I Tried Wandering Bear Coffee and Here's What Happened

Have you ever found yourself rummaging through your kitchen in the morning, yearning for a quick yet high-quality cup of iced coffee to kick-start your day? 

As a busy mom of two and also training for a marathon, I've often wished for a convenient solution that doesn't compromise on the fresh, robust taste of a coffee-shop brew. The dilemma of time versus quality can feel like choosing between a peaceful morning run or a tantrum-free school drop-off. 

Enter Wandering Bear Iced Coffee. 

I have been seeing ads all over my Facebook feed for this coffee and recently decided to order some to see if it lives up to the hype.

In this blog post, I'll share with you my experience and if the coffee is worth ordering. 

About Wandering Bear Coffee

If you're looking for a delicious and convenient coffee option, Wandering Bear Coffee might be just what you need. 

This New York-based company offers a range of high-quality coffee products that are perfect for busy coffee lovers.

Company History

Wandering Bear Coffee was founded in 2014 by two friends, Matt Bachmann and Ben Gordon. The company started as a cold brew coffee stand at a farmers' market in New York City and quickly gained a following for its delicious and smooth coffee.

In 2016, Wandering Bear Coffee launched its first product line, which included cold brew coffee in a box. The company's products are now available in retailers across the United States (mainly on the East and West Coasts) as well as on Amazon and their own website.

My Experience and Review

As any busy parent can relate, I'm always on the hunt for shortcuts to simplify my day without compromising on quality. 

Whether it's a new workout routine on the Peloton or a family-friendly meal prepping hack, I'm all in.

 So, when I kept seeing ads on Facebook for Wandering Bear Iced Coffee, specifically their tantalizing Coconut flavor, it felt like the universe was sending me a sign. I love coconut iced coffee, so I knew I had to try it!

The promise of a convenient, coffee-shop quality brew right from my fridge was too good to pass up.

Ordering (or Attempting To)

With high hopes and a serious need for caffeine, I ventured onto their website, ready to place my order. But unfortunately, the Coconut flavor was nowhere to be found on the site. The dream of tropical coffee bliss was starting to seem more like a mirage.

After reaching out to customer service, they informed me that their seasonal flavors tend to sell out quickly - a testament to their popularity, but a disappointment for latecomers like myself, especially since they were running an ad campaign.

But I wasn't ready to abandon ship just yet.

 I decided to go with their Black Iced Coffee, hoping it could at least fill the void left by the elusive Coconut flavor. And oh boy, did it deliver!

Tasting the Coffee

Upon tasting it, the richness and depth of flavor were instantly noticeable. The smoothness was reminiscent of the cold brew from my favorite coffee shop, and it was certainly stronger than the coffee I whip up with my Nespresso. 

This wasn't just some off-the-shelf iced coffee; this was a high-quality brew that could hold its own.

Aside from the remarkable taste, the convenience of having this box in my fridge cannot be overstated. With a whopping 16 cups in each box, I found myself set for a good while. 

And the price tag?

 At $28.99 per box, each 16 oz pour works out to be just $1.81 - way cheaper than a trip to the coffee shop where I'm paying over $4 for a cup of cold brew.

So, despite the initial setback with the Coconut flavor, Wandering Bear's Black Iced Coffee has proven to be a worthy addition to my fridge, promising a quick, delicious start to my busy mornings.

Packaging and Design

Now, as a coffee lover, you and I both know that great taste is only part of the equation. We also care about the packaging, convenience, and, crucially, the freshness of our beloved brew. 

In these aspects, Wandering Bear doesn't just wander - it strides confidently.

The packaging design of Wandering Bear Iced Coffee screams modern, clean, and functional. The box itself has a minimalist vibe with a cheeky bear logo, clearly reflecting the brand's laid-back yet bold personality. It's also pretty compact, so it doesn't take up too much precious space in the fridge.

It's a fun addition to the fridge and a great conversation starter when friends drop by for a visit.

But the real show-stopper is the in-built tap. It's a game-changer for those of us accustomed to fumbling with jars and containers in the early morning hours. 

Just place the box in your fridge, and the tap is ready to dispense your fresh iced coffee whenever you need it. 

No fuss, no mess, just a steady stream of chilled, aromatic coffee at your fingertips.

Even better, the tap system ensures your coffee stays fresh for 30 days. That's right, a whole month of delicious coffee-shop quality cold brew right in your own home.

It's a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering quality and convenience hand in hand.

However, if you're thinking, "A whole box is too much for me," Wandering Bear has got you covered. They also offer single-serve options that provide the same quality brew in a smaller, equally convenient package. 

It's evident that Wandering Bear caters to all kinds of coffee drinkers, ensuring we all get to enjoy their exceptional coffee, regardless of our consumption habits.

