After four years of walking by and trying to sneak a peak, I finally walked into W.C. Clarke's Freshly Roasted Coffees in The Cheese Shoppe, 234 E. Calder Way.

This was a serious outing.

I hadn't been up before 10 a.m. in State College in quite some time, so I bulked up on clothing to fight the 8:30 a.m. chill. Decked out in a thermal tank top (yes it's awesome), a long-sleeve thermal, a hoodie, a long coat and boots, I trekked down to the coffee shop for a fresh-brewed taste of heaven.

My destination was toasty and welcoming. The small, 32 year-old shop is dark inside with wooden walls and friendly folks who lighten it up with cheery chitchat. It also has a huge roaster in the front.

"It's a different kind of place," employee Mary Zuccato (junior-communication arts and sciences) said

I served myself a cup of "Uncle Willie's Blend," a medium roast, and a blueberry muffin.

The price: $1.25 for the smaller sized coffee and $1.50 for the muffin = $2.75 total. Pretty reasonable, eh?

Price I paid: $3.25

Okay, I haven't had a math class since sophomore year. W.C. Clarke's accepts payments on the "honors system," meaning you just leave your cash flow on the counter in the payment pile.

I don't mind; the way I look at it, the 50 extra cents I spent means two less drinks I'll be consuming. (Yes, you can get a drink for a quarter here if you play your cards right. See the Den Tuesday nights for quarter drafts.)

Anyway, the coffee was great, and it was a special blend created by the owner, Bill Clarke, Zuccato said. The muffin was moist and bursting with berries. It was also less greasy than the mass-produced ones at Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

Dunkin and Starbucks fiends, be aware: W.C. Clarke's has the best coffee in town at a great price, especially if you're good at adding.

Nine varieties are brewed fresh throughout the day as needed, and separate coffee makers are used for each kind, Zuccato said. Also, with Mary's merry smile and pleasant demeanor in the a.m., the early morning coffee process was less robotic than it is at places like Starbucks. While you can grab your own coffee and go, the staff also makes cappuccinos to order.

The shop also sells cheese, teas and gourmet foods, including a plethora of chocolate varieties and sauces.

Stop in this delightful place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the tastiest java boost in town.

--Beth