Sip like Rip
Yellowstone tough guy Cole Hauser cowboys up with new coffee brand made in Texas
All he needs is a good horse, good coffee...and Beth, of course.
Houstonians can't get enough of Yellowstone — and especially Cole Hauser, who plays tough guy Rip. Now, locals can get their day started the cowboy way with Hauser's new coffee line that pays tribute to the rugged characters on the hit show. Called Free Rein Coffee Company, the brand is a partnership among Hauser and three friends, and is made in Texas.
According to a release, in 2022, Hauser and his friends Karl Pfluger, Aron Marquez, and Paul Anderson purchased a small-batch roasting facility in San Angelo to craft their coffee.
"Together they searched for a roaster who embodied the pioneer's spirit, and eventually found the Deckers, a family that had been roasting coffee in San Angelo, Texas for over 25 years," the release says. "The four friends decided to bring the family's West Texas heritage and know-how, and run with it, to wherever dreams are being chased."
Free Rein launches with six different blends:
- Heavy Spur - a high caffeine blend
- Branded - a "fiery blend" of cayenne and cinnamon
- American Dirt - Hauser's signature dark roast blend
- Homestead - "a balanced, comfortable coffee to relax by the fire with"
- Prospect - a light roast that's smooth but still full-flavored
- Mesteño - meaning "wild horse," a bold and balanced blend
Each is available in whole beans, ground beans, and single-serve pod formats. Twelve-ounce bags sell for $15.99 on the Free Rein website. (Inquiries about local retailers have not yet been answered as of press time.)
In addition to coffee, Free Rein also sells a line of drinkware and apparel including hats, shirts, and more.
A portion of sales will go to the nonprofit Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which empowers families of fallen and severely wounded Special Operations warriors. Hauser is a longtime patron and board member.
Hauser has portrayed heartthrob Rip Wheeler (aka Beth Dutton's hubby) on Yellowstone since 2018. While Hauser doesn't live in Texas, he's made a couple of sold-out appearances in Houston. Fans packed his events at Ben Berg's The Ranch Saloon + Steakhouse earlier this year at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo for a photo with the star. He has also made sold-out appearances at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, and one of his sons attends TCU.
"With Free Rein, we're not only crafting a premium coffee experience, but also paying a heartfelt homage to the American Dream," Hauser says in the release. "As a nation built on dreams and aspirations, we want to inspire the go-getters, the dreamers, and the believers to fuel their pursuits.
"Just as the American Dream knows no boundaries, we aim to exceed expectations and create a legacy of our own — one that is deeply connected to our roots and the core values that shaped us. I am so excited for everyone to finally have their hands on this coffee."
