DEER PARK, New York -- What started out as a way to stay awake on the road has turned into a full-fledged business for Chris Vetter, owner and founder of Sail Away Coffee.
In 2009, when he was touring with his band, he tasted a variety of coffee beans from all around the world.
"We were surrounded by great quality coffee, it was a total eye-opener," Vetter said. "Having that opportunity of touring Central America definitely opened my eyes up towards what true quality coffee tastes like."
Related: Bite into history at the McMansion, Long Island's fanciest McDonald's
Vetter wanted to bring these intense flavors back home, which sparked the idea of creating Sail Away Coffee during the summer of 2015.
"We just started doing farmers markets all across Long Island, teaching people what cold brew coffee was," said Vetter. "This was before anything of the sort was commercialized, and it was the first time people were seeing it, hearing it, and learning about it. We now sell nationwide."
The four core flavors of their nitro cold brew coffee are classic black, horchata, touch of sweet and sea salt caramel.
"The nitrogen fusion we add to the coffee gives it a nice creamy texture," Vetter said. "It gives it a nice frothy mouthfeel, and we also do seasonals throughout the year."
Related: Reel comeback: Sag Harbor Cinema, a survivor of fire and pandemic, welcomes moviegoers anew
Even though the company is based on Long Island, the company ships coffee across the country with subscription boxes and even has cold brew on tap at businesses throughout Long Island.
"It is a nonstop adventure week by week," said Vetter, who is having his busiest summer yet. "Every week has its new challenges, but this is what we love doing, and we love putting out a great product."
----------
Contact Community Journalist Alex Ciccarone