Devil Dog Brew - An Introduction

Marines always appreciate a superb cup of coffee and they will go to great lengths to obtain one. Honing their skills on the rifle range in sub zero weather, cutting through the dense jungles on patrol, traversing bitter rugged mountains, Marines are on watch. Devil Dog Brew is my toast to the finest fighting force in the world.

I’m finally home. After serving 21 years in the Marine Corps, it’s time to come back and spend those birthdays, Thanksgivings, and each and every Christmas with family and loved ones. Yes, my wife, three sons and I were stationed in practically every clime and place. My family and I were richly blessed with a great and wonderful life in the Marine Corps.

For those that don’t know, the legendary Teufel Hunden, the Devil Dog, is a feared and revered reference to the fiercest fighting force in the world - The United States Marines. My brother, some very close friends, and I created Devil Dog Brew to honor our military. We dark roast our premium gourmet coffee with the very best 100% Arabica beans. Marines don’t always have the opportunity to get the best coffee but they certainly deserve it. A portion of our proceeds from this labor of love goes to support the brave men and women who serve in the Marine Corps and to their families.

What Hank Knows About Coffee
In the earlier days when I was a young enlisted Marine I took great offense at merchants trying to pawn poor or inferior products on me because I was in the military. Near the bases, those of us who’ve served, have had the experience of disreputable businesses that prey on the newly initiated into the military and their families… inflated interest rates on car loans, etc.. Today it still makes me angry to think about it.

That attitude offended me when I was on active duty and as a retired Marine I don’t want anything to do with it. My interest in coffee begins with the fact that I’m a coffee drinker. I drink coffee every day. Most generally I drink my coffee black, sometimes with a heavy cream, and sometimes I’ll add dark chocolate. When I’m on the road I still like to get a hot mocha at a local coffee house. I used to joke that I like my coffee as I like my women: dark and bitter. But the truth is that I don’t want a bitter taste and my wife, well, she’s a peach. I loved coffee so much that I’d rebrew old grinds in the field rather than going without. Those days may be behind me now but truth be told, if pressed, I’d probably do it again without much thought.

I’ve educated myself to understand, “What’s the difference between a good cup of coffee and a bad cup of coffee?” Anyone who drinks coffee on a regular basis knows when a cup is good or bad but I wanted to know why. Why is it sometimes that a cup of coffee just tastes awful? What I’ve come to find out is that there’s much you can tell from the label. When you see 100% pure coffee on a bag it’s meaningless. Okay, so it’s coffee but is it good? Blends that don’t tell you what they are, are often robustas or inferior beans that are blended to try to get by - often they’re bitter and leave your mouth with a harsh aftertaste. 100% Arabica is an indication that you’ve got a quality bean and from a reputable roaster it’s a good start. Roasting itself, however, is extremely important. My roaster is my friend and mentor. We’ve traveled together, played Panamanian gin together with our wives, and of course we drink coffee together. Our family has traveled together touring coffee plantations and he’s taught me the process of “cupping” coffee or taste testing.

The first secret of making a perfect cup of coffee is ensuring what you are buying is freshly roasted and properly packed. When coffee is packed freshly roasted it lets off a natural gas. Freshly packed coffee has to have an air value on the bag. If it doesn’t it’s not really fresh. I can take one of our freshly roasted beans, pop it in my mouth, and eat it just like it is. The whole roasting process is exciting.

Another secret is to use fresh, filtered cold water, depending where you live. I don’t bother doing that at my house because our water is just fine but when I travel sometimes I’ll use bottled water if the local source isn’t satisfactory. Also, storing it in an airtight container in a cool dry place keeps it fresh.

I like my coffee strong and usually two (2) table spoons to six (6) fluid ounces works just fine.

I drink coffee every day. I drink what we sell and I’m telling you it’s the best.

Devil Dog Brew

Majestic mountains precious sun
Our coffee’s life has just begun
Perfect rain and fertile soil
Grand elixir of this toil

Hand-picked and master roasted
Dark, bold, and richly toasted
To the Faithful in the Corps
Their friends and family whom I adore

Semper Fi,
Hank