Coffee

Ultralight Java Drip by Black Rifle Coffee Company

Do you want the manly feeling of drinking cowboy coffee in the morning without all the grounds at the bottom of your cup? Then the Black Rifle Coffee Java Drip is your ticket!

The Ultralight Java Drip weighs less than .5 ounces and comes in an ultra-compact design that nests under any standard fuel cartridge. Pack light without compromising you freedom fuel!

Instructions:

Add coffee 1/16 coffee to water ratio or 1 tablespoon per 6 ounces of water
Soak grinds and bloom for 30 seconds.
Add water just off boil
Remove Java Drip
Enjoy!!!

Get yours today at Black Rifle Coffee Company

Battle Grounds Coffee Company – Grinding It

Reviewing coffee seemed like an interesting concept. Its something I’ve never done before but I sure do enjoy drinking coffee. Who doesn’t start their day with heart racing levels of caffeine? I know I can’t. Battle Grounds Coffee Company was kind enough to send me three different blends in bean form. I never tried grinding my own beans but was curious to see the difference. To capitalize on that I also used a French Press over a Mr. Coffee after hearing good things. Battle Grounds Coffee sent me Day Breacher. White Knuckle, and Hold Fast. For reference, I like my coffee like I like my Ops, Black. No sugar or creamer, or other poppycock horseshit was added, except for whiskey on late nights.

Hold Fast

I love dark coffee. I like being punched in the mouth with every sip and Hold Fast was my favorite of the three. Hold Fast has a rich flavor that’s somewhat chocolate like, like a bar of bitter chocolate. Chocolate mixed with tobacco maybe is the best way to describe it. This has been my morning go to and I use it to wake up and get moving. This Battle Grounds Coffee mixes the best with the aforementioned whiskey. Its what’s in my cup as we speak, or type, or whatever.

White Knuckle

White knuckle is an espresso blend which knew to me. Making an espresso correctly apparently, I needed some new tools. I borrowed an Aeropress Espresso maker and learned the ins and out of espresso and White Knuckle is certainly a caffeinated beast. This one tastes a lot like chocolate and it very smooth. I found out if you make it correctly it won’t be bitter, and that was a plus. My niche for this coffee was my project coffee. Need to finish something quickly with good focus? A double shot of White Knuckle. Got to get a story done? Need to finish an 80 lower build? Have to workout? Hit that White Knuckle and ride the Battle Grounds rollercoaster.

Day Breacher

Battle Grounds Coffee Day Breacher is appropriately named. I find it to be my midday cup of coffee. Day Breacher is not a kick in the mouth or a shot of espresso. This is just a deliciously smooth coffee. It’s sweet enough that even the “it needs a creamer” people in my life enjoyed it, before promptly turning it into a caramel/french vanilla abomination. Day Breacher naturally somewhat sweet and enjoyable just for a midday crash coffee. It’s a light brew with just a little kick to it. Day Breacher is great if you are a medium to light brew drinker, while I like my coffee darker the Day Breacher was still tasty and enjoyable.

Who Is Battle Grounds Coffee?

Battle Grounds Coffee is a Navy SEAL owned business that not only makes coffee to ship but owns a coffee shop. The owners, Salvatore and Dana DeFranco started the company in 2016 and have paired with numerous charities for both veteran and the homeless.

They are a premium coffee roaster and their brand shows it. The bags they package their coffee in are quite robust and airtight. I’ve had the coffee for over a month and have detected zero difference in flavor or aroma. This is perfect for people who like to stash coffee and experiment with different flavors and roasts.

You can give them a look here.

Yeti Rambler Lowball: The best campfire companion a man can ask for

The quarrel between Yeti and the NRA made the news roundup several months ago and spurred quite an outcry from the pro-gun community. It began when the Yeti revoked their discounting program for the NRA. The NRA publicly denounced Yeti’s business decision and some NRA supporters proceeded to shoot or blow up their Yeti coolers in protest. Both organizations have offered conflicting official statements regarding the situation.

While some may be scratching their heads about the perceived plight, I find myself indifferent. I am a big fan of Yeti products because of their performance and own several of their Ramblers in different sizes. I picked up their Rambler Lowball before a camping trip last year and it has since become my best campfire companion. I use my Lowball for just all of my beverages while outdoors. The Lowball is the perfect size for hot coffee in the morning and either a cold beer or bourbon on the rocks at night.

