What is Nitro Cold Brew?
Everyone remembers the first time they saw an ice cold, frothy Guinness poured. Even those who don’t enjoy beer are enamored by the velvety ripples caused by its signature infusion of nitrogen. A few years ago, this same technique made its way to coffee and the nitro cold brew movement was started.
Cold brew itself has become quite the phenomenon, a process in which course coffee grounds are steeped in cold or room temperature water for 18-24 hours. The longer extraction time removes the sometimes harsh bitterness found in coffees brewed with hot water. This smooth, refreshing beverage packs a handsome punch of caffeine to get even the longest days going. Add to that cup the same nitrogen gas infused in the aforementioned Guinness, and you have quite the workday experience.
Here is why you need this delicious beverage in your office.
Why Your Office Needs Nitro Cold Brew on Tap
1. Eliminate Waste
How often do we think about the amount of waste caused by coffee by the pot, k-cup, or bottle? Sadly it is more than you would think. Employees in the workplace alone generate over 85lbs of waste per person per year. By the day, oceans and landfills experience an unsustainable level of plastic and bottle waste.
While the science behind nitro cold brew is fun to talk about, sustainability is the number one reason offices should consider changing the way they offer their coffee products. While fancy packaging in single portion bottled or canned cold brew is eye catching, its adverse effects long-term can be dangerous. Due to the nitrogen infusion process, nitro cold brew is packaged fresh and stored in kegs housed in a kegerator unit keeping it cold. This method of storage and distribution eliminates the need for boxes, capsules, and packets, thus serving as a waste-free, sustainable source of coffee. You are not only helping save the planet, you are actually getting a fresher, better tasting product in the process. Companies like Joyride have saved nearly 18 million bottles and cans from landfills with their refillable kegs.
2. Bring People Back to the Workplace
As more offices reopen or expand their daily operating capacity, employee happiness and safety upon return are two of the biggest discussion points. Even the most well thought out safety measures do not fully quell the reservations of leaving the remote working routine.
Whether in the form of welcome back packages, snack boxes, or other means, businesses are looking for different ways to show they care about the people that make them what they are. Refreshing the breakroom space is an easy way to transform an office, welcoming employees back with open arms. A kegerator with a selection of everyone’s favorite beverages is sure to create a buzz people will go out of their way to experience for themselves.
3. Experience & Taste
The final question that needs to be asked: Will people use this? Unlike most trendy products that may have fleeting appeal to a younger demographic, the timeless nature of the keg tap and unique mouth feel promise to bridge the gap between young and old in the workplace. What nitro cold brew and its accompanying kegerator equipment ultimately provides – in an ideal world – is a place to come together. The experience is a conversation starter that doesn’t take minutes to prep and brew causing a line of people backed up in the breakroom. The grab and go nature begs for a momentary exchange when like-minded individuals stop to refuel.
In a time when the simple pleasure of human interaction has long been dormant, an experiential beverage in many ways is a catalyst to usher in a new era.
While the benefits may be numerous, outfitting your office or workplace with a nitro cold brew kegerator is a little more tricky. Or, it used to be. With Joyride by Aramark, there has never been an easier way to create a sustainable, better beverage program offering delicious nitro cold brew, iced teas, kombucha and more.* We are really excited for the future and think you will be too.