Nitro Coffee Co brews innovation with CAFRE support

Date published: 7 October 2025

The Nitro Coffee Co is raising a glass or rather, a keg to innovation, collaboration, and the power of great coffee.

Based in Comber, the company is known for its smooth, nitrogen-infused cold brew that’s become a favourite across cafés and markets. Founded by AP and Lucia Beattie, Nitro Coffee Co began as a passion project inspired by their travels through Canada. Today, it’s a thriving business that blends bold flavour with technical precision.

Recently, Nitro Coffee Co took a major step forward in product development and process refinement with support from the CAFRE Food Technologists at Loughry Campus, through the Invest NI Innovation Voucher Programme. This initiative enabled the team to access expert technical guidance to enhance their brewing methods, explore new product possibilities and extend shelf-life.

“Working with CAFRE was a game-changer,” says AP Beattie. “They were able to help us refine our cold brew process and explore new ways to improve consistency and shelf life, which is vital for scaling up. Holly and the team were a pleasure to work with throughout and helped us to meet our expectations on this project.”

CAFRE’s Food Technologists work closely with local producers to turn ideas into reality, offering technical expertise that drives growth and creativity in Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector.

“Helping local businesses like Nitro Coffee Co innovate and grow is exactly what the Innovation Voucher Programme is all about,” says Holly Elkin, Food Technologist at CAFRE. “It’s exciting to see how technical support can unlock new potential for artisan producers and we’re proud to help businesses like theirs thrive.”

As Nitro Coffee Co continues to expand its reach across cafés, bars, and food markets in Northern Ireland, their journey stands as a testament to what’s possible when creativity meets collaboration.

To learn more about how CAFRE can support your food innovation journey, visit the Food Business Support area on the CAFRE website or explore the Innovation Voucher Programme.