of people into being coffee drinkers through our cold brew because it is 70% less acidic and super smooth. Also, you do not need to add any sugars or creams, which makes it a healthier choice,” notes Henschel. By Anne McDonnell
With all the local brewing going on, it only makes sense that someone would come along and brew something other than beer. Enter The Steeping Giant, a coffee company that offers nitro cold brew coffee on tap for offices, restaurants, and cafes. Says CEO Joe Henschel, “We roast specifically for cold brew and use a unique brewing technique that provides the customer with the most fresh, clean, artisan cup of cold brew on the market.” The Steeping Giant started brewing cold brew coffee in the back of Mama Kat’s restaurant in San Marcos in 2016. “We were just looking for something different, and there were not a lot of people making cold brew at the time,” says Henschel. The company found that, specifically, the office coffee market was ready for cold brew coffee. “We started in one office building in Orange County, and then that one turned to five and so on. This opened the door to really make our mark on the office coffee culture when it came to cold brew coffee on tap. We saw a major opportunity to affect the culture of an office by offering cold brew coffee. The idea was for ‘water cooler 2.0.’” At the beginning of 2020 the company moved all of its operations to Vista, and it has since expanded at that location. “I was personally born and raised in Vista, and I always wanted to have a business in Vista,” says Henschel. “The location, and also the help from City officials and the community that we have found in Vista has been incredible,” Henschel says. The comradery among Vista busi-
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ness owners was especially important during recent lockdowns.“ We were able to come alongside other local businesses during Covid and help each other out,” he says. During Covid restrictions, The Steeping Giant introduced front-door delivery for individual coffee customers who were working from home. It’s this type of customer response that makes the company stand out. Says Henschel, “We look at our customers as partners and do not require contracts…. We make it easy to
setup and also make sure that people do not run out [of coffee].” The company brews ethically sourced, small batch coffee that begins with hand-picked artisanal beans. The distinct flavors come from signature brewing and filtering techniques that happen no later than 48 hours after roasting. “We have converted a lot
The Steeping Giant has partnered with dozens of businesses locally. “The local community has supported us by letting people know about who we are and also locking arms with us over the past few years. Being a part of a strong and growing community is a major driving force,” says Henschel. And this support also comes from happy customers: “We are like celebrities when we walk into an office building. Peoples’ faces light up knowing that we are getting them their caffeine fix.” The Steeping Giant 2588 Progress Street, Suite 16 Vista, CA 92081 760.544.2681 https://www.thesteepinggiant.com
