Green Mountain Coffee Travel Mug

If you’ve got a Keurig® K-Cup® or Vue® brewer, there are lots of options for trying something new to “Renew Your Brew.” Things like flavored coffees – Limited Edition Island Coconut comes to mind – and Brew Over Ice flavors like lemonade, iced coffee, and iced tea. (You did know that every Keurig® brewer can make iced beverages, right?)

The point is, single-serve packs are a really convenient way to enjoy a great cup of coffee any time of day. But being able to use your brewer to make iced coffee, iced tea, lemonade and other fruit drinks is a little like discovering that your washing machine can also fold and do ironing. Sigh…if only.

So in case you need a little more motivation, here are 10 Ways to Renew Your Brew that you may see floating around as you travel through cyberspace in the next few weeks. And if you do try something new – beverage related or not – please leave a comment; we’d love to hear about it.

10 Ways to Renew Your Brew

1. Start chillin’ with your Keurig® brewer. Enjoy iced coffee, iced tea, and more.

2. Raise a mug to Mom. Order a special Mother’s Day Brewer Bundle to make her morning easy.

3. Think outside the bean. Try Brew Over Ice lemonade by Green Mountain Naturals® and other fruit brews.

4. Stockpile your favorite flavors with 15% off storewide, now through May 7. Just use keycode RENEWBREW at check-out.

5. Give a gift of good taste to someone special (see #4 regarding storewide sale).

6. Take a sip to paradise with Green Mountain Coffee® Island Coconut® seasonal coffee.

7. Get a special delivery. Café Express® members enjoy regular automatic delivery of their favorite items AND save 15% on every order.

8. Get a newer brewer. Check out the Keurig® Vue® V500.

9. Make time for tea with Bigelow and Celestial Seasonings K-Cup® and Vue® packs.

10. Try something new to you. Fair Trade Certified™ selections, Tully’s Hawaiian Blend, and more!

You know where to find all these great options, but here’s a shortcut to get you started: www.GreenMountainCoffee.com

 

 

New Year, new you.  Or me.  Or us.  You get the idea.  It’s 2013 and it’s a new start.  Clean slate.  Blank sheet of paper.  An open road.   But we don’t want that slate/paper/road to be empty for long: we want adventure.  We want stories.  We want triumph.  That’s why we make resolutions – to be able to look back at the past year and have exciting tales to tell in the next.  In preparation for those stories, here are a few of our goals for 2013 (with a little Keurig Brewed® twist):

1. Take one small step toward a more balanced life.  Make a small change that helps our wellness – like choosing Wellness Brewed™ beverages like Green Mountain Coffee® Antioxidant Blend.

2. Embrace “me” time.  Stress is so last year – now is the moment to savor the moment.  Even if that’s just enjoying an indulgent cup of Café Escapes® Café Caramel (and it’s only 70 calories).

3. But don’t overlook the family.  Make time to be together – craft, hike, bake, and watch a family movie with some Green Mountain Naturals® Hot Apple Cider for the kids.

4. Appreciate the beauty around us.  Stop, look, and listen to the artistry that surrounds the everyday, may it be the beauty in a hand built gazebo, the tang of handcrafted cheddar, or the brightness of a mug of Tully’s® House Blend.

5. Learn a new language.  Bonjour, ciao, hola – expand your vocabulary so travel to your new favorite destination isn’t as intimidating.  And do it all with a mug of Barista Prima® Italian Roast by your side – bellissimo!   

What stories do you want to tell about 2013 next year?

While I wasn't initially planning on moving in with my girlfriend, Lena, so young - even though we've been dating since high school - I've found that it's been a really great experience for both personal and financial reasons. I wouldn't recommend that everyone live with their significant other right out of college, it seems to be working for me.

I shouldn't be too surprised that the two of us make such good roommates - after all, we have a number of similar interests, including - what else? - coffee. I can recall one instance in college when Lena and I were preparing for a final exam - we probably each bought about six or seven cups of coffee that day. Needless to say, that caffeine binge cost us both a pretty penny at the local coffee shop, although when it comes to money, living in the post-college world has showed us both that undergraduate studies are nothing compared to professional life. 

More than just cheaper rent, Lena and I save an immense amount of money by splitting most of our costs right down the middle. In particular, we still tend to blow a lot of money on coffee every week, so sharing the cost of Green Mountain Coffee® and our Keurig® makes enjoying multiple cups a day (and we do) much easier on our bank accounts. Now we can pack up a couple of travel mugs full of our favorite French Roast or Donut House® K-Cup® packs before work - avoiding the trouble of running to the coffee shop several times a day.

