense of coziness, as well as warm-colored furniture and aesthetically pleasing concrete walls and floors. Drinking coffee here makes you feel safe and warm, and it makes the coffee even more flavorful.

Additionally, the baristas are fantastic. Every time you walk in (which for me is about four times a week), you’re greeted with a smile. If you ask what you should get to drink, they give you a variety of options, from chai lattes to cortados to their nitro coffee. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the different types of artisan coffees they sell, the baristas are more than happy to explain them to you and help you find the best drink for your mood.

However, the most important part of Black Sheep is the coffee itself. Every day, they have a rich dark roast and a flavorful light roast on drip, with an amazing decaf option for those of us who can’t handle the caffeine. Additionally, they over a plethora of teas, pour-over coffee options, and their espresso, which goes into cappuccinos and lattes or just straight in a cup, is to die for.

I consider drinking coffee a hobby of mine, and going to Black Sheep is certainly the pinnacle of my coffee drinking achievement.