All in all, Wandering Bear has thoughtfully designed its packaging to be as consumer-friendly as possible, making it easier than ever to enjoy a fresh, high-quality iced coffee at home, anytime you want. 

Convenience and quality - now that's a combination that's hard to resist!

Price and Value

When it comes to the cost of Wandering Bear Iced Coffee, I'll admit, the initial price tag might make you do a double take. But, when you consider the quality, convenience, and pure deliciousness of this coffee, the numbers begin to make sense.

Let's start with the basics: you can choose to buy individual boxes or opt for a bundle, where buying more saves you more. It's a neat option for the caffeine-obsessed among us, or if you're thinking of splitting the cost with a friend or two.

And let's not forget about the membership option. For a small annual fee, you're granted early access to sales and those enticing limited edition flavors. 

Imagine having first dibs on the holiday Peppermint Mocha or the tantalizing Coconut before everyone else!

As for the smaller quantities, they offer compact cartons and single serves, perfect for the occasional iced coffee drinker or if you're looking to add some variety to your caffeine routine.

And here's where it really pays off: their subscribe and save option. You can arrange for monthly deliveries of your favorite brew and save 10% while doing so.

The cherry on top? 

You don't have to fret about storage. Unopened coffee can be kept at room temperature until you're ready to indulge.

While Wandering Bear Iced Coffee may seem pricier than your average off-the-shelf iced coffee, the value you're getting in return is substantial. This is a high-end, coffee shop quality brew, conveniently boxed and ready to pour whenever you need that caffeine fix. 

Factor in the taste, convenience, and the variety of options available, and you've got yourself a pretty sweet deal. 

Flavors

Currently Wandering Bear has the following flavors available:

Straight Black

Vanilla

Caramel

Mocha

Hazlenut

Decaf

Dirty Vanilla Chai

Peppermint Mocha (seasonal)

Pumpkin Spice (seasonal)

Almond Armaretto (seasonal)

Toasted Coconut (seasonal)

They're always adding new seasonal flavors to the rotation so keep an eye on their website.

Pros and Cons

Let's boil down my Wandering Bear Iced Coffee experience into a list of pros and cons to help you decide whether it's right for you:

Pros

Here are a few pros of Wandering Bear coffee:

Quality

The coffee itself is top-notch. It's smooth, strong, and delivers a flavorful punch that rivals a coffee shop cold brew.

Convenience

The fridge-ready box with a built-in tap means you have fresh iced coffee on demand, whenever you need it.

Packaging

It's fun and modern, adding a little whimsy to your refrigerator landscape. Plus it doesn't take up too much space!

Freshness

The tap system ensures your coffee stays fresh for up to 30 days once opened.

Serving Size Options

From a hefty 96 oz box to 32 oz cartons and 12 oz single serves, they cater to a variety of needs.

Value

Despite the higher initial cost, the per-serving price rivals that of many premium coffees.

Membership Benefits

Early access to sales, secret menu items, and limited edition flavors.

Storage

The coffee doesn't need to be refrigerated until it's ready to use, saving you valuable fridge space.

Cons

While there are a lot of pros, let's take a look at a few of the cons of Wandering Bear Coffee.

Seasonal Flavors Availability

Their limited edition flavors sell out quickly. This might be disappointing if you're eager to try a specific flavor, though membership can alleviate this problem.

Price

For some, the initial price might seem high, although the overall value considering quality, convenience, and per-serving cost is excellent.

Website Navigation

While this didn't affect my overall experience, the initial difficulty finding the desired flavor on their site is worth mentioning, especially since they're advertising it.

Overall, I found the pros significantly outweigh the cons. 

Wandering Bear Iced Coffee is a quality product that offers an excellent balance of convenience, taste, and value, especially for those of us who crave a good cup of iced coffee to kick-start our busy days.

The Verdict

To wrap it all up, my experience with Wandering Bear Iced Coffee has been overwhelmingly positive. 

Despite some initial hiccups in the ordering process and a higher-than-average price tag, the taste, quality, and convenience offered by Wandering Bear make it a clear winner in my book. 

The fun, eco-friendly packaging and the ease of having a fresh, delicious iced coffee on tap right from my fridge far outweigh the cons.

And let's not forget about the excellent value you get in the long run, not just in terms of cost per serving but also the time and energy saved from brewing or making that daily coffee shop run. 

Plus, with the additional benefits of the membership, Wandering Bear makes it easy for all coffee enthusiasts to enjoy premium, coffee-shop quality cold brew from the comfort of their own homes.

So if you're in the market for a convenient, high-quality iced coffee solution, I recommend giving Wandering Bear a try. 

After all, who wouldn't want to start their day off on the right paw... I mean, foot?

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