There have certainly been some road bumps along the way, but I can safely say that moving in with my girlfriend has unexpectedly become one of the best decisions of my life.

You may have heard, but today it was announced that the line of Keurig^® Single Cup Brewers is expanding with the addition of the Keurig^® Vue^™ brewer, a premium new platform designed with the ability to brew stronger, brew bigger, and brew hotter.

 

The new Vue^™ brewer, paired with new Vue^™ packs*, comes with all the ease and convenience of the existing Keurig^® K-Cup^® system with added customizable features so you have control over the strength, size, and temperature of your coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and iced beverages, as well as new frothy café beverages.

 

Pretty nice, right?

 

To say the least, I can't wait for the Keurig® Vue™ Brewer to be available for purchase in the coming weeks.  It has a lot of options that I’ve been dreaming about in a single cup coffee maker:

 

• Stronger Coffee: The Vue^™ brewer adjusts water pressure, timing, and airflow so I can have the stronger brew I love in the mornings – at any size.
• Bigger Coffee:  I can now brew into my large, stainless steel travel mug with new Vue^™ packs specially formulated to brew a bigger cup up to 18-oz.  I’m ready to fill my travel mug with a strong cup of my favorite Green Mountain Coffee® variety, Breakfast Blend.
• Hotter Beverages: Now, we can choose a temperature range between 187 and 197 degrees Fahrenheit to really customize our cups.  My wife Natasha enjoys drinking Celestial Seasonings Green Tea and always likes the water to be extra hot to let the tea seep. It’s like the designers had her in mind when they created the new Keurig® Vue™ Brewer!
• And much more:  A few Sundays back, I was enjoying some Dark Magic Extra Bold with Natasha with a plate full of crêpes (I like to think I am an expert at making crêpes).  We decided to add some homemade whipped cream to the coffee and crêpes – just to mix things up. Suddenly, Natasha looked at me and said, “Wouldn’t it be great if our Keurig® brewer could make a cappuccino?” Good news: The Vue™ brewer can!  With exclusive two-step Barista Prima^® Café beverages, I can now enjoy a cappuccino on the weekend when I am eating my crêpes with the family.

 

The Keurig® K-Cup® Brewer and the Keurig® Vue™ Brewer complement each other so well!  Deliciously simple and brewing what I like, the way I like it – what a pair!

 

*Just a reminder: The Keurig® Vue™ Brewer is not compatible with K-Cup® packs; they use Vue™ packs.

April 18^th is soon upon us, and you know what that means: Tax Day. While we’re sure that most have had their taxes done for a long, long time, we thought that some may need a few revelations to finish this annual ritual on time.

And what revelation is better than the kind you get with Green Mountain Coffee?

Without further ado, here are our top 5 picks for the best Tax Day, revelation ready coffees:

5. Fair Trade Island Coconut – The Fair Trade coffee that reminds you of the trip to beach you’ll take after you’re done!  Plus, the coconut aroma is sure to spur you forward.
4. Harvard Blend – A blend that invites studied contemplation and may give you the smarts to take care of those line items.
3. Fair Trade Organic Sumatran Reserve – Extra Bold, Fair Trade, and ready to propel you to the finish line with this fierce cup!
2. Breakfast Blend Travel Mug: A classic, go-to coffee to help you out.  Plus, this travel mug size is packed with more coffee, so you can keep your eyes open to crunch those numbers.
1. Dark Magic® – Really, a little abracadabra never hurt.

Here’s to getting to the post office before 11:59 PM!  And remember: You can do it!

TOP TEN OFFICE GIFTS

#10 Small Revelation Travel Mug $2.95

We here at Business Coffee Express are often asked, "What is the best way to take my Green Mountain Coffee wakeboarding?" The answer is this cute little 12-oz. Revelation Travel Mug with a spill-proof, screw-on lid. It features a beautiful scene of the Vermont Green Mountains, and is the perfect size to grab and go whether you are free soloing, sky surfing, or even wakeboarding.  At this price you should buy one for everyone in the office!

#9 Logo Backpacker Thermos $19.95

The sleek, slender shape looks like you after the holidays, thanks to all the wakeboarding you've been doing! This compact, no-leak Thermos®, made by Nissan™ is so stylish it might just put mugs and tumblers out of style. Features an easy-to-open, spring loaded lid. Completely leak proof perfect for backpacks and travel. Double Insulation means your coffee stays hot for hours.

