Five Years Flowing: Celebrating 5 Years of Innovation, Connection, and Community

Before there was a BARge, a shop, or even a name, there was a kitchen filled with cold brew and a whole lot of curiosity.

Five years later, Fifty5 Rivers has become more than a local favorite. It’s a growing, family-run brand built on consistency and creativity. From those early wine-bottle taste tests to pouring cold brew from taps on the road, every step has shaped who we are and how we serve.

This isn’t just a timeline. It’s a celebration of the people, places, and progress that brought us here. Whether you’ve been around since the Turtle first opened or just discovered us this summer, here’s a look back at how we’ve grown and what we’ve built

Every business has its origin story. Ours? From Mountain Biking to a kitchen full of cold brew and a party at the Mowery house. No storefront, no customers yet, just friends, family, and bottles of cold brew poured into clear wine bottles labeled with numbers. If you’ve ever wondered why our drinks have names like 102 and 180, now you know.

That night wasn’t about perfection. It was about tasting, experimenting, and seeing people light up when they found “their brew.” It was the moment this thing stopped being a dream and started becoming real.

On August 1, 2019, we got the keys to what would become our official brewing space, affectionately dubbed “The Turtle” because of the building’s shape. Exactly a year later, in 2020, we officially opened our doors during the height of the pandemic.

It wasn’t easy, but we were determined to serve cold brew that was great tasting and consistent. The turtle gave us the foundation to do just that.

Launching BARge I on May 5,  2022, was a game-changer. It allowed us to sell open glass beverages out in the community; a new way to meet customers where they were and serve cold brew fresh from the taps.

We weren’t tied to one location anymore. We set up at markets, events, and street corners. We made friends. We made regulars. We made memories.

And yes, we embraced the brew – literally… It’s printed in big letters across the trailer.

On May 5, 2023, BARge II hit the road. It was everything we needed to keep growing; easier setup and teardown, and the best part: our crew could finally work inside.

It streamlined service, improved our flow, and made it even easier to connect with you face-to-face. BARge II wasn’t just an upgrade, it was a reflection of how far we’d come.

On April 21, 2024, River Rations officially launched. Our freeze-dried snack line lets you customize your order based on your tastes and cravings, whether you’re looking for sweet, savory, or something crunchy.

Made for pairing with your drink or stashing in your bag for the road, River Rations added a whole new dimension to the Fifty5 Rivers experience.

By the end of 2024, the Turtle had transformed into something new. We soft-launched Conflooence by Fifty5 Rivers. Customers could now get the same drinks available on the BARge in open glass, no matter where they were. We also rolled out online ordering, making it easier than ever to plan your pick-up and get Fifty5 Rivers beverages and river rations on your schedule.

March 14, 2025, marked a new era: custom-sealed cans became available at Conflooence and the BARge. Customers can order a can for now or grab a 12-oz cold brew without ice to save for later. Cold brew, Riverade, and River Chilled Tea – sealed fresh and ready when you are. The cans were an instant hit, and they’ve quickly become one of our most popular offerings.

Fifty5 Rivers was never just about coffee. It’s about building something real, something rooted in consistency, connection, and the belief that even small moments (like grabbing your go-to beverages) can become part of someone’s day in a meaningful way.

From the very first numbered bottle at the Mowery house to the latest can sealed fresh at Conflooence, we’ve poured everything we’ve got into doing this right, and doing it together.

So thank you. For showing up. For spreading the word. For helping us grow one brew at a time. We’ll keep doing what we do best, serving great products and finding new ways to connect with the people who make it all worth it.

Want to know where we’re docking next? Looking for new drink drops?

Follow us on social. It’s where you’ll find weekly BARge Ports of Call, Conflooence hours, seasonal releases, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes Fifty5 Rivers what it is.

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok – we’re there. And we’d love to keep connecting.