Cold Brewed Coffee - Take two….

[eldub]

Hey, kids.

I know there is another cold brewed thread, but am hoping to get some responses to specific questions here, if possible.

We've finally perfected a blend and ratios. We're making some great tasting iced coffee. I've located 5 gal kegs and equipment online. Unfortunately, I've yet to sample cold brewed coffee under co2 or nitrogen and would like some input on the various gasses that can be used to pressurize the kegs and maybe add a bit of foam.

I'm looking to start offering our cold brewed coffee at farmer's markets and other local establishments and functions. Any experience with this topic would be appreciated.

 

[Musicphan]

eldub - I haven't had a lot of experience with cold brewed coffee carbonated but I can share my experiences/knowledge w/ beer. First, beers are carbonated with CO2 only - you can force carbonate by putting high pressure onto your brew – it takes about 24 hours and you have to be careful the first time you tap the keg. Second option (but not recommended for cold brew coffee) is to set at normal carbonation rate and wait… that could take a week to get the carbonation rate to where you want (if you want fizzy). But with CB coffee I would force carbo since you have a limited shelf life (and time). You could buy yourself a soda stream to try before you invest… I have also seen CO2 adapters for 2 liter bottles (no experience). Most all beers are dispensed with a mixed gas – CO2 & Nitrogen. Keep in mind nitrogen is largely insoluble into liquids so it doesn’t’ really penetrate into liquids – it’s used more as a propellant to distribute beer. What most people are using for stout beers is the mixed gas as well but they use a special stout tap. They have a restrictor plate inside the tap to create the tiny bubbles that look like the liquid is cascading in the glass (Guinness effect). It does change the mouth feel a bit which to the brain is interpreted as a slightly different/smoother taste. Left Hand Brewery offers a lot of their beers on tap (at their location) in both CO2 & Nitro – hands down I enjoyed the nitro beers better. I’m in the process of opening a shop – I plan to do a simple single tap cold brew nitro option. It’s fairly reasonable to get into, so I’m sure you could easily do it at farmers markets. Any beverage supply company that deals with soda/beer taps should be able to help you out. Down in KC we have a company called Foxx that could help you out: Store Home | Foxx Equipment Company | Wholesale Beverage Dispensing Products