#8 Stoneware Logo Mug $14.95

Perfect for the boss who needs to be reminded on a daily basis that every office deserves great coffee! Each is individually hand-thrown by American master potters. Slight color and size variations showcase the unique properties of each one-of-a-kind mug. Solid and sizable, each of these mugs can stand on its own, but two make a nice pair.

#7 Bodum Milk Frother $19.95

The next time someone in your office tells you not to get worked up into such a lather, say "Why Not?" and show them this! This easy-to-use, battery-powered frother is perfect for foamy milk for your coffee without the hassle of an espresso machine. You will probably decide to keep it for yourself so buy two.

#6 Lake Champlain Chocolates Organic Truffles $22.95

Lake Champlain truffles— on the list because it's made in VT of course, and because they are the best Truffles I've ever had. Sorry Belgium, but cheer up, GMCR will probably never make a $25 raspberry beer aged in oak. Lake Champlain Chocolates has reached new heights with this collection of 15 all-natural, preservative-free truffles. Includes Ethiopian Coffee, Honey Fig, Ginger Lemon, Aztec, Mango, and Vanilla.

#5 Better World Gift Bag $59.95

Isn't dreaming of a better world what the Holidays are all about? Our exquisite chocolates, cocoa, coffees and tea help actually make it happen— plus they taste amazing. Includes 7 fabulous products contributing to a better world and a reusable shopping tote.

#4 Organic Breakfast Crate $37.95

Why a Crate? Because "Crate" just sounds cool, and who wouldn’t rather have a "crate" of something they love rather than just a box? Besides, it doubles as an "In" box. Filled with Fair Trade Organic coffee and Cocoa and Organic pancake mix and maple syrup, all from Vermont.

#3 K-Cup Ultimate Gift Basket $44.95

C'mon, "Ultimate" is right there in the name, of course it has to be in the top 10! The perfect gift if their office already enjoys a Keurig® Brewer. If not, get them one of those too! Our K-Cup Gift Basket gives you great coffee right away, and wonderful sustenance for the rest of the day. Includes 24 Green Mountain Coffee Sampler K-Cups.

#2 The Ultimate Office Gift Basket $49.95

Is it possible for two Green Mountain Coffee gifts to be called "Ultimate" at the same time? Yes, it's a holiday miracle! Packed full of delicious treats, and there’s more than enough to share. Brew up a pot of Breakfast Blend or French Roast while everyone in the office digs in to sweet granola, delicate shortbread, maple candy, or chocolate indulgences. It’ll be the most memorable Holiday coffee break ever!

#1 Keurig Office Pro Coffee Brewer $129.95

Not only the greatest invention in the history of humankind, but perhaps the greatest gift since frankincense and myrrh. (Gold is still hard to beat.) Even small offices deserve great coffee and the B145 Office Pro delivers. Designed for offices with 15 or fewer people, its small footprint makes it a perfect fit for conference rooms, board rooms and reception areas. Guaranteed to ward off office revolts, palace coups, passive-aggressive behavior and Monday sick days. They should rename it "Ultimate."

A few weeks ago, hearts collectively turned into mush in our office while reading the abridged story of one Green Mountain Coffee fan’s proposal to his then girlfriend.  Imagine: Graham and Kate, our happy couple, in the early, early, early morning and the - well, why don’t I let Graham take it from here:

A good marriage proposal is all about circumstance, lighting, and a bit of luck...

Finding the perfect setting for my wedding proposal to my, then girlfriend, Kate was simple enough--we were on our way to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon.  The timing took a bit more thinking.  I thought about a romantic mid-day picnic proposal.  It sounded great, but crowds would be a problem.  Sunset sounded dramatic and the colors and shadows cast in the canyon have inspired artists for centuries, but could I really carry around the ring for the entire day?  Neither seemed to fit the moment quite like sunrise.  The symbolism just seemed right.  Here we were at a new beginning, the first light of day lifting over the seemingly-infinite wonder before us--full of excitement and promise.  Perfect!

