By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jan 06, 2016 at 8:09 PM

An article published today by Gear Patrol named one of Milwaukee's newest coffee shops one of the 25 best in America.

With regard to the criteria used to choose the "best of" list, Gear Patrol notes that "The coffee shops on this list are ones that we either have frequented personally (at some point) or are inspired to, thanks to their roasting methods, sourcing philosophies, ambience and, most of all, the artisanal coffee that comes with a story."

Kickapoo, which launched its first cafe at  in Milwaukee's Third Ward on Dec. 19, definitely has a story to tell. From its thoughtfully acquired and roasted beans to its commitment to the environment, which includes a solar-powered roastery, it's one coffee shop in town that's setting itself apart from the crowd.

The Gear Patrol's list includes numerous notable cafes, including Angry Catfish, a shop in Minneapolis which combines a bicycle shop with a cafe  and Speckled Ax in Portland, Ma. which specializes in wood-roasted organic coffee.

"[American consumers want]... a coffee with a story," the article reads. "They want to know where the beans were sourced from, how they’re farmed, where they’re roasted and how they’re brewed. The modern coffee consumer doesn’t mind paying a few dollars more and waiting a few extra minutes for a cup of coffee made with quality beans and attention to detail – and there’s no shortage of coffee shops up to the task."

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.