There's something almost ritualistic about a Costco run. You grab the flatbed cart, you wade through the oversized everything, you toss in a rotisserie chicken almost on autopilot, and then — if you're smart — you make your way to the beverage section. And somewhere in there, stacked in that no-nonsense bulk packaging, sits the Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee. Twelve cans. Grab-and-go. Priced so well it almost feels like a mistake.
I'll be straight with you — I've been a cold brew guy for years. Not because it's trendy, but because regular drip coffee started giving me grief in the mornings, and cold brew just sits smoother. When I first spotted the Kirkland version at my local Costco, I figured it was worth a shot. One case later, I had a lot of questions. Mainly: who the heck is actually making this stuff? Because it sure doesn't say on the can.
Turns out, that's a question a lot of people are asking — and the answer is more interesting than you'd think. It involves a major product recall, a mystery manufacturer tucked away in small-town Illinois, and a broader look at how Costco's legendary Kirkland brand actually works. Let's get into it.
The Kirkland Playbook: Big Brands, Secret Deals
Before we get to the cold brew specifically, it's worth understanding how the whole Kirkland Signature operation works, because it's actually kind of genius. When big retailers like Costco use other — often well-known — companies to make their private-label goods, it can be tough to figure out exactly where those products come from. Costco has essentially mastered this game, building a house brand that millions of Americans trust without many of them knowing who's actually behind the products.
Some of the brands behind Kirkland products are easy enough to spot because their names appear right on the label. You've probably noticed that with some of the coffee bags, for instance. But for other products, the identity of the manufacturer stays hidden — sometimes until something goes sideways and forces it into the open.
Take the coffee category alone: it's a bit of a mixed bag of suppliers. Several varieties of Kirkland Signature coffee are custom-roasted by Starbucks Coffee Company — in particular, the 2.5 pound Kirkland Signature Espresso Blend Coffee, Decaf House Blend Coffee, and Regular House Coffee. And for those of you who've been buying those bags for years, there's a reason they taste familiar. Rogers Family Co. is another major supplier of Kirkland Signature coffee, partnering with around 100 coffee farms around the world and owning 11 of its own in Panama, Mexico, and Hawaii — producing Costco's Kirkland Signature Colombian Supremo Coffee in the Andes Mountains.
But here's the thing about the cold brew specifically — the story gets a little more dramatic.
The Company Behind the Can: Berner Food & Beverage
Costco's generally well-reviewed Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee is made by Berner Food & Beverage of Dakota, Illinois. Not exactly a household name, right? That's kind of the point. Most private-label manufacturers operate completely in the background, which is precisely how retailers like Costco want it. The focus stays on the Kirkland brand, not on whoever is filling the cans.
Berner Food & Beverage isn't some fly-by-night outfit, though. Beyond cold brew, the company makes protein shakes, energy drinks, teas, dips, and sauces under its Dakota brand, as well as aerosol cheese under the Party Cheese name. So yeah — this is the same company that makes canned cold brew and spray cheese. Only in America, folks.
While it makes other private-label products beyond Costco's cold brew, it's tough to pin down exactly which stores or chains it produces them for — because that information isn't generally released to the public. That's fairly standard in the contract manufacturing world. Companies sign non-disclosure agreements, brands protect their sourcing, and consumers are largely left guessing. The cold brew case is one of the few exceptions where we actually know — and the reason we know is a bit of a wild story.
The 2023 Recall That Pulled Back the Curtain
Here's where things get real. Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee is made by Berner Food & Beverage of Dakota, Illinois — which recalled more than 2.7 million cans of the coffee in 2023. That's not a small number. That's one of the biggest product recalls Costco has ever dealt with.
Why the recall? According to a statement posted on Costco's website, the recall was issued because of "foreign material contamination (a bolt being in the can)," which seems pretty alarming. A bolt. In the can. With the coffee. Look, manufacturing is complicated and stuff happens — but finding metal hardware in your morning cold brew is definitely not the vibe anyone was going for.
Now, to be fair, no widespread injuries were reported, and Costco moved quickly to pull the affected cans. But this is exactly the kind of incident that brings a manufacturer to public attention — much like the producer of Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs once did, because of a separate recall situation. In the case of the cold brew, that recall is precisely how Berner Food & Beverage's name got attached to the Kirkland label in the public consciousness. Sometimes the curtain gets pulled back by accident.
It's worth noting that since the recall, the product has returned to shelves, and customer reviews have largely remained positive. A manufacturing hiccup of that scale is alarming, sure — but it doesn't necessarily define the product long-term. If anything, it's a reminder to pay attention to recall notices, even on products you buy all the time without a second thought.
What's Actually In the Can?
One thing you can genuinely appreciate about this cold brew is how clean the ingredient list is. The Kirkland Signature cold brew coffee is made from 100% Colombian coffee beans, providing a rich and well-balanced flavor. The product contains only water and coffee extract, ensuring a clean and authentic taste without any unnecessary additives or artificial flavors. That's it. No preservatives, no mystery sweeteners, no stuff you need a chemistry degree to pronounce.
One can comes in at just 15 calories, five milligrams of sodium, one gram of protein, and two grams of carbohydrates. For a grab-and-go coffee fix, that's about as lean as it gets. If you're the type who prefers to keep your diet clean and your coffee black — or at least unloaded with sugar — this fits the bill.
The Kirkland Cold Brew is loaded with the caffeine equivalent of over two cups of coffee. That's a solid punch for 11 ounces. If you crack one open on a Monday morning after a weekend of yard work or travel, you're going to feel it — in a good way.
How Does It Actually Taste?
