YOUR STORY
Coffee. It’s that sustaining elixir of life. However, for some it’s more. It’s not just the thing that gets us up in the morning – it’s how we belong. This is what Coffee has always been for me, a way of life.
My love for coffee came when I wanted to be a pastor. Coffee, seemed to be that one thing, that connected people together. Regardless of politics, religious ideas, hardships, joys, or whatever else that seems to divide us, coffee was and will always remain a common ground. Though I never continued to pursuit of pastordom, my love for coffee and how it unified people still remained.
In 2015, after my daughter was born, a business partner and I decided to start a coffee company – called The Hip Lion Coffee Co. Wanting to create something different from what was on the market, I decided to do some research. What I found is that everything was taken or had all been done before. Then I stumbled upon blogs on carbonated coffee (not nitrogen), what I read was an intense warning: STAY AWAY FROM CARBONATED COLD BREWED COFFEE!!
So, being me, I decided that’s what I would try. At first, it was disgusting. The blogs were right. Then after trial and error, trial and error, trial and error, BOOM! I figured it out. I figured out the right hours to cold brew the coffee, which bean roast worked best, and what needed to be done to get rid of the disgusting taste of the carbonation. We kegged, bottled, and distributed our product – called Coffee Pop to local markets, stores, and events.
Then we went separate ways. Different visions of the business. He had majority of ownership so he took the name of the company. I had the ingredients, recipes, etc – so I took those. In my clause, I was unable to do anything coffee related for 2 years. So, during this time I continued to learn and craft the art & science of the At Home Brew Method.
During this time, Life and I decided to go in a different direction. I started a craft soda company, named after my daughter. Where I learned to mix, create, and think of different recipes for craft sodas and spirit-free beverages. Became the training manager for the second best voted restaurant of Tampa, led by the only James Beard Chef (female too) of Tampa. Attempted E-Commerce to a degree (till dabbling there). But what brought this all together for me was coffee. Regardless, if I am planning and revising training material, leading my staff, coming up with a recipe for a craft soda or beverage, or trying to make a quick buck through a marketplace online – it has all centered around a cup of coffee.
FROM MY HEAD TO YOUR HANDS
My hope and attempt here is straightforward. To take all that I have gained and will continue to gain over the years and pass it onto you. Regardless, if you are new into this world, a coffee enthusiast, or in between – I believe there will be something for you. Something to make your coffee purchasing, understanding, and how-to easier.
THE GOAL OF COFFEE BREWS
The goal here, is two fold. First it’s to review different coffee beans and how-to guides (sometimes more than just coffee). Second, it’s to create a welcoming community where those who love and are learning to love coffee can come together to learn from each other.
Best Regards,
Corey J. Plummer