Skip to main content

We hit the Coffee Brew Pipe and left Outdoor Retailer impressed and caffeinated

coffee brew pipe
Image used with permission by copyright holder
coffee brew pipe outdoor retailer awards

For this summer’s Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Digital Trends teamed up with The Manual to crown the latest and greatest outdoor gear as Best Of Show winners, along with two brand new awards going to the most innovative products. Head on over to The Manual to see the complete Outdoor Retailer Awards.

For most people, the piece of camping gear nearly as critical as a sleeping bag or tent is the one responsible for producing their daily cup of joe — no one likes waking up without access to some form of caffeine. A bevy of camping-friendly coffee devices already exist, but none are as inventive as the Coffee Brew Pipe.

Officially dubbed the Bripe (a portmanteau of brew and pipe), this unique coffee brewer made its triumphant debut at Outdoor Retailer this summer, demonstrated by Costa Rican co-founder Tim Panek. Its light weight and portability immediately set it apart from the portlier java-producing pack. Constructed out of copper and silver, the Bripe requires just a fire source (it comes with a butane-powered quad jet torch), coffee grounds, and water to create a small — yet strong — shot of coffee.

In addition to its copper and silver body, the Bripe also comes standard with a cork handle (to avoid burnt fingers), and an integrated thermometer that allows users to heat to the perfect brewing temperature (185 degrees), and also doubles as a stir stick. Each Bripe package also comes with a companion stand to allow users to easily set it down while they wait for it to cool to the preferred drinking temperature (140 degrees).

To make a shot of coffee, users simply insert the included variable filter into the Bripe, fill it with coffee grounds and water, and heat it with the torch until it reaches the desired temperature. After letting it cool, the brewed coffee is then ready to be enjoyed (sans grounds thanks to the filter) via its built-in straw.

After giving the Bripe a go for ourselves, its efficiency and ease of use made it quickly stand out to us as an incredibly innovative addition to any kind of camping kit. A straightforward device, the Bripe makes crafting a shot of coffee an intuitive experience. Weighing no more than a few ounces, holding the Coffee Brew Pipe for several minutes while heating its contents shouldn’t ever produce a strain — its cork-lined handle also helps prevent burns during the process.

How to use your Bripe - with inventor and co-founder Tim Panek

Perhaps the lone nitpick we had was that once our three-minute brew process completed, we needed to wait a few minutes for it to cool to the proper drinking temperature (listed above). Though we would’ve liked to have sucked down our java immediately, avoiding a scorched tongue was a bit of a higher priority. Once it did finally cool to our liking, the brewed shot of coffee was a strong, dark concoction that took a few swigs to finish but produced a hefty boost of energy — not unlike a straight shot of espresso. This convenience and efficiency would certainly be welcome while on the trail.

Currently, it’s only available in a select number of stores across the United States, but the Bripe team does have plans to offer its unique coffee system online soon. Once live, interested buyers need to shell just $85 to net a Bripe Coffee Brew Pipe, quad jet torch, reusable variable filter, thermometer, coffee tube for transporting grounds, and a compact carrying case.

Humans have been brewing coffee since the 10th century, but the Bripe proves there are still innovative new — and better — ways to do it on the go. That makes it a well-deserved winner of one of our Digital Trends Innovation Awards from this summer’s Outdoor Retailer.

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
Best grill deals: Summer savings on gas, charcoal, and pellet grills
People grilling outside.

Warm weather is here, and so is grilling season. Now is as good a time as any to set out in search of one of the best outdoor grills, and it’s never a bad time to keep an eye out for a discount on one as well. Whether you’re a grilling beginner ready for some burgers with the family or a seasoned pro looking to host summer gatherings around one of the best smart grills and smokers, we’ve tracked down all of the details you need to land a deal on a grill that’s right for your needs. Read onward for more details.
Everdure CUBE charcoal grill — $150, was $199

The Everdure CUBE charcoal grill is a unique little grill that can truly go almost anywhere with you. It’s lightweight and only 17-inches long, yet still can handle almost any grilling challenge a griller on the go could hope to throw at it. It has a built-in heat protection shield and chrome handles that remain cool while cooking, and the removable charcoal tray offers easy cleanup when you’re finished at the campground or on the beach. Wherever you intend to do some grilling this summer, the Everdure CUBE charcoal grill is a great option as a copilot.

Read more
Speed up your daily commute with these e-bike deals
ENGWE EP-2 Pro e-bike right side shot next to an unmowed field.

The best electric bikes have come a long way in recent years and we don't just mean in terms of the miles you travel. With technology changing quickly, there are also an increasing number of electric bike deals around and we've picked out some of the very best. Electric bikes are a great way of getting around more easily and without necessarily needing to use as much stamina as a regular bike. Below, you'll find fantastic e-bike bike deals from many different retailers. There'll be something for every need here. Let's take a look at them.
Jasion EB5 Electric Bike -- $430, was $750

With a 350w brushless motor, the Jasion EB5 Electric Bike can achieve a top speed of 20 MPH with a range of up to 25-40 miles per charge. It has four working modes with a PAS mode where the motor assists with a moderate amount of power as you pedal, along with a Pure Electric Mode, a Pedal Mode, and a Booster Mode where the bike assist on hills and anywhere else you might be struggling. 26-inch puncture-resistant tires provide excellent durability while there's a high-strength front fork suspension, Shimano 7-speed gears, dual lights, and an LCD display. The latter offers controls for adjustable backlight brightness with one of five levels, along with mode controls.

Read more
Jackery graduates from pioneer to sustainable master with latest launch
Jackery 2000 Plus used outdoors while camping

This content was produced in partnership with Jackery.
In 2012, at a critical time when sustainability efforts were ramping up everywhere, Jackery was born. The prevailing vision behind its creation was to provide accessible green energy to everyone. Years later, in 2016, Jackery launched the world's first outdoor-friendly portable power stations, and soon after, introduced the world's first portable solar panels. They would change many lives for the better but also transform an entire market that's now dedicated to green, sustainable energy solutions. Today, over 11 years later, Jackery is still going strong, and getting ready to launch one of its most advanced products to date, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus.

Ideal for outdoor applications, portability, and emergency backup usage, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus delivers some incredible features that honor Jackery's original mission -- "to make green energy accessible anytime and anywhere". More importantly, it offers safe and reliable power independence for all, thanks to a combined software and hardware defense system, which we'll explore in more detail below, and industry-leading fast-charge technology to get you working, playing, or back in the game as quickly as possible.
Learn More
 
Advanced technology for a better anywhere experience

Read more