Ah, but there's always a catch.  Staying in Flagstaff meant a two-hour drive to the Grand Canyon, and with a 6:20 am sunrise, that meant leaving the hotel around four in the morning!  With a promise of a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse at sunrise over the landmark, Kate--thankfully--agreed to wake up at 3 am--whew!  Nerves gripped me--and I, the steering wheel--as we traced along the dark and elk-trodden roads of northern Arizona.  When we finally arrived, we had just enough time to run to the rim and find our way to a secluded point.

Describing the very moment is impossible.  The famous artists of the Wild West have brought out the emotions of the Canyon at first light, but not even the most talented among them could capture the glow that swept across Kate's face as I dropped to one knee. The moment will forever be painted in the most brilliantly vivid colors on the canvas in my mind in all of its unrivaled beauty.

Freshly engaged and excited to soak in every once of the surroundings, we trekked along the Southern Rim.  We made it roughly an hour before the exhaustion sunk in. With a whole day ahead of us, we set out in search of a worthy pick-me-up.  Stopping first at a nearby cafeteria, I poured myself a large cup of what was labeled, "coffee."  To call it coffee is a bit generous, but I won't go into any further detail, suffices to say it found its way down the nearest drain.

Ever the supportive companion, Kate made it her mission to find me a better cup.  "There's a restaurant up ahead, let's try there," she would say, tracing her finger across the travel map.  The early hour meant that most places were not yet open and my quest for a decent cup began to seem futile.  Until, finally, "Is that what I think it is?" I blurted out suddenly.  Outside a distant lodge was a sign whose words neither of us could make out, but in the middle was a green logo.

"It looks a bit like the Green Mountain Coffee logo," I said, with a glimmer of hope.  Closer still the logo came into perfect view, as did the words, "We proudly brew Green Mountain Coffee!"  And just like that, all was right with the world!

Sure, finding a great cup of coffee on the same morning Kate and I got engaged may sound trivial, but let me assure you it is not!  To say that moment in life could have been any more perfect is now, officially impossible!! From racing to make it in time for the first light to trace the outline of her face at the perfect moment, right down to the quest for a great cup of Joe, they all had a touch of drama and uncertainty.  But in the end, both could not have worked out any better.

A happy ending to a very happy beginning!

Thank you for sharing your story, Graham and Kate!  We – and romantic coffee-lovers, alike – are sending you travel mug-sized “Congratulations” on your engagement!  May your life never be in need of cream or sugar, as each day will be sweet and smooth enough as long as you’re together.

When Travel Mug K-Cup® Portion Packs hit the scene in March, fans of fully caffeinated commutes lined up at their Keurig brewer to test these new K-Cups, travel mugs at the ready.

Not to be left out, our employees were among the throng.  So, being the inquisitive group we Green Mountain Café bloggers are, we asked a crack team of coffee loving travel mug-ers to share their take on these new Travel Mug K-Cups.  And share they did:

First, Donut House® Travel Mug K-Cups with B2B poet, Lesley:

Donut House Travel Mug K-Cup: Coffee just like before only I get more!  Fills my mug and fills me up!

Next, Green Mountain Coffee® French Roast Travel Mug K-Cups with a very un-morning person, Paula:

When mornings get tough, I turn to something a bit more bracingly bold.  So imagine my delight when I got a box of our new travel mug sized French Roast K-Cups.  Dark roast?  Check.  Bold blend?  Check.  Big size for barely-awake mornings?  Check.  My new go-to brew.

And last, but not least, Breakfast Blend Travel Mug K-Cups with HR multi-tasker Blythe:

At work I wear several different hats but no matter which one I’m wearing Travel Mug Breakfast Blend fits perfectly in my favorite travel mug.

Looks like the only thing better than your favorite cup of coffee is your favorite coffee in a bigger cup!  While this crack team hightails it to the Keurig for another mug-full, do you think our travel mug-gers hit the nail on the head, or as we say, the K-Cup on the lid?

Your K-Cup^® favorites are now ready for your morning commute! We’re launching three coffee varieties in a new Travel Mug K-Cup^®, made just for coffee lovers who can never get too much of a good thing.

Travel Mug K-Cups^® are specially designed portion packs that create perfectly-brewed coffee on the largest brew size setting of the Keurig^® Single-Cup Brewer. New technology allows more coffee to be packed into each K-Cup, which means the coffee is as strong and rich when brewed at 10- or 12-ounces as a conventional K-Cup is when brewed at 6- or 8-ounces.

