Food+Drink

Hiker’s Brew Keeps It Fresh

locally packaged coffee company under new leadership

Steph Mickelson |

Hiker’s Brew is focused on “creating sustainable coffee you can be proud to take on your next outdoor adventure.”
Hiker’s Brew is focused on “creating sustainable coffee you can be proud to take on your next outdoor adventure.”

What started as a passion project for Zach Pecha while he was attending college at UW-Eau Claire has become a full-time job at a company that he will run with his girlfriend Addy Serum. Hiker’s Brew, a coffee company focused on “creating sustainable coffee that you can be proud to take on your next outdoor adventure,” is undergoing a few exciting changes in 2020, including a new logo, outside sales reps, and wider product distribution.

Also in 2020, Addy will step into her full-time roll in Marketing and PR for Hiker’s Brew.

“People want to see a change in how goods are packaged. They want to support great causes and be a part of something that will help the greater good.” – Zach Pecha, Hiker’s Brew

“She has been the biggest supporter of Hiker’s Brew since the beginning, putting in countless hours serving coffee, running our social media pages, packaging thousands of pouches for customer, and so much more,” Zach said.

Hiker’s Brew’s mission is to promote sustainability within the outdoor and food packaging industries by attracting customers to a sustainable future and challenging other businesses to go sustainable. To achieve this mission, they offer small compostable packaging that keeps coffee fresh, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to take it with them anywhere to brew fresh coffee on the go. When they’re finished, they can compost the grounds and packaging.

Along with the New Year will come a new, fresh look for the Hiker’s Brew product. Josh Smeltzer and the Draft Design House team in downtown Eau Claire designed a new logo and new packaging that Zach hopes customers will see and “be inspired to get outside and go on their next big adventure.”

The new logo, while similar to the previous logo, has an updated look with cleaner symmetrical lines reminiscent of a patch similar to those found on backpacking gear.

Another exciting change coming in 2020 is the addition of another distributor out of Minneapolis along with two additional sales reps who would represent Hiker’s Brew on the West Coast and in the Mid-South. This would bring the total number of states where outdoor enthusiasts can find Hiker’s Brew to 13, leading to its availability in hundreds of outdoor stores. They also have some incredible partnerships and projects coming up with some large brands in the outdoor industry.

People have definitely responded to Hiker’s Brew and its mission.

“People want to see a change in how goods are packaged,” Zach said. “They want to support great causes and be a part of something that will help the greater good.” In addition to sustainable packaging and delicious coffee, with each purchase Hiker’s Brew donates to the non-profit One Tree Planted to plant trees.

Zach Pecha
Zach Pecha

The new logo design will be publicly announced on March 4 on all of their social media platforms and on their website. This is also the date that Hiker’s Brew will celebrate its fourth year in business. Until then, the newly designed packaging can be found at The Local Store for locals who want a sneak peak.