Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
All-Inclusive Coffee:
Our Products:
Why are you focused on Cold Coffee, and not just Cold Brew?
At Commonwealth Joe, we focus on cold coffee because, while cold brew is the fastest-growing segment within the cold coffee category—and we’re great at it—we also recognize the popularity of other cold coffee beverages like iced coffee, cold-pressed espresso, iced lattes, and cold brew lattes. Our goal is to provide a full range of cold coffee options to meet the diverse tastes of today’s consumers. We specialize in offering these beverages in multi-serve formats, specifically designed for hospitality and commercial office accounts. By focusing exclusively on cold coffee for the foodservice and office sectors, we can truly excel in delivering high-quality, on-tap beverages, helping our partners offer the best cold coffee experience to their customers and teams. This specialization allows us to be exceptional at one thing—cold coffee.
What is Cold Brew? How is it different from Iced Coffee?
Cold brew is a unique style of coffee made by steeping coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours. At Commonwealth Joe, we steep our freshly roasted specialty beans in cold water for over 18 hours, allowing the natural flavors of the coffee to infuse fully without extracting the bitter compounds that are typically released during a hot brew. We take great care in the water we use, selecting a precise mineral composition to ensure the best flavor extraction.
Once brewed, we use an advanced six-step filtration process to meticulously remove any remaining coffee grounds, ensuring a clean, smooth finish. Finally, we infuse the cold brew with nitrogen, giving the beverage a naturally sweet, creamy texture and extending its freshness. This process results in a rich, bold, and smooth cup of coffee that needs no added sweeteners or creamers—just three simple ingredients: coffee, water, and nitrogen. Our cold brew is never heated, never treated—cold from birth for pure, smooth perfection in every sip.
In contrast, iced coffee is brewed hot and then cooled down by pouring it over ice. Because of the hot water extraction, iced coffee tends to have a more acidic and bitter flavor. Cold brew, on the other hand, is less acidic and naturally sweeter due to the cold water brewing method, which extracts the bold flavors of the coffee while leaving behind much of the bitterness.
Additionally, cold brew often has a higher caffeine content because of the long steeping time, making it a refreshing and strong option for coffee lovers seeking a smooth, mellow drink.
What is Nitro Cold Brew?
Nitro Cold Brew is a premium cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen gas to create a rich, creamy, and velvety texture. At Commonwealth Joe, our Nitro Cold Brew starts with our signature 18-hour cold brew process, followed by a meticulous six-step filtration, and then infused with high-purity nitrogen gas.
The infusion of nitrogen gives the coffee its naturally sweet, creamy texture without the need for added sweeteners or creamers. When poured from a stout faucet, it creates a cascading effect and forms a thick, foamy head, similar to a stout beer. This process enhances the mouthfeel, preserves the coffee’s freshness, and gives it a sweeter flavor perception.
Typically served on tap, Nitro Cold Brew offers a refreshing, smooth, and less acidic coffee experience that’s indulgent and satisfying—perfect for those seeking a bold, rich, and elevated cold coffee experience.
What is Cold Brew Concentrate vs Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Cold Brew?
The difference between Cold Brew Concentrate and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Cold Brew lies in how they’re served and consumed—and we provide both options to suit your needs.
Cold Brew Concentrate is a highly concentrated form of cold brew that needs to be diluted with water, milk, or another liquid before serving. It’s brewed at a higher coffee-to-water ratio, resulting in a stronger flavor. This option gives you the flexibility to adjust the strength of each serving, and we offer concentrates at different strength levels depending on your preference. With our Cold Brew Concentrate, you can create up to seven times the amount of the original concentrate, making it ideal for high-volume use in cafés, offices, or foodservice settings.
Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Cold Brew comes pre-diluted and is ready to serve straight from the keg, bottle, or box. No additional preparation is needed—just pour and enjoy. This option ensures consistency in flavor and strength, making it a convenient solution for businesses looking to serve cold brew with minimal effort.
Whether you prefer the ease of RTD cold brew or the flexibility of Cold Brew Concentrate, we have the perfect solution for your beverage program.
What is Cold-Pressed Espresso?
Cold-Pressed Espresso is a high-quality, convenient alternative to traditional espresso, designed for businesses that want to serve rich, smooth espresso drinks without the need for expensive equipment or barista expertise. Inspired by our signature Golden Horseshoe Espresso, which is expertly pulled at our award-winning café in Arlington, VA, we set out to replicate that same flavor in a more accessible format.
With Cold-Pressed Espresso, each ounce equals one shot of espresso, allowing you to easily craft drinks like iced lattes, Americanos, and even espresso martinis. It’s perfect for businesses with limited space or tight budgets, as it eliminates the need for large, costly machines. Simply shake, pour, and mix with water, milk, or plant-based alternatives to create a variety of espresso-based beverages in seconds.
This product is ideal for catering companies, bars, restaurants, and bakeries looking for a quick, portable solution that delivers consistent quality and flavor every time. Whether you’re running a mobile setup or a small venue, Cold-Pressed Espresso provides a cost-effective and space-saving way to offer premium espresso drinks.
