Coffee, Coffee, Coffee
I don't consider myself a coffee snob but I have no tolerance for instant coffee or bad coffee. In 1992 I found myself in the land of Nescafe, that is Spanish for No es cafe, and we had to quickly remedy our situation with a couple of coffee socks to make real coffee.
The next evolution happened in 1995 when I purchased a Whirley mug from Los Bagels in Arcata, CA. It is the same double wall mug that I use now with the snap off bottom. I stored a 3" riser tube between the walls and I could set the coffee sock on that. Next was to cut the handle off the coffee sock and curve the loop to fit in beside the riser tube. I used that for a month until on a Carson river trip I realized I could fasten the cone on the tube to simplify it all, Duh, the Brewmug was born.
I made a clean looking prototype and pulled it out at breakfast one morning at Otter Bar Lodge. There were 6 people sitting there and all said "I want one". I thought I was just solving one of my problems not realizing what I had stumbled onto. This was the first exposure and I was strongly advised to get a patent.That began the long process of secrecy, patent attorney, patent searches, , drawings, application, reapplication, non disclosure agreements, money, did I mention money? And finally a patent. All in all a fun educational process.
The patent searches revealed that many before me had tried to come up with compact personal coffee makers and most were complex Rube Goldbergish designs that were too costly and complex to ever make it to market. Hard to believe that I had invented the best and simplest coffee maker. I kept looking for the downside of this and there doesn't seem to be one. It has gained the approval of coffee buyers, and other hardcore consumers of premium coffee.
Once the business permits were obtained and a name chosen, I could make the mugs available to friends, and they quickly turned their friends on to them. Other friends have done reviews and articles about myself and the Brewmug story. I don't see myself as a businessman or the folks that buy them as customers. I do enjoy the word of mouth growth and the Brewmug speaking well for itself with no paid advertising.
Here is what Outside Editor has to say about the Brewmug.
The Brewmug Accessories By Hal Espen
The Brewmug
Nothing is more essential for true adventure than strong coffee. (God bless all of those who have given up caffeine and who still show up for the trip—or worse yet, how about those tea swillers? We'll never understand you, but we try to love you just the way you are—still, until we've had our morning fix, WE HATE YOU!)There are many nifty solutions for brewing a good cup in the backcountry, but it must be admitted that the technology generally tends to be overbuilt and clunky. But you won't find a more minimalist and elegant solution to the morning-jolt problem than Reg Lake's plain-jane Sunrise Moonrise Brewmug. Weighing in at seven ounces it's light, I can personally certify it's idiot-proof, and it works.
Operating on the tuck-everything-inside principle of a nested Russian doll, the Brew Mug is basically a big ol' plastic 16-ounce insulated mug with a snap-on top and base. Tucked inside the cup is a small plastic canister for storing ground coffee. Tucked up inside the bottom is the brains of the Brewmug, an ultralight filter tube outfitted with a permanent cloth filter and a transparent "view port" and steam vent. The Brewmug is a stable, lucid, and cleanly engineered java-delivery system.The final bonus is the pinch of legend that surrounds the Brewmug, thanks to its designer. Reg Lake is one of the pioneers of North American whitewater kayaking, and he owned the first true whitewater specialty store in Northern California when the sport was in its infancy. A well-known and charmingly witty teacher and guide with innumerable first descents to his credit, the Washington State-based explorer is a familiar presence at Otter Bar Kayak Lodge & School, the wilds of Chile, and the waters of Puget Sound. $20. http://www.brewmug.com
Thanks friends.
Reg
posted by Reg Lake @ 9:23 AM
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