Chemex is good. My new Hario glass filter is fantastic.
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDG-02B-Glass-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B002VUSWGQ
Of course you need the burr grinder and spring water. I used to get the fancy-shmancy La Minita beans but Dunkin-Donuts beans are almost as good and half the price.
Yes, water does make a difference. Our water comes from a local community well that goes 600 feet down to a gravel channel coming from Lake Pend Oreille just a few miles away. It is the best water I’ve had come out of a tap.
+1 for the burr grinder. That’s what we use.
We have several local roasters - Doma, Thomas Hammer and Craven’s - who deliver a great product. Kivu from the local Fred Meyer is also good and reasonably priced.
That Hario’s a neat coffee dripper - similar to the Chemex in concept. The trick is to limit the amount of time the hot water is in contact with the grounds, which both the Chemex and I imagine the Hario do well. Never a bitter cup.
Apocalypse or not, I’ll still have a decent cup of coffee.