Do you sell freshly-roasted coffee for making hot coffee?
Absolutely! While we’re best known for our cold coffee offerings, we’re also renowned for our freshly-roasted specialty coffee. After all, you can’t make great cold coffee without expertly roasted beans. At Commonwealth Joe, we’ve been roasting for over 20 years, starting with our founder’s mother, who roasted on a Diedrich IR-7.
We offer a variety of formats to meet your needs, including 12oz, 2lb, and 5lb bags, as well as custom fractional packs ranging from 1.75oz to 10oz. Whether you prefer whole bean coffee or need it ground to your specification, we provide the highest quality coffee tailored to your preferences. Reach out to explore our options and bring expertly roasted coffee to your business!
Do you sell any non-coffee beverages?
Yes, we offer a variety of non-coffee beverages in addition to our cold brew coffee. At Commonwealth Joe, we provide kombucha, iced tea, and seltzer, all available in convenient multi-serve formats. These beverages are perfect for adding variety to your beverage program, catering to different tastes, and offering refreshing alternatives to coffee for your team or customers. Whether you’re looking for a health-conscious option like kombucha or a light and bubbly seltzer, we’ve got you covered!
What sets your cold coffee apart from other brands?
At Commonwealth Joe, our cold coffee stands out due to our 20-year family tradition of roasting coffee with precision and care. We are vertically integrated, meaning we handle both the roasting and brewing in the same facility, ensuring the highest level of quality and consistency from start to finish. Our award-winning coffee shop in Arlington, VA keeps us grounded in hospitality, allowing us to stay connected to the customers we serve daily.
Our award-winning cold brew is available in a variety of formats—including kegs, boxes, shelf-stable jugs, and concentrates—making us adaptable to any business size or need. We focus on cold coffee specifically for the industries we serve, which is why we’ve become the best at it.
In addition to top-tier products, we offer outstanding customer support and an easy-to-use online B2B portal for seamless ordering. With Commonwealth Joe, you’re not just getting great coffee—you’re partnering with a team dedicated to helping your business succeed by delivering the very best cold coffee experience.
How long does your cold brew stay fresh?
For our refrigerated cold brews, the shelf life is 120 days from the brew date. For our shelf-stable cold coffee products, they stay fresh for up to 365 days. Always check the product packaging for specific storage instructions to ensure maximum freshness.
Services & Equipment:
What sets Commonwealth Joe apart from other office beverage services?
At Commonwealth Joe, we go beyond just providing coffee—we deliver a premium, hassle-free beverage experience tailored to your business needs. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Award-Winning Cold Brew: Our cold brew isn’t just another coffee—it’s meticulously crafted, using the finest beans roasted specifically for cold brewing. Our smooth, bold flavor profile has earned us recognition and rave reviews from customers across a variety of industries.
- Flexible, All-Inclusive Service Options: We offer a variety of flexible service models, from all-inclusive solutions that include equipment setup, line cleaning, and gas delivery for kegged beverages, to machineless solutions for businesses that need a streamlined cold brew program. Whether you’re a small business, a large corporate office, or a restaurant, we’ve got you covered.
- Versatile Product Range: We provide more than just cold brew. From kombucha, iced tea, and seltzer to cold brew lattes and espresso options, we offer a wide range of beverages to meet the diverse preferences of your team or customers.
- One-Stop Shop for Cold Coffee & Beverages: We provide nationwide distribution for our shelf-stable products and offer refrigerated distribution through our partnerships across 25 states. This ensures you get consistent, reliable access to our beverages, no matter your location
- Customer-Centric Support: With an intuitive online B2B portal for easy ordering and full customer support, we’re here to make sure your experience is seamless. From our expert team available for troubleshooting to flexible delivery options, we focus on making your beverage program easy to manage.
In short, we’re not just a coffee provider—we’re a partner in helping you create an exceptional beverage experience for your employees or customers.
What is included with CWJ's service?
If you’re seeking an all-inclusive service, Commonwealth Joe offers full support in markets where we have direct distribution, or through our distribution partners across 25 states. This service is designed for our dispensed products that require equipment, such as kegerators, and includes setup, line cleanings, gas deliveries (for kegs), and ongoing maintenance to ensure your cold brew system is always running smoothly.
For businesses looking to manage their own cold coffee program, you can order directly through our B2B online portal, where we’ll dropship the products to your location. Along with the products, we provide all the information you need to successfully set up and manage your cold coffee offerings in-house.
We offer both dispensed solutions and machineless solutions to meet your specific needs.
Do I have to purchase dispensing equipment from you, or will your products work in my existing dispensing equipment?
You don’t have to purchase dispensing equipment from us—our products are designed to work with a variety of existing dispensing systems. Whether you already have a kegerator, BUNN Nitron, Brood Dispenser, or another beverage dispensing setup, our kegs and boxed products are compatible with most industry-standard equipment.
However, if you need dispensing equipment, we offer full-dispensing solutions. We have a range of kegerators to meet your needs, including under-counter kegerators that hold up to 2 kegs, as well as larger options that hold 3, 4, or even 10 kegs. We also provide a countertop kegerator for businesses with limited space.