Travel Mug K-Cups are available online at www.GreenMountainCoffee.com in three varieties:

• Green Mountain Coffee^® Breakfast Blend


• Green Mountain Coffee^® French Roast, and


• Donut House™ Extra Bold

And they are $1 off per box until 6/17/2010 with the key code TRAVEL-MUGS.  (Cafe EXPRESS members will automatically save an additional $1 in addition to their $2.50 per box savings)

Can’t wait to fill your travel mug?  Neither can we!  That’s why today Wednesday, March 17 through Friday, March 19 we’re giving away a box of not one, not two, but all three varieties of Travel Mug K-Cups (plus two Green Mountain Coffee Travel Mugs) each day to one of our Twitter followers that has a travel mug ready to be filled.

Here’s how it works:

• Follow @GreenMtnCoffee on Twitter.


• Between 8 and 11am EST, @reply us with a picture of your empty travel mug and the hashtag #FillMyTravelMug.
  
  
  
  • Example Tweet - @GreenMtnCoffee #FillMyTravelMug http://yfrog.com/ev3f9j
    
    
    
    • And no, you can’t use my picture ;-)
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • The daily winner will be randomly drawn and announced on @GreenMtnCoffee and our Facebook page.
  
  
  • For Official Rules, see below:
  
  
  
  

  Travel Mug K-Cup Sweepstakes

  OFFICIAL RULES

  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE THE CHANCE OF WINNING. INTERNET ACCESS NECESSARY TO ENTER AND WIN.  RESTRICTIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED.

  ENTRIES POSTED TO THE GIVEAWAY ACCOUNT ARE NOT EDITED BY SPONSOR AND ARE THE VIEWS/OPINIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL ENTRANT AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF SPONSOR.
  ELIGIBILITY: Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia ("U.S.") who are 18 years of age or older as of March 16, 2010. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. This Sweepstakes is subject to the laws of the United States and Vermont and all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Employees of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., and Keurig, Incorporated and each of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, sweepstakes and fulfillment agencies, and members of the immediate family or household of each of the above are not eligible to participate.

  SPONSOR: The Sponsor of this Sweepstakes is Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., 33 Coffee Lane, Waterbury, VT 05676 (“Sponsor” or “GMCR”).

  ENTRY PERIOD: The Travel Mug K-Cup® Portion Pack Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) runs daily from 8:00:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) to 11:00:00 AM EST  on each of  March 17, 2010, March 18, 2010 and March 19, 2010 only (the "Sweepstakes Period").   Entries must be received no later than 11:00:00 AM EST March 19, 2010.  No entries will be accepted outside of the 8:00:00 AM EST to 11:00:00 EST daily entry period.

  HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE THE CHANCE OF WINNING. To enter, visit www.twitter.com and log-in or create a free Twitter account. Then become a follower of @GreenMtnCoffee and reply to @GreenMtnCoffee with a link to a picture of an empty travel mug and the given “hashtag” (#FillMyTravelMug).  Winner will be notified from the @GreenMtnCoffee page (or as otherwise determined by Sponsor in its discretion).  All entries must be received by 10:59:00 AM EST to to 11:00:00 AM EST daily from March 17, 2010 until March 19, 2010.  All entries must be uploaded via a Twitter Image Sharing Service (suchas Twitpic or vfrog) for posting to a tweet via tinyuri.   NO OTHER FORMATS OR METHODS OF ENTRY ARE ACCEPTABLE.

  ALL ENTRIES BECOME THE PROPERTY OF SPONSOR.  BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, ENTRANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HIS/HER ENTRY (INCLUSIVE OF THE PHOTO) WILL BE OWNED BY SPONSOR, AND MAY BE POSTED ON SPONSORS' WEBSITE OR DISPLAYED ON SPONSOR’S OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS IN ANY MEDIA THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN PERPETUITY IN SPONSOR’S DISCRETION WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO ENTRANT. Sponsor reserves the right to, but may or may not, monitor or screen entries and may or may not edit any entry in its sole discretion. By entering, you acknowledge that Sponsor has no obligation to use or post any entry or any entry in its entirety.  You assign all rights in the entry to Sponsor, its successors and assigns in perpetuity.  You waive any moral rights in your entry.  You warrant that your entry is your original work, has not been previously published, is not defamatory, scandalous, offensive or unlawful, and does not infringe on the intellectual property, privacy or other rights of any third party.  Your entry does not endorse any commercial product or service other than Sponsor’s products and services.   You entry does not disparage Sponsor or any third party.

