Brew it Forward

I think we can all agree that Iron Bean is some pretty amazing coffee, so many delicious roasts; it’s truly difficult to decide which one to brew. It’s coffee so good that you just have to share it, and that’s where Brew it Forward comes in!

Brew it Forward was inspired by the Italian tradition of ‘suspended coffee’ or Caffè sospeso. Suspended coffee is the act of paying for a coffee in advance as an anonymous act of charity. A poor person or someone down on their luck could later walk into the coffee shop and inquire after a sospeso and be served a cup of coffee for free. It’s unknown how old the practice truly is but it’s believed to be over 100 years old.  It’s a small gesture but it can go a long way and can truly warm the soul. Chanell and Fred always dreamed of promoting this act of kindness in their eventual coffee shop. When their initial coffee shop dreams didn’t happen and they started instead with selling coffee online, they were determined to promote this idea still and the Brew it Forward campaign was launched. 

Giving back is a huge part of what makes up Iron Bean Coffee Company and they want to encourage this in their fans as well. It isn't an obligation though! Giving is something that should never be forced and should always come from the right place. Give what you can when you can and you'll be surprised how that generosity will find it's way back to you. Many in the nation have been blessed with Brew it Forward bags or other goodies and they're small tokens that make that coffee delivery so much more special than just an order delivered.

There are two ways to take part in Brew it Forward. First you can purchase 4oz Brew it Forward bags from the website and have them shipped directly to you. This is the best option if you want to physically hand them out to friends, family, postal workers, coworkers, etc. Share the love! The sample bags have enough coffee for several cups of goodness. That sharing can create a connection and start a conversation, giving always comes back to us in some form.

The second way to give falls more in line with the traditional practice of suspended coffee. When purchasing the Brew it Forward bags add a note to your order that you would like the bags held for future orders and given out at random. This note will ensure that the bags aren’t sent directly to you, but are placed in random orders and given anonymously. You can add just a bag or two to your regular order; just make sure to include a note. Something like “please hold the Brew it Forward bags for future orders” will suffice. That little bag of coffee can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. 

To encourage everyone to participate and help educate on how to send Brew it Forward bags I want to kick off a contest! From today until May 7th any Anonymous Brew it Forward sent will equal 1 entry. So one entry per bag sent. To participate just add a Brew it Forward bag to your regular order and add a note at check out (see example above). To enter send a screen shot of your order note to danielle@cookyluvs.com or to Danielle via FB messenger. Remember that in order to count as an entry the Brew it Forward must be held back to be sent anonymously. The prize up for grabs will be a Toon mug! If you missed out on this mug then you definitely don't want to miss out on this contest!

These two embody what giving truly means so the mug featuring them is the perfect prize. There will be a drawing for the mug on May 10th. The Iron Bean Nation is full of so many generous people already so let's keep it going! Remember it's never an obligation but adding a Brew it Forward bag to your order here and there when you can is a great way to give. Receiving one in your order is a great feeling that many of us can attest to! You never know who your bag will go to and who's day you'll be able to brighten :) Keep on Brewing it Forward!