Ten of the world’s leading hard kombucha brands joined together last month to collectively celebrate World Kombucha Day that took place Feb. 21.
In an unprecedented effort, these normally competitive brands all aligned together in this unique way to celebrate this burgeoning and dynamic category while spreading awareness for their beloved hard booch.
Participants included:
1. Boochcraft
2. Flying Embers Hard Kombucha
3. Jiant Hard Kombucha
4. Kombrewcha
5. KYLA Hard Kombucha
6. Local Roots Kombucha
7. Luna Bay Booch
8. Nova Easy Kombucha
9. Strainge Beast Hard Kombucha
10. WILD TONIC Jun Kombucha
What’s Hard Kombucha?
Kombucha is an effervescent drink made by fermenting tea, with hard kombucha taking it a step further with an additional round of fermentation. From the SCOBY – the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast used in the fermenting process – to the finished product, no two hard kombuchas are made the same, although the process shares similarities across the board.
This unified hard kombucha partnership kicked-off in February during the days leading up to World Kombucha Day. The brands coordinated a series of social media posts, robust influencer collaboration and targeted digital media – all aimed to both educate and engage. Infographics provided informative attributes about the category, while loyal fans and booch lovers were able to enter social giveaways.
Among countless recent praise for the rise of the category, both Whole Foods’ Top Food Trends for 2021 and Instacart’s "New Year, New Cart" 2021 Grocery Trends named hard kombuchas as one to watch in 2021. This collective effort was birthed from each brand’s desire to spread awareness and welcome new consumers into the category.
A Bevvy of Unique Drinks
Of the 10 participating brands, each brews up their own mix of unique personality and products, including:
Boochcraft: is creating a future in which the most compelling beverage choices are the ones that align with a healthier planet. The company brews premium organic hard kombucha, made distinctly delicious by fresh-pressed juice, herbal infusions, and the power of live cultures. From the farm to the future, Boochcraft is committed to creating a buzz around regenerative agriculture and strengthening food systems.
Flying Embers Hard Kombucha: is a California-crafted line of organic Hard Kombuchas, Hard Seltzers and other botanical brews with functional benefits. With a commitment to innovation, Flying Embers' products are 0 sugar, 0 carbs and low calories (85-130), while also featuring attributes such as live probiotics, functional adaptogens and USDA certified organic ingredients. A proud supporter of its community, Flying Embers donates a portion of its revenue to firefighters and first responder charitable organizations out of respect for their service.
Jiant Hard Kombucha: is a better-for-you alcohol company dedicated to sourcing the highest quality organic ingredients to deliver superior gluten-free beverages that are approachable, transparent and delicious. Jiant is known for its clean, crisp and refreshing hard kombuchas that are thoughtfully crafted with high-grade green tea, sustainable honey, fresh-brewed botanicals and real fruit.
Kombrewcha: is USDA certified organic, gluten-free and brewed to 4.4 percent ABV through natural fermentation. Kombrewcha uses quality ingredients like fair-trade black tea to create a sophisticated and refreshing flavor profile. Now available in four delicious flavors: Berry Hibiscus, Ginger Lemon, Mango Pineapple and Blood Orange.
KYLA Hard Kombucha: is craft brewed in Hood River, Ore. by a team of fermentation experts. Using a combination of thoughtfully sourced artisanal ingredients, pure Mt. Hood water and a bespoke SCOBY, KYLA offers an award-winning portfolio of fun, fizzy and fantastically refreshing flavors that are low sugar, low cal, low carb, low ABV, gluten-free and 100 percent vegan. Four new tropical flavors – Lavender Lemonade, Coconut Crush, Sunset Trio and Pineapple Ginger Colada – now complement KYLA’s original four flavors, including Ginger Tangerine, Pink Grapefruit, Berry Ginger and Hibiscus Lime. They all offer the health-conscious consumer a unique range to explore and enjoy.
Local Roots Kombucha: brews authentic, craft kombucha packed with probiotics and organic ingredients. Their goal is to brew bold, great tasting and gluten-free hard kombucha with inspired flavors that include Strawberry Mojito & Island Vibes. The name Local Roots was derived from the company’s passion for bringing people together, sharing and instilling a sense of community. Their vision is to create a cleaner alcohol that gives back to local communities through cause endeavors as much as it does for one’s gut health.
Luna Bay Booch: is a female founded line of boozy kombuchas that are vegan, gluten free and brewed with yerba mate tea, fruits and herbs. Luna Bay maintains its core flavors (Palo Santo Blueberry, Hibiscus Lavender, Ginger Lemon) and recently introduced a "Light" version to their lineup with lower calories and ABV.
Strainge Beast Hard Kombucha: is an offshoot of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and is rooted in a lifelong love of fermentation – its art, its madness, its taste. Their brewers, with their wild imaginations, chase ideas and take on “beastly challenges.” Their hard kombucha starts with tea leaves, water and organic ingredients, but it's no mellow cup of herbs. Through a fermentation frenzy – a thrashing culture of bacteria and yeast – kombucha emerges bright and bubbly, winning taste buds in this enchanting brew. The thrill of creating, of taming unruly science, defines their history of craft brewing excellence.
WILD TONIC Jun Kombucha: is a woman-owned, Arizona based brewery crafting premium Jun Kombucha using sustainably-sourced honey and high quality organic teas, infused with farm fresh fruits, herbs and botanicals. All buzz and no bite, WILD TONIC offers a truly unique spin on taste with refreshing, delicate, chef-inspired flavors like Strawberry Blood Orange, Raspberry Goji Rose, Blueberry Basil and Mango Ginger. Available nationwide in non-alcohol and hard flavors, known as the “Champagne of Kombucha!”
To learn more, check out #WorldKombuchaDay or #HardKombucha on social.