  Limit one (1) entry per person/twitter address/day.  No person/twitter address can win more than one time for the duration of the Giveaway. No mechanized, programmed or robotic entries are eligible, and use of illegal entry mechanisms may result in disqualification of the entrant.

  All entries are subject to verification by Sponsor.

  PRIZE: Three (3) twenty-two (22) count boxes of Travel Mug K-Cup® portion packs and two (2) Green Mountain Coffee-branded travel mugs (each a “Daily Sweepstakes Prize”); ARV of each Daily Sweepstakes Prize is $72.  ARV of all prized to be awarded hereunder (collectively, the “Prizes”) is $216.  All Prizes will be awarded. Prize includes shipment to winner’s address in the US.  Taxes are the responsibility of the winners.

  ALL PRIZES ARE AWARDED “AS-IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXCLUDED. WINNERS AGREE TO ACCEPT THE PRIZE “AS-IS.”

  ODDS OF WINNING: Odds of winning are dependent upon the total number of eligible entries received.

  RESTRICTIONS: No assignment, transfer, cash redemption, or substitution of prize is permitted, provided that Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any listed prize for one of equal or greater value if the designated prize should become unavailable for any reason.

  Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules will not constitute a waiver of that provision.

  DRAWING: The three (3) Daily Sweepstakes Prize winners will be selected by Sponsor in a random daily drawing from among all eligible entries received in the day prior to such drawing. Daily Sweepstakes Prize drawings will be conducted on or about Wednesday, March 17, 2010; Thursday, March 18, 2010; and Friday, March 19, 2010 by GMCR.

  Winner notification will be by Twitter or any other method chosen by Sponsor.  Potential winner will be required to contact Sponsor by direct message to Green Mountain Coffee via Twitter or as directed within forty-eight (48) hours of winner notification (the "Response Period").   Return of a prize notification as undeliverable or failure to respond within the Response Period will result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. If the winner chooses not to accept a Prize, an alternate winner will be chosen. In the event of a dispute, entries will be declared made by the authorized account holder of Twitter account submitted at time of entry. Unless otherwise noted, allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of a Prize following completion of notification and prize acceptance process. Prizes will only be delivered to addresses within the United States.

  PUBLICITY: Except where prohibited, participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes the winner's consent to Sponsor's use of winner's name, photograph, image, voice, opinions, biographical information, hometown and state for Sponsor’s purposes in any media in perpetuity without further payment or consideration.

  GENERAL RELEASE: By participating and/or submitting an entry in this Sweepstakes, entrants agree: (a) to these Official Rules and all decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final in all respects relating to this Sweepstakes; and (b) to release and hold harmless Sponsor, and Keurig, Incorporated and their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers and employees and agents from and against any claim, cause of action, liability or expense (including attorneys' fees) arising out of participation in the Sweepstakes or receipt or use of any Prize.   SPONSOR MAY REQUIRE EXECUTION OF A SPECIFIC RELEASE PRIOR TO AWARD OF ANY PRIZE.

  LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, DISPUTES: If, for any reason, the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, whether due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In the event of termination, a random drawing to award the Prizes will be conducted from eligible entries received up until the time of termination, if such a drawing can be fairly conducted in Sponsor's judgment.

  Sponsor is not responsible for (i) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any computer, cable, network, hardware or software, printing or typographical errors or lost, illegible or incomplete entries; (ii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any providers, transmissions or telephone or Internet service; (iii) unauthorized human intervention in or unauthorized alteration to any part of the entry process or the Sweepstakes; (iv) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the Sweepstakes or the processing of entries; or (v) any injury or damage to persons or property, including but not limited to entrant's computer, hardware or software, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant's participation in the Sweepstakes.
  
  CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS SWEEPSTAKESIS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

  Entrant agrees that as a condition of entering the Sweepstakes: (i) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, or prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the state and federal courts of the State of Vermont; (ii) by participating or submitting an entry in the Sweepstakes, entrant consents to the personal jurisdiction and subject matter jurisdiction of such courts for such purpose; (iii) the parties waive any right to trial by jury; (iv) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred by entrant, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes but in no event entrant's attorneys' fees; and (v) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and further waives any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

  GOVERNING LAW: All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant and Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Vermont, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law Official Rules.

  ENTRY INFORMATION: Entry information becomes property of Sponsor subject to Sponsor's privacy policy as posted on its website at the following Internet address: www.GreenMountainCoffee.com.