Specifications

–Dimensions: 4.125” × 3.5″
–Weight: 9.5 oz
–Material: 18/8 stainless steel

The Rambler Lowball is a double-wall vacuum insulated drinking cup. What that means is the Lowball will keep your hot beverages hot and your cold beverages cold for a longer period of time. It also means your drink won’t sweat on the outside nor feel hot or cold to the touch. A quick rinse of the stainless steel cup ensures that it won’t collect any unwanted tastes in-between uses until you can give it a proper wash at home. These features alone make the Lowball the perfect drinkware. A 10 oz cup might be too small to be used as a travel mug (although you could use it for one), but it does live up to its hype as the perfect drinking companion for the campfire. If I had to force myself to find a con, the only gripe I might have is the standard lid for the Lowball is an open lid, however, Yeti does offer a closeable lid you can buy separately (see the MagSlider). At the time of writing this article, the Yeti Rambler Lowball has an MSRP of $19.99 and comes in a variety of different colors.

All photos courtesy of the author, Matt Jin

Planetary Design Double Shot Coffee Mug And French Press

It has long been joked that the US military is fueled by caffeine and misanthropy. While not exactly the whole truth, there is no denying that if you’re reading this article on this website, you’re probably in the category of “massive caffeine consumer”. The fact is, the vast majority of Veterans, Law Enforcement and sportsmen enjoy their cup of morning stimulants. Planetary Design is bringing us their Double Shot coffee mug with a built-in french press, angling to provide us with a better way to drink a cuppa’ joe while on the go.

The Double Shot is constructed from double-walled, restaurant-grade stainless steel. The walls are vacuum-sealed to provide excellent insulation, keeping your drink at the right temperature. The plunger uses BPA-free plastic and a stainless mesh filter. The mesh is fine, designed for “french press” ground coffee, which is a little more coarse than standard drip coffee grind. The lid rotates to cover the drinking hole and vent hole. It is definitely leak resistant, though not completely leak-proof. Capacity is listed at 14 fl oz. A spare non-press lid is provided as well.

The Double Shot is named such because of the secret compartment in the bottom, which holds an extra stash of coffee grounds, tea, hot cocoa or a shot of whiskey to spice up your java. If you’re on the road and don’t want to buy weak and/or burned gas station coffee, use the hidden cache of caffeine and go grab some hot water from in the shop. Likewise, if you’re in the field, heating up some water and brewing your morning pick-me-up in the same mug you’re going to drink it in saves equipment, space, complexity and time.

If you’ve used a french press before, the Double Shot will be instantly familiar. If you haven’t, using it couldn’t be easier. Open your cup, toss in some coffee grounds. Add “nearly” boiling water, stir and place the lid/press back on (but don’t push down the plunger yet). Wait about four minutes and then depress the plunger. Once the bean juice is down below “face melting” temperature, enjoy.

In theory, the Double Shot looks good: insulated mug, built-in french press, secret compartment for spy documents… That reads like a wish list for James Bond’s to-go cup. In practice, making coffee in the Double Shot is just as easy as it should be. Improve the quality of coffee you’re drinking. Reduce the amount of equipment you need to make said coffee. Also, french press coffee tastes superior to standard coffee-pot quality joe. Make it, keep it hot, make some more. All in one package. Planetary Designs is selling the Double Shot for $25.49, a good price for a do-it-all product. Check it out!

How to Make Coffee with the BRCC Collapsible Pour Over Coffee Device

A good quality cup of coffee is a must in the mornings. I’ve been a longtime supporter of Black Rifle Coffee Company and am a member of their coffee club. Sometimes though, when traveling it’s a bit of a challenge to get a good cup of coffee in your hotel or rental house. With a bag of your favorite BRCC coffee blend, this pour over device and the filters, you now have a mobile option for great coffee when traveling. Take my money, BRCC!

“We’ve experimented with a lot of coffee-making equipment over the last few years. There is some great gear out there. But, if you want something truly done right, you just have to do it yourself sometimes.

So, here it is- the BRCC Collapsible Pour Over Device. It’s designed exclusively for our premium Black Rifle Coffee. Use it with our BRCC specific filters for the best brewing experience possible.

