Article & Photography by Neil Patrick Harman | Owl Staff
The feel-good groove of the Grateful Dead has managed to collide into the world of…wait, what? Coffee?
That’s right. Two brothers and Harford County residents, Brian and David Seward, have started their own business, The Grateful Grail—a coffee truck.
Brian, an HCC student, noticed a lack of coffee at live music festivals and decided to create his own coffee truck. This is how the journey began.
He knew he’d need help and his younger brother was just the guy. “Brian asked me to be a part of the team and I was down for it 100%,” says David.
The two joined forces, created a business plan, took out a loan, and picked a vehicle. With no prior experience of running a coffee business, let alone a mobile one, the two had some learning to do.
They had to make sure they could work comfortably while keeping the vehicle up to code.
“It took a few tries but once you’re out there moving around and you see the space you’re working with, it just comes together,” says David.
Eventually the pieces fit together comfortably and efficiently, and the needed permits were granted to hit the streets.
First, the two had to choose their supplier.
Brian and David came to a consensus on Greenstreet Coffee Roasters, a small roaster in Philadelphia.
“They care about what they’re doing. Their stuff is constantly fresh when we want it and when we need it,” says David.
Brian and David also sought to make sure they were preparing quality products for their customers. Their cold brew is infused with nitrogen (“nitro-infused”) in a keg overnight to produce a smooth, creamy coffee taste.
With their product secured and perfected, they were finally ready.
Lattés go for $4, a 12 oz. Americano is $2, an 8 oz. cappuccino is $4, and a traditional macchiato is $3.
Bakery items and assorted pastries such as elephant ears (which isn’t a literal elephant ear, don’t worry, it’s a cinnamon-sugar pastry) are $2.
“Their cold brew is infused with nitrogen in a keg overnight to produce a smooth, creamy coffee taste.”
Waffles and omelets are offered at special events and vary from $7-9.
The truck has served at live music festivals in Baltimore, West Virginia, Ohio, New York, and events in Harford County.
What started as a simple idea has since become a huge success. You could credit this to Brian and David’s dedication and hard work, but what’s proven most important is their positive outlook.
“It’s in the name. It’s something that I believe in and want people to experience,” says Brian.
Make sure to see if The Grateful Grail is at an event or on a street near you at TheGratefulGrail.com.