DRINKS: 1369 COFFEE DELIVERY

Brewed, sealed, delivered, it’s yours

You won’t have to trek far for a cold brew this summer, thanks to the delivery bike program 1369 Coffee House in Cambridge starting in June until the fall.

Here’s how it works: 1369 will take standing orders that will be delivered on Wednesdays. They start the cold brewing process on Tuesday, which entails steeping coarsely ground coffee in filtered, cold water for 24 hours. At 1369, they make it a little strong to stand up to the ice.

On Wednesday bikes will set out from the Coffee House in Inman and Central Square with the 64-ounce jugs (aka growlers) to deliver super fresh iced-cold coffee to businesses or individuals.

Same day it’s brewed, you get it.

The first bottles ordered are $25 each; after that, you can exchange your bottle for $20 each. The iced coffee will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks and they are delivering in the Cambridge area only.

It’s a program Josh Gerber, the owner of 1369 Coffee Houses has wanted to do for a while, and with the help of Hannah Epstein they put something together that appeals to businesses and individuals alike.

“Our initial thought was that it would be great for small businesses,” Gerber says, noting the many start-ups and small businesses in the Cambridge area. “Something special for the staff” during the summer months. But he notes that there has been growing interest from individuals who want 1369 Coffee Houses’ delicious iced coffee, but “it’s just too far away.” He expects smaller orders, but nonetheless many from individuals.

“People like the ability to reach into the fridge” and voila, your iced coffee is served.

1369 Coffee House has been around before the days of Starbucks, opening in 1993 in Inman Square, and taking their name from a jazz club formerly at the same address. A year and a half later, they opened a second location in Central Square.

For 15 years, they’ve been serving their sought-after iced coffee, and striving to provide a “community café” environment to Cambridge.

“I’m super excited to bring their iced-coffee to businesses and homes,” Gerber says. He acknowledges that the city government has been very supportive of alternative business models, especially in terms of pop-up restaurants and creative food developments. The government support has enabled 1369 Coffee House to initiate the program, which Gerber points out, “People seem really psyched about.”