Try That in a Small Town Coffee: Story Behind the Collection
Updated: Sep 23
Quick answer: The Try That in a Small Town Coffee collection connects a small-town-themed coffee lineup with the story and community identity surrounding the song. The coffee is produced through Peacemaker Coffee Company in Toledo, Ohio.
There is something sacred about a morning in a small town. It’s the sound of a diesel engine warming up in a driveway, the sight of the American flag catching the first rays of light, and the quiet resolve of people who wake up ready to serve their communities. In these moments, coffee is more than just a caffeine kick; it is the fuel for a lifestyle built on grit, integrity, and purpose.
However, not all coffee is created equal. While many of us reach for whatever bag is on the grocery store shelf, coffee quality can vary with sourcing, processing, storage, roasting, and freshness. Symptoms such as headaches, jitters, or digestive discomfort should not be used to infer a contamination result.
At Peacemaker Coffee Company, we believe that those who work the hardest deserve quality coffee. That is why we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing asmall-town lifestyleexperience through our roast profiles, Toledo production, mission, and testing transparency. This guide explains the collection story and how to interpret our published reports responsibly.
Why Does "Clean" Coffee Matter?
When we talk about "clean" coffee, we aren't just talking about organic farming. We are talking about the absence of harmful fungi and their toxic byproducts. Coffee beans are organic seeds, and if they aren't handled with extreme care from harvest to bagging, they can become a breeding ground for mold.
Understanding Testing Scope
Mycotoxin testing is a separate laboratory analysis from mold-and-yeast testing. Peacemaker’s current January 2026 published reports cover mold and yeast for selected roast samples only.
Testing claims should be evidence-specific and should not be converted into health or performance promises.
The Science of Purity: Our Testing Process
We don't just claim to havecoffee with published sample-specific mold-and-yeast testing. Published third-party mold-and-yeast reports cover selected roast samples and their identified lots, not every product or future batch.
published sample-specific testing information
Peacemaker publishes independent January 2026 mold-and-yeast reports for selected roast samples. Results apply only to the identified samples and lots, and the current reports do not include mycotoxin testing or establish digestive outcomes.
Sourcing and Quality Controls
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) uses a rigorous 100-point scale to grade coffee. Most "supermarket" coffee falls into the "commodity" category, which often allows for a certain percentage of defects, including moldy beans.
Peacemaker focuses on sourcing, roasting, and transparent quality controls; this article does not rely on an unverified quality percentile or grading claim.
The "Try That In A Small Town" Collection
Inspired by the resilience and traditional values of rural America, ourTry That In A Small Town Collectionis more than just a set of coffee bags. It is a tribute to a way of life that refuses to compromise on quality or character.
How this collection started:
The Songwriters Behind "Try That in a Small Town"
"Try That in a Small Town"was written by four Nashville veterans:Kelley Lovelace,Neil Thrasher,Tully Kennedy, andKurt Allison. The song became a cultural lightning rod in 2023, but before the controversy, there was a fascinating creative story behind it.
Kelley Lovelace
Lovelace is one of Nashville's most respected songwriters, with an impressive track record of hit songs. He is known for co-writing Brad Paisley's "Online,"103.3 WJOD,among many other credits. At the No. 1 celebration, Lovelace expressed sincere gratitude to Aldean, saying, "I'm incredibly thankful to you, Jason, for recording this song."MusicRow
Lovelace is also credited with sparking the writing session after watching troubling news footage one morning and praying. He grew increasingly angry, and the phrase "Try That In A Small Town" came to him. He then called Neil Thrasher to come write.American Songwriter
Neil Thrasher
Thrasher is well known for co-writing Rascal Flatts' "Fast Cars and Freedom,"103.3 WJOD,and has been a fixture in country music publishing for decades. He and Lovelace have a long creative partnership. When Lovelace called him the day the idea struck, Thrasher had his golf clothes on and was ready for their usual Tuesday outing, but he set the clubs aside to write instead.American Songwriter
Tully Kennedy
Kennedy is unique among the four writers in that he is also Jason Aldean'sbassist, making him both a live bandmate and a studio collaborator. His personal connection to the song runs especially deep. Kennedy was onstage at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas in 2017 during the deadliest mass shooting by a lone gunman in U.S. history.
A bullet struck his bass guitar and lodged in it, likely saving his life.Taste of Country
That trauma shaped the emotional core of what the writers were trying to say.
