In a nation where the ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market is anticipated to expand from $6.46 billion in 2024 to $8.61 billion by 2029, the desire for a high-quality brew is evident. Many coffee lovers not only enjoy the convenience of portable options but also seek strong coffee drinks that help fuel their energy, creativity, and determination.
The dedicated team at Bizzy Cold Brew coffee recognizes that hard work can be taxing. This is why co-founders Alex French and Andrew Healy are committed to honoring and invigorating those hardworking individuals striving to achieve their goals. The brand has launched a nationwide monetary competition to recognize the “Bizzy’est Person in America.”
Known for creating exceptionally bold coffee, the founders at Bizzy Cold Brew are no strangers to bold endeavors. With a top prize of $50,000 and an additional $20,000 set aside for nominees, they have invited all “Bizzy bodies” to demonstrate their enthusiasm and ambition for a chance to win the competition—alongside cash and recognition. Award winners will also receive a year’s supply of smooth, robust Bizzy Cold Brew for themselves and up to five peers. Additionally, those who finish in fourth and fifth place will each be awarded a year’s worth of Bizzy Cold Brew as well.
In the following discussion, Bizzy Cold Brew’s Co-Founder and CEO Alex French shares insights into the reasons behind the competition and how the brand is establishing its presence in the RTD coffee industry.
AF: Our organic certified, ready-to-drink cold brew coffee can be found in over 7,500 grocery stores across the country, including retailers such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, Stop & Shop, H-E-B, Ralphs, Publix, and select Kroger locations. Additionally, our coarsely ground coffee and brew packets are available on Amazon, Walmart.com, and directly through the Bizzy Cold Brew website.
MK: Can you share the story behind the company’s inception?
AF: Driven by a genuine passion for coffee, my partner Andrew and I began brewing cold brew in our small apartment in Denver after tiring of high cafe prices. Using Andrew’s background in R&D Engineering, my experience in Consumer Research, and our shared enthusiasm for constant improvement, we aimed to create the best cold brew possible.
We examined every detail – from bean origin to roast profiles, grind size, brewing temperatures, time, filtration methods, packaging, and preservation. Eventually, we bottled our brew, offered samples to friends for feedback, and consistently refined our recipes each day.
After three years of extensive research, renting kitchen space, and bottling efforts, we decided to turn our passion into a business. Since then, Bizzy has thrived, boasting a full brewing facility, a dedicated team, and a network of cold brew enthusiasts. Today, several leading retailers, both physical and online, continue to showcase Bizzy Cold Brew on their shelves.
MK: Can you elaborate on your bean selection process and how the brewing method sets your coffee apart in a crowded market?
AF: Quality coffee starts with sourcing the best beans. After thorough research, we chose premium organic certified Arabica beans, ideal for cold brewing, sourced from some of the globe’s finest coffee-growing regions.
We process the beans by coarsely grinding and carefully sifting them for consistent size. We meticulously control the roasting process, adjusting various beans to different roast levels, cold brew, and taste-testing to determine the most flavorful combinations.
A critical aspect of our method is the steeping time. Our coffee is brewed for 18 hours and cold filtered, resulting in the most potent and flavorful coffee possible.
MK: Can you describe the differences within your range of roast profiles?
AF: Bizzy’s Light Roast showcases floral and citrus notes, and it is our highest caffeine option, containing 302 mg per serving.
The Breakfast Blend combines fruity, chocolatey, and toffee flavors, providing 275 mg of caffeine per serving.
Our Medium Roast features a blend of caramel and hazelnut notes, containing 277 mg of caffeine per serving.
Our Espresso Roast highlights chocolate, berry, and brown sugar flavors, with a caffeine level of 273 mg per serving.
No matter their flavor preferences, coffee lovers can find something to enjoy with Bizzy.
MK: There’s a lot of emphasis on grind size. How important is this in the brewing process?
AF: Achieving the ideal grind size is crucial for creating a high-quality, consistent cold brew, and Bizzy takes this very seriously. If the grind is too fine, the coffee can become over-extracted and bitter. Conversely, if it’s too coarse, the result may be under-extracted and sour.
Our precise grinding technique ensures an exact coarseness, yielding the perfect consistency for cold brewing.
MK: You’ve mentioned micro-sifting before. Can you explain this part of your process?
AF: Micro-sifting is a process that truly sets our coffee apart. After grinding, the beans are passed through multiple sieves to eliminate any irregular particle sizes, leaving us with the ideal cut for cold brewing. This technique guarantees a consistent, flavorful, and smooth cold brew experience.
MK: Are there any additional unique features that differentiate your coffee from competitors?
AF: Certainly. It’s the meticulous attention to detail in every phase that results in an extraordinary product. Starting with the water, we use reverse osmosis purification as a foundation for our excellent cold brew.
We closely monitor the infusion temperatures to ensure consistency between batches. While some might consider this rigorous, we understand that every small variable impacts the final product. Though it may be labor- and resource-intensive, we refuse to compromise on the quality of our cold brew.
Timing is critical in the brewing process. This is the fundamental idea behind cold brew coffee; time substitutes for heat. Each batch of Bizzy is brewed for 18 hours, a duration that significantly exceeds what many other cold brews undergo. Admittedly, it’s lengthy. However, it produces an exceptionally robust, smooth flavor with optimal caffeine content.
Furthermore, heat should not be involved in cold brew production. It contradicts the nature of cold brewing. The absence of thermal influence, combined with a prolonged steeping time, gives cold brew its distinct taste characteristics preferred over traditional hot coffee. Sweetness and a lower acidity emerge from this lack of heat, resulting in a strong, velvety cold brew.
MK: How is your business pursuing environmentally sustainable practices?
AF: In our relentless pursuit of excellence, our commitment extends beyond the quality of our product—though we certainly believe it is near perfection. While our cold brew is at the heart of our success, we are also continuously assessing and improving our adherence to sustainable practices. Data informs every aspect of our operations, including the formulation of our…
eco-friendly goals. Our commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and recycling all used coffee grounds by 2025, alongside our intent to eliminate plastic by 2030, is continually enhanced through regular evaluations and adjustments. We take pride in our transition to using bottles made entirely from 100% recycled consumer materials for our cold brew. Although the Bizzy “Brew Crew” is small, we are passionately dedicated to ongoing improvement every day.
MK: What inspired the creation of the Bizzy’est Person in America Contest?
AF: From the very beginning of our journey in 2013, we have honored aspirational energy. This contest is a tribute to those individuals whose unwavering enthusiasm and determination serve as sources of inspiration. The purpose of our competition is to celebrate the visionaries, trailblazers, challengers, and pioneers who pour their hearts into their ambitions. Ultimately, we aim to support those who embody Bizzy’s spirit—individuals with a fervent dedication to excellence in their pursuits.
MK: What do you hope participants will take away from the contest, and what does it signify for your company?
AF: The resolve and willingness to take risks have proven advantageous for my business partner Andrew and me, leading to our successful venture. While our path has been fraught with challenges that required immense effort, such dedication has allowed us to reach our entrepreneurial dreams. As recognition of our hard work, Ernst & Young honored us with the EY “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award in the Heartland region! Aspiring participants can submit their applications via our contest webpage – bizzycoldbrew.com/bpa – from June 1 to July 27, 2024. Following that, the public will have the opportunity to vote for the Bizzy’est Person in America from August 1 to August 22, 2024.
Bizzy is unwavering in its pursuit of excellence across all aspects. The company not only redefines the flavor profile of exceptional strong cold brew coffee but also champions and supports those who are relentlessly pursuing their dreams.
Image Source: BizzyColdBrew.com