  WINNERS LIST: For a list of winners, mail a self-addressed stamped envelope by May 1, 2010 to: Travel Mug K-Cup Portion Pack Sweepstake Winners List Request, 33 Coffee Lane, PO Box 370, Waterbury, VT 05676-9927. Limit one request per envelope. Vermont residents do not need to include return postage.

  COPY OF RULES:  For a printed copy of these Official Rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Travel Mug K-Cup Portion Pack Sweepstakes Rules, 33 Coffee Lane, PO Box 370, Waterbury, VT 05676-9927. Limit one request per envelope.  Vermont residents do not need to include return postage.

  ©2010 Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.  K-Cup® is the registered trademark of Keurig, Incorporated.   Green Mountain Coffee is the registered trademark of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.

Happy Black Friday!  Hope the shopping spree is going swimmingly!

Unless, of course, you haven’t been up since 5 a.m., sorting your flyers and coupons and mapping out your shopping route with precision, a travel mug full of caffeinated joy clenched in your hand?

Well.

If you’re one to avoid the lines, crowds, and frenetic pace that is Black Friday, let’s see if we can help you out with your laid back, clickable, PJ-wearing Cyber Monday with some GreenMountainCoffee.com Top Picks:

1. Our Better World Gift Basket: The reusable, eco-friendly tote overflows with Fair Trade, organic, and sustainable treats.  Fair Trade coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate sauce come from farmers who were paid a fair wage. Throw in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and you have it all: java, justice, and joy.

2. Our Fair Trade Organic Sampler: This sampler includes three 10-oz. bags of coffee to fit every mood – bold and dark with French Roast, sweet and swanky with Sumatran Reserve, and bright and vibrant with Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. With certified Fair Trade and Organic coffees, this sampler is perfect for the socially-minded with a coffee habit that’s never routine.

3. Our Limited Edition Seasonal Coffees: Only available during this time of year, Holiday Blend, Spicy Eggnog, and Gingerbread are all created to complement the special foods and festivities of the season. All three coffees are Fair Trade Certified™, which means small-scale farmers were paid a fair price for their beans. Available bagged and in K-Cups.

4. Our Taste of Vermont Breakfast Gift: Brings the beauty of the Green Mountain State right to your doorstep. This special collection represents the best of Vermont's food artisans, including maple butter and maple syrup fromHighland Sugarworks; Raspberry Preserves from Side Hill Farm; a tin of Lake Champlain Fair Trade Organic Cocoa. Mitzi’s Maple Granola made out of Stowe, Vt. Our own Vermont Country Blend and Breakfast Blend coffees round out your tasty tour of Vermont.

Happy hunting…or clicking!

-Kristen

By Roger Garufi

This time of year always brings with it a plethora of special events and community gatherings.  As we sweep out our mud rooms, wash winter’s grit off our cars, and welcome summer back into our lives (a late-emerging and all too brief occurrence in Vermont), we also make time for the many local and regional sampling and sponsorship opportunities.

Green Mountain Coffee started the busy events week last Thursday at the Vermont Ski Areas Association Annual Meeting.  Held this year at the Killington Grand Hotel, we were on hand to show support for our marketing partners at the VSAA, and to distribute K-Cup samples of, among other things, our new seasonal offerings, Summer Safari ™ Blend and The Perfect Peach™. 

Saturday kept two sampling teams busy at two different events.  One team helped our friends at Cabot Creamery celebrate their 90th anniversary, at a special community event at their original Cabot location.  Closer to home, the other team provided free coffee to the attendees of the Waterbury Kids Fest /Green Mountain Coffee Safety Day, an annual event held in the park directly in front of our Visitor’s Center and Café.

On Sunday, at the beautiful Shelburne Museum, a row of Keurig machines and a huge selection of complimentary K-Cups awaited volunteers and participants of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation annual fundraising walk.

Next weekend, I’m off to Hague, NY, to help the volunteers and the racers at the Northern Country Triathlon jump-start their day.  On the same day, a crew of local Green Mountain Coffee employees will be rolling down Main Street on our custom-built float, tossing hundreds of bags of coffee and travel mugs to the crowds gathered for the Waterbury 4th of July Parade.  On Sunday, June 28th, a remote sampling team will be sharing our fine offerings with folks at a special ‘Edible Garden’ event at New York City’s Botanical Garden.  Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse will be in attendance…hopefully they’ll be enjoying their very own Summer Safari.

Hope to see you at an event sometime soon….

Roger