Kennedy said the song was"all about positivity," conveying the message of a tight-knit community that looks out for one another:"We've got each other's back. That's not going to fly in a small town, and I was really proud of that."American Songwriter
Kurt Allison
Allison hails from Des Moines, Iowa,103.3 WJOD,and, like Kennedy, is a member of Jason Aldean's touring band, serving as his lead guitarist. At the No. 1 party, Allison noted that Aldean "owned" the song as if he had written it himself:"We kind of felt like Jason wrote the song with us because he owned it like it was his.When all this heat was happening, he didn't deflect onto us, songwriters."MusicRow
The Song's Impact
After its music video was released in July 2023 and subsequently pulled from CMT, the song surged in popularity, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Aldean's first ever on that all-genre chart, and experienced the biggest sales week for a country song in over a decade.Wikipedia
It became Aldean's 28th No. 1 on the country charts.
The four writers later launched apodcast calledTry That in a Small Town, where they shared the song's origin story and addressed the criticism head-on, saying they were "stunned" by the backlash to what they considered a straightforward message about community values.Taste of Country
This collection was designed for those who value transparency and strength. It features a curated selection of our best-selling roasts, all of which undergo rigorous cleaning and testing.
What makes this collection special?
3rd Party Lab Tested:Published sample-specific mold-and-yeast testing is available for selected roast samples.
Low Acidity:Our roasting process is designed to reduce the high acid content that can taste harsh, creating a smoother cup for many customers.
Specialty-Grade Quality:Only the highest quality beans make the cut.
Mission Driven:Every purchase helps us support veterans, first responders, and medical personnel through ourdonations and community outreach.
Whether you are looking for the full experience with theTry That In A Small Town Collectionor you need the high-volume reliability of our5 lb Small Town bag, you are getting a product built for the roast.
What coffee with published sample-specific mold-and-yeast testing Means Here
If you are a regular coffee drinker, published testing can give shoppers more information about the specific samples a brand has evaluated.
Individual responses to coffee vary. This article provides general information, not medical advice, and does not claim that Peacemaker Coffee prevents, treats, or relieves a medical condition.
Smoother-Tasting Profile:Our low-acid positioning is intended for a smoother flavor profile; individual tolerance varies.
Enhanced Mental Clarity:Published laboratory results should not be interpreted as proof of anti-inflammatory, brain, or focus benefits.
Better Long-term Wellness:Use the published reports to evaluate the specific analytes, samples, dates, methods, and reporting limits rather than inferring broad health outcomes.
For those looking to take their wellness ritual to the next level, we also recommend exploring how toboost your morning with protein coffee, which pairs perfectly with our clean roasts.
Supporting the Backbone of America
At Peacemaker Coffee Company, we aren't just selling beans; we are building a community. As a specialty coffee roaster located in Toledo, Ohio, we believe in the "Small Town" ethos: taking care of your own and standing up for what’s right. This is why we prioritize supporting our nation's heroes and creating real community impact through each product we roast.
Our company is founded on the principles of service and sacrifice. When you wear our Small Town"Raised Up Right" T-shirtor sip from aSmall Town Tumbler, you are signaling that you stand with the men and women who keep our communities safe. We are proud to be a visionary brand that looks toward a future where quality, transparency, and community values go hand in hand.
How to Maintain Your Coffee's Purity at Home
Buying the right beans is the first step, and home storage also affects freshness and flavor. Follow these simple tips:
1. Store it Right
Keep your coffee in a cool, dry place. Avoid storing it in the refrigerator or freezer, as moisture fluctuations can cause condensation inside the bag, which encourages mold growth. Use an airtight container or keep it in our moisture-resistant packaging.
2. Check Your Water Quality
Your cup of coffee is 98% water. Using unfiltered tap water can introduce chlorine and heavy metals that mask the flavor of specialty beans. Use a high-quality water filter to ensure your brew is as clean as the beans themselves.
3. Clean Your Equipment
Coffee oils can turn rancid, and old grounds tucked away in your grinder or brewer can attract moisture. Make it a habit to deep-clean your coffee maker and grinder every two weeks.
4. Brew with Intention
Whether you prefer a French Press or a standard drip, pay attention to your ratios. We recommend starting with 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. Adjust to your taste, but keep the quality of the brew as your top priority.
Join the Peacemaker Movement
The world doesn't need more mass-produced, undifferentiated mass-market coffee. It needs coffee that inspires us to be better, work harder, and treat each other with respect. It needs a coffee that embodies the best ofsmall-town life.
We invite you to experience the difference that3rd-party lab testing and specialty-gradesourcing make. When you choose Peacemaker Coffee, you aren't just buying a bag of beans: you're choosing coffee with transparent quality information, supporting community impact, and backing a specialty coffee roaster in Toledo, Ohio that looks out for veterans, first responders, teachers, medical personnel, and the communities they serve.
Ready to upgrade your morning ritual? It’s time to choose a coffee that stands for something.
Shop the Try That In A Small Town Collection Today
Whether you’re out on patrol, heading into the hospital for a 12-hour shift, or simply watching the sunrise from your porch, do it with the confidence that only the testing-transparent coffee can provide.
Welcome to the Peacemaker family. Let's fuel the roast together.
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