In fact, some of our products are machineless and don’t require any equipment at all! You can pour directly from the box or bottle and have the cold coffee you need without additional equipment.
If you have questions about equipment compatibility or need a recommendation, our team is happy to assist!
What size are CWJ's cold brew kegs?
We offer both 5-gallon and 15.5-gallon keg options, providing approximately 80-100 servings and 250-312 servings, respectively. For the 5-gallon (also known as a “sixtel”) kegs, we have options available in either stainless steel or recyclable plastic one-way kegs, depending on your needs.
In addition to kegs, we offer a full range of cold coffee products in boxed formats, available in sizes from 1.5L to 3.0L, 1.0 gallon, 3 gallon, and 5.0 gallon. We also provide products in shelf-stable jug formats, giving you versatile, ready-to-serve options to fit any service model or space.
Does the kegerator need a water hookup?
Do I need to refrigerate the cold brew?
It depends on the product.
- Our kegged cold brew requires refrigeration to maintain freshness and optimal flavor.
- We also have a line of premium boxed cold brew and cold brew concentrates that need refrigeration once opened.
- However, we offer shelf-stable boxed cold brews and cold brew concentrates that don’t require refrigeration, perfect for businesses without cold storage.
- Our jugs of cold brew and Cold-Pressed Espresso are both shelf-stable, meaning they can be stored at room temperature until opened.
Always check the product packaging for specific storage instructions. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
Can I customize my order sizes and delivery frequency?
Absolutely! We’re all about making the process as easy as possible for you. You can place one-time orders or set up recurring orders based on your needs. If you want a more tailored approach, you can also meet with an Account Manager to discuss options and create a customized plan that works for your business.
Ordering & Distribution:
What types of locations does Commonwealth Joe service?
Commonwealth Joe provides flexible beverage solutions that are perfect for a wide range of locations. In addition to corporate offices and coworking spaces, we also proudly service the foodservice and hospitality industries, including cafes, restaurants, bars, and hotels. No matter your space, we have a tailored package that can elevate your beverage offerings.
Here are some of the types of locations we serve:
Corporate Offices
Coworking Spaces
Cafes
Restaurants
Bars
Hotels
Apartment Buildings
Event Venues
Catering Companies
Which geographies does CWJ service?
Currently, our products are available throughout the United States. If you’re interested in our shelf-stable products, we offer nationwide coverage and can ship directly to your office, restaurant, or business location. For larger orders, we can arrange Less than Truckload (LTL) or Full Truckload (FTL) shipments to your warehouse.
For refrigerated products, we provide direct refrigerated distribution in the DC Metro, Baltimore, NYC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Northern California, and Southern California markets. We also have refrigerated distribution partnerships that service 25 states across the U.S. If you’re located outside these regions, feel free to reach out—there’s a strong chance we can make it work.
For international opportunities, please contact us directly. While international distribution is currently limited to our shelf-stable offerings, we’re happy to explore options based on volume and location.
Do you only sell to businesses directly, or do you also sell to resellers?
We do a ton of business with resellers and distributors, distributing our products across 25 states and dozens of cities. Many of our partners consistently tell us that “Commonwealth Joe is the easiest vendor to work with.” We offer mixed pallets with short lead times, arrange freight, and provide expedited orders when needed. We also offer software integrations, sales training for distributors, and National Account Management support.
We understand that many end customers prefer to consolidate vendors. If you’d like to purchase our cold brew and beverages through your existing foodservice distributor, there’s a good chance they already carry our products. However, if you prefer to buy directly from us, we’re more than happy to assist you with your order and ensure you get exactly what you need.
What is the lead time on your orders?
Lead times vary depending on the type of product you’re ordering:
- For cold chain products, expect a slightly longer lead time. We typically run delivery routes and service most locations at least 1-2 days per week. If we receive your order by 2pm the day prior, we can usually deliver the next day if it’s one of your scheduled route delivery days. Otherwise, we’ll deliver on your next standard delivery day.
- If you’re a distributor ordering full pallets from us, we generally ship out from our Beltsville, MD production facility within 1 week. Delivery to your facility will depend on transit time, typically 1-5 business days within the continental U.S.
- For shelf-stable products ordered through our B2B portal, we usually ship these out within 48 hours of receiving the order, with delivery typically within 2-3 business days. This means you can expect about 5 days total lead time from the time you place your order.
If you have any special delivery needs or questions about your order, feel free to reach out, and we’ll be happy to assist!
How do I qualify to use the B2B ordering portal?
To qualify for access to our B2B ordering portal, you need to be a business or organization looking to purchase cold coffee or beverage products in bulk for foodservice, hospitality, corporate offices, or other commercial use. Whether you’re a café, restaurant, corporate office, or distributor, we’ll review your application to ensure you meet the criteria for wholesale purchasing.
Simply submit your application through our website, and our team will review it within 48 business hours. Once approved, you’ll receive login credentials to the portal, giving you access to exclusive pricing, bulk order options, and an easy-to-use ordering platform to manage your beverage needs.