Anyone keeping up with the caffeine world has noticed a new coffee brand launching to glowing reviews on Amazon: Stella Blue, owned by Dan Katz, a.k.a. Barstool Big Cat.
I have to start with a disclaimer. I and most of the Caffeine Shark team are BIG Barstool fans. Their podcasts (Macrodosing, Pardon My Take, Spittin’ Chiclets, The Yak) are the first thing most of us listen to on the way to work. I’ll professionally admit that Big Cat might be my favorite blogger, podcast host, and mustache wearer on the whole Barstool team.
However, I suffer from severe acid reflux every time I drink coffee. Every sip makes me dry heave like I swallowed a hot dog whole. Since I’ve built up zero tolerance and stuck mostly to energy drinks as an adult, I think my reflux will offset my fanboying and allow a review full of journalistic integrity.
The review
Editor’s note: The following was written after Tyler’s first cup.
The setting was perfect. The first Saturday over 45 degrees. A platter of fresh-baked scones and muffins. A good book, ready to start the day with a cup of coffee.
Everything I just said is a lie. In reality, I was recovering from Friday night with a McDonald’s sausage McGriddle, sitting on my couch, contemplating NyQuil to sort of veto my current reality (not medical advice). I can’t help but think Big Cat would be happy with the environment I chose for his product.
I had the Big Cat Medium Roast, black: no cream, no sugar. I tried to follow the instructions on quantities but felt eyeballing the grounds was the better path. And I was NOT disappointed.
First, my usual gagging with black coffee was a total non-issue. It went down smoothly. As for taste, I can’t come up with elegant adjectives because I suffer from smooth brain syndrome, so all I can say is it was refreshing. The perfect amount of bitter (the expected amount, not too much), with flavors you could taste on the finish. (I have zero idea what those flavors are, but they are THERE.)
Then came the after-feeling: a warm, comforting rush with each sip. I’ll be investigating this by running ten bags through a centrifuge.
Editor’s note: This expense report is definitely getting denied. Unless Big Cat wants to chip in for the centrifuge… which would be on brand after the lottery ball machine.
Last came the awake, alert feeling. As a man who damn near IVs caffeine daily, I admit I may be biased. What I can tell you is I recovered from my “predicament,” wasn’t jittery, and got a semblance of productivity out of the day.
The mission
On a serious note: Stella Blue is named after Big Cat’s dog, rescued from a Chicago shelter, and he’s pledged a portion of proceeds to help shelter dogs find forever homes. As a man who has loved dogs more than people my entire life (mostly because they put up with my ramblings), I love this mission and hope it finds a lot of success.
In conclusion, I loved the coffee. I’m giving it an unbiased 9.4/10. I can’t wait for new roasts.
Want to support Caffeine Shark, Big Cat, and Barstool all at once? Buy Stella Blue on Amazon through our affiliate link. Prefer your coffee canned? Here’s what the Sharks rate:
