What's the big idea?
Cold-brewing brings out the richness of coffee without the acidity. It’s also significantly stronger. Coffee chains have made iced coffee popular; however, the product often tastes like day-old coffee that was put in a fridge. Stores sell bottles of sugary drinks that barely resemble anything that came from a bean.
Rather than competing with bottled drinks at grocery stores, Strongman Coffee will re-define the market. Using the same system as boxed wine, it can be stored in a refrigerator and dispensed from a spigot; resulting in the best tasting, most convenient coffee you can have at home.
Describe the nearest player in your field.
Starbucks and energy drink manufacturers sell single-serving variants on-shelf. Premium roasters, such as Stumptown, are beginning to bottle cold-brewed coffee and sell it as a concentrate direct to consumers. Regional chains (such as Caribou) are beginning to sell growlers of cold coffee in-store.
How are you different from that player?
Strongman Coffee tastes great, but packaging innovation is the differentiator. A first-to-market product of it’s kind; Strongman leverages the popularity of boxed wines and the love of cold coffee to deliver a better-tasting product in a familiar/convenient package; on shelves or direct-to-consumer.
How's the world different with your idea in it?
Cold-brewed coffee in a box has the chance to change the way we buy and consume our favorite drink. Premium coffee is growing in popularity and the beverage industry has tremendous scale. This idea can grow into a major, independent company and/or be a tempting acquisition for larger CPG companies.
Why are you the one to run with this idea?
I can make a product that tastes amazing. I’ve long had the idea of selling cold-brewed coffee, but knew I needed something more than just great tasting coffee in a bottle. I’ve researched packaging, filling, and production methods and only lack the mentorship and capital to get it off the ground.
There have been 8 replies to this idea
Joseph Lampen
Have you already made product (even if in very small batches)? Any non friends or family consumer feedback? It’s an interesting concept.
Luke Retterath
Very, very small batches (<100 oz) for personal consumption for several years now. I haven’t gotten consumer feedback yet, beyond friends/family, but that’s a reflection of this being an early-stage idea. A proof of concept could be done on a small scale (production-wise), but because of the unique packaging will require some specialized equipment to get the product in the bladder that goes into the box. Based on my research, all of the equipment needed to package the product and create a series of batches would be <$5k. That equipment would likely be able to handle production at a limited scale for a good amount of time (while I figure out sales/distribution).
Appreciate the questions and feedback.
Lindsey Retterath
Strongman Coffee has my heartiest endorsement. I hope many more endorse this amazing product so it can be a staple in our fridges, staff meetings, get togethers, and workout routines. Please vote Strongman Coffee and spread the word!
Joshua David Vander Stel
interesting… never tasted cold-brewed coffee before. Is there a place I could try some now?
Luke Retterath
Give me a couple months and you can try all you want ;).
Joshua David Vander Stel
You have a deal!
Nichole Smith
Luke, where can we find Strongman Coffee for Christmas gifts?
Luke Retterath
We’re stocked up at both Tiffany’s and People’s Food in Kalamazoo.
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