Nitro cold brew catering is the fastest way we know to serve a big crowd really good coffee. Our Tap Cart pours nitro cold brew, matcha, iced teas, refreshers and customizable drinks straight from the tap, and it's built for speed: 300 guests in 2 hours. If your event is large, hot or on a tight schedule, it's usually the right call.
Our espresso cart handcrafts every drink to order, and that's perfect for a lot of events around Indianapolis. But some events need something different, so we built a second cart for them. Here's what the Tap Cart does, when to choose it and when to book both.
What is nitro cold brew catering?
Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water for many hours instead of brewed hot, which makes it smooth and low in bitterness. Nitro cold brew is cold brew infused with nitrogen and poured through a tap, so it comes out creamy with a thick, foamy head, a lot like a stout.
For events, that matters in two ways. The drink is ready the moment it's poured, with no grinding, tamping or steaming for each cup, so the line keeps moving. And it tastes rich and creamy without any milk, which makes it an easy pick for guests who skip dairy.
Nitro cold brew catering means bringing that setup to your event, with a barista pouring for your guests on the spot.
What does the Tap Cart serve?
Nitro cold brew, poured straight from the tap
Matcha, for guests who'd rather have tea than coffee
Iced teas
Refreshers, a cold, non-coffee option for warm days
Customizable drinks, so you can add flavors or create a signature drink for your event
The Tap Cart offers [ALINA: number of taps, i.e. how many drinks guests can choose from at once] drinks at once, so you pick the lineup that fits your crowd. You'll find more photos and details on our Tap Cart page.
Nitro cold brew catering or the espresso cart: which fits your event?
Choose the Tap Cart when:
The crowd is big and the window is short. It's built for 300 guests in 2 hours, so it fits large receptions, campus events and busy festival-style crowds.
It's hot outside. Indiana summers are humid, and on a July afternoon most guests want something cold in hand fast.
It's a cocktail hour. Guests move from the ceremony straight to the drinks, and a quick pour keeps them from waiting in line.
It's a conference. Attendees have a few minutes between sessions, and a tap line serves them before the next one starts.
It's late at night. A late-night reception pour gives the dance floor a second wind without slowing anything down.
Choose the espresso cart when:
It's a morning event or a cold day, and people want hot lattes.
Watching a barista handcraft each drink is part of the experience.
You want the full coffeehouse menu, with chai, hot chocolate, affogato and seasonal flavors.
You want your logo printed on latte foam with our latte art printer.
Can you book both carts for one event?
Yes, and for large events it's often the smartest setup. With multiple cart setups, we can serve 500+ guests.
A few ways it can look:
Weddings: the Tap Cart for cocktail hour and a late-night pour, and the espresso cart with dessert.
Conferences: the espresso cart at a sponsor booth, and the Tap Cart near the main session doors for the between-session rush.
Campus and community events: both carts side by side, so guests who want a latte and guests who want something cold each have their own line.
For the biggest crowds, we can also add grab-and-go bottled lattes or a high-volume drip station. Our corporate events and conference coffee cart page covers booth, all-day and multi-day setups in more detail.
A real example: CBS Sports at Indiana University
For a CBS Sports brand activation at Indiana University, we brought the Tap Cart dressed in CBS Sports and Paramount+ branding. It sat by the CBS Sports tent and backdrop, with an inflatable IU mascot right next to the cart, and we poured tap drinks in blue cups for an outdoor crowd.
Here's what Emily C. wrote about it:
"We used Bedrock Coffee Co. for a CBS Sports brand activation at Indiana University and they were amazing! They were so easy to work with and made the whole process smooth, and they were super accommodating with all our asks."
How do you brand the Tap Cart?
The Tap Cart keeps branding simple. You can put your logo on the cart, the way CBS Sports and Paramount+ did, and add branded cups with custom stickers or stamps.
Custom drink names on the menu are another easy win. A signature cold brew named after your company, your team or your dog gives guests something to talk about while they wait, and it costs them no extra time in line.
Is the Tap Cart a good fit for weddings?
It's made for the parts of a wedding where speed matters most. During cocktail hour, it gets a cold drink into every guest's hand while the wedding party finishes photos. Late in the night, a round of nitro cold brew or matcha gives people the energy to stay on the dance floor.
Outdoor summer weddings are where it really earns its spot: iced drinks, short lines and nobody standing around in the sun. If you're mapping out a wedding for next year, see our wedding coffee cart page for how the carts fit into a reception timeline.
What about the Dirty Soda cart?
If your crowd would rather have something sweet and fizzy than coffee, our sister cart serves dirty sodas, the soda-and-cream drinks that have become a party favorite. It's another option to consider for grad parties, school events and summer celebrations, and you can ask about it when you request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does the Tap Cart serve?
It's built to serve 300 guests in 2 hours. Actual pace depends on your menu and how guests arrive, so we plan the setup around your headcount and schedule.
Does the Tap Cart work indoors?
Yes. It's a strong fit for conferences and indoor receptions as well as outdoor events. We'll confirm the space and power at your venue when we put your quote together.
Is nitro cold brew dairy-free?
Nitro cold brew served on its own gets its creamy texture from nitrogen, not milk. If you have guests with dairy allergies or other dietary needs, tell us when you request a quote and we'll plan the menu around them.
Can we book the Tap Cart and the espresso cart together?
Yes. Pairing both carts works well for big weddings, conferences and campus events, and multiple setups let us serve 500+ guests. Every quote is custom and flat-rate, so you get one clear number for the whole setup.
Planning a big crowd, a hot afternoon or a late-night pour? Tell us about your event and we'll send a custom quote for the Tap Cart, the espresso cart or both within a few hours.
