It was a battle for coffee supremacy in Winnipeg.
On Friday, local cafes duked it out with name-brand giants for the Information Radio Ultimate Cup prize.
Four java junkies taste-tested nine blends of caffeinated, percolated brew.

One by one they eliminated MacDonalds, the CBC Coffee-Made-in-a-sock and by the time they kicked out Starbucks - they were down to the final two.

Here's how it sounded in the last moments (RealPlayer, runs 2:18)

Thanks to our judges:  Mike Bobko, Diane Skogstad, Sharon Nerbas and Nick Kowalchuk.

Here is how they rated the joes.

1. Le Garage Cafe
2. Finales Coffee House
3. Starbucks
4. McDonald's
5. CBC Coffee made-in-a-sock
6. Forbidden Flavours
7. The Fyxx
8. Tim Hortons
9. X-Cues Billiards & Cafe

Eighteen-week-old puppy Takoda is the new Director of Greetings (D.O.G.) of the South Interlake Credit Union branch in Selkirk. Branch manager Kerry Hendry says the branch decided to "hire" a dog after researching the positive effect animals have on the workplace.

Hendry says they chose a St. Bernard because the breed is known to be friendly and cooperative. Takoda (which means "friend to all" in the Sioux language) has been on the job for a couple of months. Hendry says she is already the centre of attention for staff, customers, and just people off the street in Selkirk who drop by to give a pat, or get a lick.

Takoda is now working with a trainer who comes to the branch and teaches her how to do her "greeting duties". Different members of the staff, including Hendry, enjoy taking her for walks when nature calls. After "work", Takoda goes home to a family with children who live in Selkirk.

Kerry Hendry, Terry MacLeod and Heather Wells visit with Takoda in the Information Radio office moments after the pup made her radio debut.

Terry MacLeod's interview with Kerry Hendry (RealPlayer, runs 6:15)

CBC.ca related link: Credit union's new director of greetings will 'give you kisses'