Drink the Perfect Sip with Brugo – Review

I’ve been needing to add a reusable coffee mug to my beverage cup line-up for a few months now. I only had one and I’ll admit that there were times when I got lazy and just didn’t want to wash the mug for the next morning’s ‘Bucks run. I’m a huge fan of using reusable mugs – not only for the $0.10 discount but also for the reduced impact on the environment. If I had to be picky, one of my complains would be that the temperature of my chai tea never seemed to be the right temperature when I wanted to drink it – or it’s only the perfect temperature for just a few moments before it becomes too cold.

Brugo has introduced a new line of reusable mugs to help address that problem. Available in 13 different colors, from the outside, the Brugo mug looks like a geared up reusable coffee mug – from the pretty stainless steel and chrome accents to the rubberized non-slip base. Each mug holds 16 ounces (a ‘Bucks Grande) and has double wall insulation, so there are two layers of plastic insulating the mug. But what really sets the Brugo mug apart from the rest is its patented “Temperature Control Chamber.”

The idea behind the chamber is that you can isolate a small amount of your beverage, allowing it to cool in the chamber while the rest of your drink stays hot. There are two critical aspects to the chamber: first, the chamber itself and the second is the unique 3-function dial on the mug’s lid.

To use the Temperature Control Chamber, you first turn the 3-function dial on the lid to “Tip & Cool.” This will open up the back slot of the chamber, allowing you to tip your cup back (away from you), pouring hot drink into the chamber. That’s where your drink will cool while the rest of your beverage stays hot in the base of the mug. Each full chamber holds  2 oz., the perfect amount for a sip. Once you’re ready to sip, just drink from the mug as usual.

If your drink is already the perfect temperature, then you can simply turn the dial to “Sip” and use it like any other mug, since it will then use the smaller hole in the chamber to pour the drink out straight into your mouth. If you want to save your drink for a later time, then you can also turn the dial to “Lock” which will prevent spillage and seal up the cup.

If I had to change anything, it would be to make it dishwasher safe. I have yet to find a single reusable coffee mug that is dishwasher safe. I’m told that it’s because the temperature in the dishwasher reaches a level that is too high for the mugs to withstand. So until someone invents a dishwasher safe, reusable coffee mug, I simply wash my mugs by hand. I usually soak my Brugo mug overnight in warm soapy water, with a dash of baking soda to remove the smell. If you have one of those wand sponges, those are useful to help wash inside the mug and if you have a bottle bristle brush, that will help you clean inside the chamber.

Overall, I think that the Brugo mug is very innovative. The Brugo Mug has everything that a reusable coffee mug needs plus the Temperature Controlled Chamber. I loved that I didn’t have to wait for the entire drink to cool off in order to start drinking. I didn’t have to make several trips to the microwave in order to re-heat my chai through the morning. Being able to lock the top was great for my walk from the ‘Bucks to the office and the sip feature was very handy when I needed lots of caffeine NOW.

WARNING: Using this mug may delay your order from the coffee shop. The Brugo Mug was so intriguing, that when I passed it to the baristas my drink actually took a little longer to get back to me because they were checking out the design!

For more information about the Brugo mug, please visit their website at www.brugomug.com. You can also buy your own mug through their online store, where they are currently offering free shipping for orders of $50 or more!

Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. Your experiences may be different. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a free Brugo Mug from the manufacturer or their representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.