Coldstream Clear: From Chemistry Class to Canned Cocktail Success
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Coldstream Clear, a prominent player in Nova Scotia's growing beverage industry, originated in a chemistry lab at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus. Co-founder Riley Giffen recalls, “What started as a still to create bioethanol led me to realize I could adjust the method and distil drinkable alcohol. When I saw my friends and family start to genuinely enjoy what we made on a homemade scale, that’s when it piqued my interest - what would it take to do this officially? We had very modest expectations.”
But Giffen was clearly on to something. Coldstream Clear received overwhelming support from the community with customers travelling into the countryside, sometimes by 4-wheeler, to purchase products. This facilitated the opening of a larger retail space at Mastodon Ridge in 2016, marking a more professional setup and a significant step towards expansion.
A pivotal innovation for Coldstream Clear has been its ready-to-drink (RTD) products, offering consumers a refreshing alternative to traditional coolers. Giffen notes, “For years, coolers stuck to their traditional, heavily carbonated, sugar-packed form. We prioritized crafting a superior taste.” While competitors focused on cutting costs, Coldstream stayed true to quality ingredients and flavour.
However, the manual production process posed challenges, prompting the need for operational scaling. A lengthy road trip to Vermont resulted in the acquisition of second-hand canning equipment. This sped up production capabilities, accelerating Coldstream Clear to the forefront of the RTD market in Atlantic Canada, leading to export opportunities in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Ontario.
The company's growth is supported by initiatives like the Invest Nova Scotia Innovation Rebate Program, which facilitated significant investments crucial for its expansion. “Discovering Invest Nova Scotia in 2021 provided funding options for our expansion projects. Programs like the Innovation Rebate Program and guidance from Regional Business Development Advisor, Matthew Berrigan, have been instrumental in our growth.”
“There’s nothing quite like watching a garage-based business turn into a thriving enterprise now occupying a 50,000-square-foot facility in Truro, employing more 100 Nova Scotians across its operations,” says Berrigan. “In my role at Invest Nova Scotia, but also as a Truro and Colchester County community member, I’m proud to have played a part in Coldstream Clear’s growth and success.”
Strategically situated in Colchester, Nova Scotia, Coldstream Clear benefits from its central location, serving as a pivotal hub for economic activity. Giffen stands by his gut feeling that “Colchester was a natural choice due to its affordability and strategic location. Plus, it’s home for us. The community support has been crucial to our success, and the manageable market size of Nova Scotia has allowed us to thrive.”
Looking ahead, Coldstream Clear remains committed to its loyal following, connecting through social media with their team’s authentic energy and personality. With new products slated for release in May 2024 and plans to expand its products and presence in bars and restaurants, the brand continues to captivate consumers for all the right reasons. Giffen affirms, "Like in the beginning when operations were small, the loyalty, excitement and trust our customers place in us continue to drive our team. We don’t take it for granted; we are fully committed to doing the absolute best job with the support and trust they’ve placed in us."