The first in a new series from us as we will be taking a deeper look into the van-life industry and hearing from individuals using their vans in interesting, inventive and creative ways.
Here we take some time out to chat with Daniel Acheson to discuss what it's like being at the helm of his stealthy T6 while mixing it up with time behind the wheel, then the handles brewing coffee for the inherently trendy demographic in the heart of Sydney, Australia.
What's your name?
My name is Daniel Acheson - “Ay-cher-son”.
Dan, where are you from and where do you call home?
I’ve grown up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I am currently living where the North Shore meets the Northern beaches with my wife Olivia and our little dude, Moses. He is now 1 and loving the world.
So why Coffee? Why from a van and why BLACK.? What coffee? How snobby? You carry sugar? You mix up your suppliers? 3rd wave? Small batch? So... why B L A C K . ?
Black is mysterious, bold & strong, it looks clean as it’s minimal and of a simple nature. Similar to the brand we want to look good and clean cut but when you search deeper into what we’re about, you’ll find there is a genuine passion for coffee, it’s processes and those drinking it, you. Black connects with people on a deeper level. It’s not just a cafe on wheels, it’s more like a lifestyle that puts people's experience at the top of its list. Whether it be an artist putting substance to their thoughts with their brushes, screen or instrument, maybe its a builder or mechanic hacking away at a job they need to get done, they’re most likely going to have some of the good stuff (coffee) sitting on a bench behind them. We want them to have a memorable moment with each cup whilst they endeavour to conquer the world or think a new idea! The experience is key; a daily ritual that is celebrated through the intricate design and execution of one of the most consumed substances world wide - Coffee.
We are running a Brazilian - Columbian blend called Honey Pot roasted by a local legend, Barrel One. Why his brew? One of the best brews i’ve had had his label on it.
We will start to showcase singles once we have another grinder onboard but all of our short and long black coffee’s are tasting delicious with the blend so there isn’t a massive rush to drop 3.5K on another grinder.
We are also about to fire up the Moccamaster, which means bach brews in hand for all of our thirsty customers that are looking for the perfect winters' morning brew.
Snobby? Yeah sure I won’t drink a coffee that I feel hasn’t had the time and care put into it. But taste is a tough one to measure whether it is good. My palette is always growing, the coffee I enjoy now I didn’t enjoy a couple of years ago as it was “too fruity”. It’s about consistency, innovation, sustainability and heart.
That said, if I’m road tripping and my V60 is buried in my travel bag I have no qualms in smashing a long black from Maccas or 711. It’s weird but I cant explain why I don’t mind it.
Why a T6? Why did you make it look like it does? What's the setup and what have you had to do to make it look like it does? The setup to make it work as a coffee van, whats the situation with that?
Why T6? I wanted a bad-ass boxy van as black as I could get. But all the Chevy G series I looked at were super expensive to import from the states and run on the roads here in Oz. I couldn't get passed the T6 and it’s new front grill and the way the lights were shaped on the back, all without compromising the “boxy” look.
I’ve had veedubs for the last 10 years and there is something about them. The way they drive, their innovation as a company and their logo is epic.
The Setup...I’ve been making coffee for almost 10 years and am loving the way it is growing and expanding. The way it is beginning to honour the guys and gals on the other side of the world picking and growing the beans get’s me excited for the future as I see a real potential for ethical development and support for struggling third world countries. But also the average drinker is beginning to understand what it takes to make a good cup of Jo.
This all brings us to the whys of the van fit out. Lets just say 100K will get you a new T6 w some of the best gear a barista could dream of on the road. A Lamarzocco PB linea and the mythos 1 grinder make for all time consistency. It all makes for a seamless coffee designing process for the barista.
Warm lighting, matte black and the Australian oak theme makes for the aesthetic. Simple and minimal is what drives the look and feel of the van.
Daily routine, same route daily? Same cutomers? Or do you mix it up? Who are the main crowd that get what you're about, the brand and appreciate good coffee? Is it the surfers? Ha.
The day starts dark, like 445-5am dark. I turn the van on and load it with sambos (sandwhiches), muffins and beans for the day. I dial the machine in, get the coffee dropping like a dream and then I’m off.
I arrive to my first job at around 620 and work my way around the suburb of Mona Vale and Newport until about 1230. I usually check the waves and consequently surf for the next 1-2 hours most days and then head home to pack up.
Pack up takes around an hour and then I hit my socials; photo editing, website updating etc. So I’m done by around 4pm each day.
My Daily routine consists of about 35+ clients in which I serve around 3kgs of coffee. The goal is to grow and pack it out a bit more but we are pretty stoked to have cracked a pretty large market this early on. Mechanics and surf board shapers are probably my most common customer but we serve creatives, brewers and other blue collar workers. Loving the variety and the 10-15 min stop time allows for great conversation. Cut the fat kind of conversation.
One risk we took was we started using 6oz cups instead of the usual 8oz for small coffees. Some are still getting used to it but the majority are loving the smaller size. We have called the double shot small a “shotgun” and they bloody love it.
SHOTGUN! Awesome. I want one. Most inspirational regulars you serve too?
Big question man. I love talking to people and hearing about their lives so i'm inspired by a lot of the conversations I have. Whether it be the sacrifice for their families or they’re new to business and are pouring all they have into it, it often goes unnoticed and it’s time to give these guys and gals a wrap for the work they pour into their day to day lives.
What do you get up to in your free time? Do you use the van for hitting the road or is it purely for biz?
I have a lot of hobbies but my all times are playing music, surfing and riding the bush trails on my WR450. Mostly anything out doors and dangerous. That said, I love coming home to my little family at the end of each day and sharing a glass of red wine with my wife.
The coffee van hasn’t had its first road trip but I plan to hit a few festivals up north so I’ll make the most of it then.
Sometimes we just throw BLACK. parties somewhere by the beach and invite our mates to come down and share in the love. This is all time and probably our main weekend past time.
What do you make of this trending word 'van-life'? Why are people jumping in cool contemporary vans and going on adventures?
What does the future look like for BLACK.? You stoaked on the mobility + added bonuses of a van in the coffee industry or are bricks and mortar on the cards?
We are pumped to expand our fleet and push the boundaries as to what coffee equipment you can carry onboard. We want to be at the forefront of the coffee industry why should being mobile prevent that.
What's next?
BLACK. needs a home, somewhere the vans can start their day from. We are looking at a warehouse that doubles as a cafe, studio, event space, work space etc. And the rest… well, you will have to stay tuned, I cant imagine it will be too far away with the momentum and traction we have so far. Make sure you keep in contact via the gram and facebook.
We are Black Specialty Coffee.
Love.
