Cold Brew Is Not Just Cold Coffee
There is a common misconception that cold brew is simply hot coffee that has been cooled down and poured over ice. It is not. Cold brew is a fundamentally different brewing method that produces a fundamentally different drink. Understanding the distinction helps explain why cold brew on tap has become a fixture in specialty coffee shops -- and why it tastes so different from what comes out of a standard drip machine.
The process is straightforward: coarsely ground coffee steeps in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period, typically between 12 and 24 hours. No heat is involved at any point. The result is a coffee concentrate that can be served straight, diluted with water, or poured over ice. Because the extraction happens slowly and without heat, cold brew tends to be smoother, less acidic, and naturally sweeter than hot-brewed coffee.
According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), water temperature is one of the primary variables that affects extraction chemistry. Hot water extracts certain acids and bitter compounds more aggressively, while cold water favors a gentler extraction profile that emphasizes chocolate, nutty, and caramel notes. The result is a drink that many people find easier on the stomach and more approachable in flavor.
Why Tap Changes the Game
Serving cold brew from a tap -- rather than pouring it from a pitcher, bottle, or carafe -- is not just a visual flourish. The tap system serves a practical purpose that directly affects the quality of what ends up in the cup.
Cold brew stored in a keg is sealed from oxygen and light, two elements that degrade coffee flavor over time. Oxygen causes oxidation, which makes cold brew taste flat and stale. Light accelerates the same process. A sealed keg system keeps the coffee in an anaerobic environment, preserving the flavor profile of the original brew for significantly longer than an open container would.
The tap also provides a consistent pour. Every glass comes from the same batch at the same dilution and the same temperature. There is no guessing about whether the bottom of the pitcher is more concentrated than the top, or whether the ice has melted and watered things down. Tap cold brew is the same from the first pour to the last.
A sealed keg protects cold brew from the two things that ruin it fastest: oxygen and light. The tap is not a gimmick -- it is a preservation system.
The Nitrogen Factor
Some cold brew on tap is infused with nitrogen gas, creating what is commonly called nitro cold brew. Nitrogen gives the coffee a cascading, creamy texture similar to a stout beer, with a thick head of micro-bubbles and a velvety mouthfeel. Not all tap cold brew is nitrogenated -- standard cold brew on tap uses a pressurized keg without nitrogen -- but the infrastructure is the same.
Whether nitrogenated or not, the tap system is the key. It keeps the product fresher, more consistent, and better-tasting than any other storage method available in a cafe setting.
La Colombe Cold Brew at Pier 69 Market
Pier 69 Market at 10 Bay Ridge Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220 serves La Colombe cold brew on tap as part of its coffee program. La Colombe is a specialty roaster founded in Philadelphia in 1994. The company sources beans from producing regions across Central America, South America, and Africa, and operates roasting facilities that supply cafes and retail accounts nationwide.
La Colombe's cold brew is brewed in large batches using the company's own blend, then kegged for distribution to cafes. At Pier 69 Market, it comes straight from the tap -- no bottles, no pitchers, no pre-packaged cans. The same attention to sourcing and roasting that goes into the espresso program carries through to the cold brew.
For anyone who has only tried mass-market cold brew from a grocery store bottle, the difference from a fresh tap pour is substantial. Bottled cold brew has already been exposed to processing, pasteurization (in many cases), and weeks or months of shelf time. Tap cold brew is closer to the original product.
Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee: The Real Differences
The distinction between cold brew and iced coffee is worth spelling out clearly, because menus do not always make it obvious.
Iced coffee is regular hot-brewed coffee that has been cooled and poured over ice. The brewing method is identical to what produces a normal cup of drip coffee -- hot water passes through ground coffee, extracting flavor in a matter of minutes. The resulting liquid is then chilled. Because hot brewing extracts more acids, iced coffee tends to be brighter and more acidic than cold brew. It can also taste thin when ice dilutes it.
Cold brew uses time instead of heat. The long, cold extraction produces a concentrate that is naturally less acidic and more full-bodied. According to a widely cited study published in the journal Scientific Reports (2018), cold brew coffee has comparable caffeine content to hot brew but measurably lower titratable acidity, which correlates with the perception of a smoother taste.
Neither method is objectively better. They are different tools for different preferences. But if acidity bothers your stomach, or if you prefer a rounder, less sharp coffee flavor, cold brew is the better bet.
Caffeine Content
Cold brew concentrate is often more caffeinated per ounce than drip coffee because of the extended extraction time. However, cold brew is usually diluted before serving -- either with water or by the ice in the glass. The final caffeine content of a served glass of cold brew is typically comparable to or slightly higher than a same-size cup of drip coffee, depending on the dilution ratio.
At Pier 69 Market, the cold brew on tap is served at drinking strength, so you do not need to dilute it further. Order it straight over ice, or pair it with milk or cream to your preference.
When to Order Cold Brew
Cold brew is available year-round at Pier 69 Market, but it is especially well-suited to warm weather. Late spring through early fall -- when Bay Ridge's waterfront is at its best -- is prime cold brew season.
That said, cold brew is not exclusively a summer drink. The smooth, concentrated flavor makes it a good base for milk-based drinks in any season. Some people prefer cold brew over hot coffee simply because the taste profile suits them, regardless of the temperature outside.
A few scenarios where cold brew on tap is the right call:
- After a walk along Shore Road -- the waterfront promenade is steps from the cafe, and cold brew is the ideal reward after a morning walk
- With breakfast or brunch -- a glass of cold brew alongside a breakfast sandwich or Belgian waffles is a strong combination
- As an afternoon pickup -- the smooth caffeine delivery of cold brew gives a clean energy boost without the jitteriness that can come from espresso
- For delivery -- cold brew travels well since it is already cold and does not lose quality the way hot coffee does during transit; order through GetSauce
The Full Coffee Program
Cold brew on tap is one piece of a broader La Colombe coffee program at Pier 69 Market. The full espresso menu includes cortados and flat whites, cappuccinos, lattes, and standard espresso shots. The espresso drinks guide covers what distinguishes each drink and how to choose.
Beyond espresso, the cafe also serves Rishi tea -- a premium line that includes Earl Grey Green, Wild Thai Black, Chamomile, Hot Matcha Supreme, and Vanilla Chai Latte. For anyone who prefers tea or wants to alternate, the selection is equally thoughtful.
The cafe itself offers free WiFi, outdoor seating, and a neighborhood atmosphere that works for anything from a quick stop to a longer sit-down. Pier 69 Market is open Monday through Friday 6 AM to 9 PM and Saturday through Sunday 7 AM to 9 PM.
Finding Pier 69 Market
The cafe is located at 10 Bay Ridge Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220, near the intersection with Shore Road. The R train at Bay Ridge Avenue station is a short walk, and street parking is available on Bay Ridge Avenue and surrounding residential streets.
The waterfront location means you can combine a coffee stop with time along the Shore Road promenade, Owl's Head Park, or the American Veterans Memorial Pier. Call (718) 777-6969 with any questions, or browse the full menu online.
Try Cold Brew on Tap at Pier 69
La Colombe cold brew, poured fresh from the tap. 10 Bay Ridge Ave, Brooklyn.