Let's be honest, because that's what matters most when you're deciding whether to buy a 12-pack of anything. Overall the taste is smooth, not bitter, and is great for people who want a coffee drink that does not contain cream or sweeteners. That tracks with my own experience — it goes down easy, it doesn't have that harsh, burnt aftertaste you sometimes get from lower quality canned coffees, and it does the job.
The coffee is smooth and, like you would expect from a classic cold brew, not quite as bitter and slightly sweeter than a regular cup of traditionally brewed iced coffee. Cold brew in general tends to be easier on the palate than hot-brewed coffee that's been poured over ice — and this one follows that rule.
That said, the reviews across the board are mixed in an interesting way. On Costco's website, it has a solid 4.6 out of 5 stars, with some buyers praising its smooth taste, portability, and versatility — though many say it needs a little extra flavor to get it just right, whether that's a flavor extract, sweetener, or cream. So if you're somebody who takes their coffee black and wants it to slap you in the face with intensity, you might find this one a little mild. But if you like something drinkable and clean right out of the can, you'll probably be pretty happy.
Over on Reddit, the opinions are a little more colorful, as you'd expect. One user called it "basically jet fuel" in terms of caffeine, even if the flavor itself wasn't winning any awards. Another Redditor who appears to be a bit of a canned coffee aficionado said they regularly try Kirkland's cold brew "to see if it's improved at all," but would recommend several brands over Costco's version. That's about as real as it gets — someone buying it regularly just to check if it's gotten better. Relatable, honestly.
The flavor profile lands as smooth and mildly roasty with a full-bodied, low-acidity mouthfeel and a silky cold texture. For most people, that's actually exactly what you want in a canned cold brew — not an adventure, just reliable fuel. And reliable fuel at a good price is nothing to sneeze at.
How to Use It (Beyond Just Drinking It Straight)
One of the real selling points of this product is its flexibility. It's commonly served chilled over ice, incorporated into iced lattes or mixed coffee beverages, and used for morning or on-the-go consumption. That last one is key. The portability factor is huge — you're not messing around with a travel mug or a thermos, you're just grabbing a can and walking out the door.
Cream, sugar, and any other syrups or milks can be added to the cold brew without any issues. If straight black coffee isn't your thing, a splash of half-and-half or oat milk goes a long way toward making this feel like a more complete drink. Personally, I've mixed it with a little bit of flavored creamer on the weekends and it's a solid treat — better than waiting in line at a drive-through, that's for sure.
You can also pop a can in your backpack, briefcase, gym bag, or desk drawer — and it'll stay good at room temperature until you're ready for it, making it a genuinely practical option for busy days. Just throw it in the fridge or over ice before you drink it and you're good to go.
The Value Proposition: Is It Worth Your Money?
You can get a 12-pack of Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee for just $20.99 in stores and online. That works out to roughly $1.75 per can — which, if you've ever ordered a cold brew at a coffee shop recently, you know is an absolute steal. A single cup at your average café will run you $5 to $7. You're saving real money here, and you're getting a product that holds up reasonably well by comparison.
Kirkland Signature cold brew offers an excellent value for the price, with a cost per can significantly lower than competitors or other cold brew options on the market. That's not just marketing spin — the numbers back it up. Even premium canned cold brew brands at the grocery store tend to run $3 to $4 per can, so Costco's version undercuts the competition pretty handily.
Now, is it the best cold brew you'll ever have? Probably not. One brand that regularly comes up as a great alternative — and is also available at Costco — is Stōk Cold Brew, which might make for an easy switch if you want to try something with a bolder flavor profile. But for everyday use, for the office fridge, for road trips, for those mornings when you just need something quick and caffeinated — the Kirkland version does exactly what you need it to do without making a dent in your wallet.
The Bigger Picture: Why Kirkland's Mystery Matters
There's a reason people get curious about who's behind their Kirkland products, and it goes beyond just idle curiosity. When you understand the supply chain behind what you're consuming, you make better decisions. You know who to call if something goes wrong. You understand whether the product's quality is consistent, and you can make comparisons that actually mean something.
Unlike some private label brands that clearly state their manufacturing partners, Costco keeps the details surrounding Kirkland Signature products relatively shrouded in secrecy. That's a business decision that benefits Costco — it keeps the brand loyalty pointed squarely at Kirkland rather than at any individual manufacturer. But it does leave the consumer in the dark more often than not.
The cold brew recall of 2023 is a perfect example of why that transparency matters. If you're buying a product and something goes wrong — a bolt in the can, a contamination issue, a quality dip — you want to know who's responsible and who's fixing it. The fact that Berner Food & Beverage's name only came out because of a recall is a little uncomfortable when you think about it. You deserved to know that before cracking open your first can.
To Costco's credit, they handled the recall quickly. But it's a good reminder that "Kirkland Signature" is a label, not a guarantee — and the product behind that label is only as good as whoever is contracted to make it at any given time.
Final Verdict: Should You Keep Buying It?
Yeah, probably. Look — no product is perfect, and the 2023 recall was a genuine concern. But the cold brew is back on shelves, customer satisfaction is still strong, the ingredients are clean, the price is hard to beat, and it serves its purpose extremely well. If you're an everyday coffee drinker looking for a convenient, no-fuss option that won't drain your wallet, a 12-pack of Kirkland Signature Colombian Cold Brew Coffee is a smart grab.
Just know what you're buying. It's made by Berner Food & Beverage out of Dakota, Illinois. It's 100% Colombian coffee with nothing but water and coffee extract in the can. It packs a serious caffeine punch, tastes smooth and clean, and works great straight, over ice, or mixed with your preferred add-ins. It's not going to replace your favorite local roaster or a pour-over you spent fifteen minutes on. But that's not what it's trying to be.
It's trying to be the thing you grab when you've got stuff to do and you need caffeine now. And at that? It pretty much nails it.