The BRCC Collapsible Pour Over Device is made of high-grade aluminum. It can be broken down into individual pieces for easy transport and rapid deployment.” – Black Rifle Coffee Company

For more information and to purchase

Grinds: An Alternative to Chewing Tobacco

Grinds | A Healthy Alternative to Tobacco

I still remember the first time I tried dip. I had passed basic training (Army), AIT, and was in the middle of airborne school at Ft. Benning (GA). We had completed all necessary training before our first jump. The following day was scheduled as our first of five jumps needed to graduate Airborne school. I was nervous, I had never jumped out of a plane. If I am to be honest, the only reason why I was in Airborne school was that it was a prerequisite for RIP (renamed to RASP) which would eventually lead to a place in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Even after getting to 2nd Ranger Battalion I only ever enjoyed one jump, and it was into a lake.

I digress. As I paced nervously around the tiny barracks room, another solider (also on his way to tryout for the 75th Ranger Regiment) called over in his southern accent, “Dang it Robert, you keep walking like that you are gonna wear a hole in the floor”. I couldn’t understand how he could be so calm. I walked over and asked him. He responded, not with words, but by reaching into his BDU pocket and pulling out a can of Copenhagen. He explained the process of dipping to me, and how it kept him calm. F&*k it I thought, and gave it a try.

He was right, I was calm and felt amazing. I remember the black hats (cadre in charge at Airborne school) yelling, “outbound personnel stand up”, so I stood up with my whole cheek packed with Copenhagen. We went through the standard routine for jumping; hooking up, equipment check, sounding off, spacing out slightly, the 1 min, 30 seconds, and the green light. I jumped free of the C130 transporting us, and upon the opening shock of the parachute all the dip that was in my mouth promptly left and coated the front of my uniform. I didn’t care, and it was awesome.

It wasn’t until after my military career that I decided that I needed to stop dipping. The largest deciding factor, kids. I wanted to be around when they got older, and I also didn’t want to promote a bad habit. I kicked the habit, but it always lingered there waiting for me to welcome it back. This couldn’t be it, there had to be something like dip without the harsh consequences.

The answer was Grinds. Their website explains grinds as, “grinds, or grinds coffee pouches, are small pouches of flavored coffee that can help you feel sharp and focused throughout the day or night. Each is packed with plenty of B-Vitamins for energy and other important nutrients to keep you bright and alert” (getgrinds.com).

Basically, they use small punches (similar to ones used for dip), pack them with coffee (and flavor), and you can dip without tobacco or nicotine. Yes, no tobacco, no nicotine. However, because they use coffee (which is a stimulant) you get a very similar buzz to actual dip. Each pouch is the equivalent to about 1/4 cup of coffee. You can spit (just like dip), or swallow it without concern of causing harm.

The guys who invented grinds did so after trying to dip coffee in college. After some trial and error, they were able to market their product as a safe alternative to chewing tobacco. With this focus (safe alternative) they have found a market in baseball, the military, and anyone looking to kick the chewing habit. They even did an appearance on the TV show Shark Tank (a show where business owners pitch ideas to investors that have the ability to make them offers on the spot).

Currently, Grinds come in six flavors: caramel, cinnamon roll, mint-chocolate, peppermint, vanilla, and mocha. There are several ways that you can purchase this product. You can do a 3-pack sampler, 6-pack sampler, single flavor [3,6,10,20] pack. You can also set up a Grinds subscription which will automatically ship out a pre-selected amount of cans at a frequency that you can customize. They also offer clothing merchandise if you are so inclined.

I know how hard it is for barrel-chested, steely eyed freedom fighters to give up their vices, but eventually, bad habits will catch you in the end. This is a safe alternative to chewing tobacco that anyone trying to quit should definitely try. Even if you aren’t trying to quit, this product is a great workaround for tobacco-free campuses. The can has clearly labeled NO TOBACCO, NO NICOTINE, this is not a tobacco product, which should be enough if you are challenged about chewing.

These also make great aids for hunting, or while you are in the outdoors. No more needing to pack a small camp stove, or Jetboil to make yourself some coffee while deep in the woods. Simply pop one of these guys in and start your morning off right, with caffeine.

You can get your own Grinds here.