Explorer Cold Brew founder Cason Crane is an adventurer at heart. In 2013, he became the first openly gay mountaineer to climb the Seven Summits—a collection of the highest mountain peaks on each continent—where he first developed his love of coffee.
“It just didn’t always love me back,” he said. As someone with a caffeine sensitivity, Crane found the coffee world frustratingly rigid: it was either full-caffeine or nothing. So in 2020, he took another leap—this time launching a line of cold brew concentrates that put caffeine control back in the hands of the drinker.
Explorer’s lineup includes everything from no-caffeine and low-caffeine to high-octane extra-caffeine options, along with organic chai concentrates and flavor syrups. “Explorer empowers people to customize their caffeine experience,” said Crane. “Because coffee should elevate your day and adapt to your life—not the other way around.”
Using only organic, fair-trade beans, Explorer Cold Brew quickly developed a loyal following among foodies and coffee lovers alike. The brand has been featured in Food & Wine and Saveur, and its concentrates have been named some of the best on the market.
But press alone didn’t fuel the brand’s rise. Crane credits Amazon with playing a key role in scaling his business. Tools like A+ Content have helped showcase the company’s story and product line with immersive visuals and compelling copy.
“A+ Content has been essential for showcasing our story and educating customers on our unique product line,” said Crane.
Subscribe & Save has also helped build lasting customer relationships—and recurring revenue. “It’s been a huge driver of loyalty,” he said. “People rely on their monthly Explorer fix.”
At its core, Explorer is a mission-driven business. As a proudly LGBTQIA+-founded company, Crane is committed to creating a more inclusive and sustainable coffee industry. All Explorer products are ethically sourced, and the brand partners with organizations that support mental health, entrepreneurship, and the environment.
One of Explorer’s key partnerships is with Charity:Water, a nonprofit that provides clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. A portion of every Explorer purchase funds clean water access to someone for an entire month—providing an impact that Crane sees as deeply connected to the brand’s ethos.
“At Explorer, we’re dedicated to using our business as a force for good,” he said. “We are aware that while coffee fuels our lives, clean water powers the world.”
The company also supports The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth.
“Our community isn’t just about drinking coffee,” said Crane. “It’s about participating in a movement for more intentional consumption—and creating impact with every cup.”