Meet Our Members – Alua Kombucha (CA)

Nion Sheppard, Alua Kombucha, Mount Shasta, CA, USA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? In 2012, A friend on Maui dragged me into Maui Kombucha and I was very reluctant. They ordered a pint and I just ordered a water. They insisted that I try it, and I quite literally plugged my […]

Monday, 29th October 2018

Nion Sheppard, Alua Kombucha, Mount Shasta, CA, USA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

In 2012, A friend on Maui dragged me into Maui Kombucha and I was very reluctant. They ordered a pint and I just ordered a water. They insisted that I try it, and I quite literally plugged my nose as I tasted it. (I had tried a few tasters of bottled Kombucha before and couldn’t understand how people drank that stuff!) Next thing you know I order a pint, then started going there any time I was on that side of Maui, quickly became friends with the owners, and started helping them with expansion ideas and marketing. I got to learn so much about it and just couldn’t get enough of the freshly brewed bubbly stuff!

Q: Why did you start your own Kombucha company?

Soon after I moved to Northern California, I quickly realized there was no good Kombucha here. I contacted my friends at Maui Kombucha and asked them to partner with me to open a Kombucha brewery. They were interested, but had their hands full on Maui. So, I started scaling up in 2016 and rented space in a commercial kitchen and got signed up for the 2017 Farmers Market. We had no idea what to expect. We showed up with 3 kegs and sold out in 30 minutes. My partner, Rebecca, looked at me and said, ‘What did we just get ourselves into?’ Soon after, we built our first facility and have been growing fast ever since.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

I am still partial to MOG. Mango Orange Guava from Maui Kombucha. Its the spark that lit the fire for me and will always have a place in my heart.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I used to be the VP of a large tourism company on Maui. It taught me so much about business development and marketing. Before that I had many years in commercial kitchens as well as mixology. Kombucha gave me the opportunity to combine those skills.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

In life, the hardest tests go to the best students.

Meet Our Members – Kombucha Brava (IL)

Doug Skites, Kombucha Brava, Evanston, IL, USA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? About 3 years ago, after months of a severe intestinal crises. Kombucha made me feel sooooo good. Q: Why did you start your own Kombucha company? To do something good for myself and make something good for my […]

Monday, 29th October 2018

Doug Skites, Kombucha Brava, Evanston, IL, USA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

About 3 years ago, after months of a severe intestinal crises. Kombucha made me feel sooooo good.

Q: Why did you start your own Kombucha company?

To do something good for myself and make something good for my community.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

Bozeman Montana’s Dean’s Zesty Raspberry!

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Capitalist Pig, a.k.a. commodity trader.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Live and Let Live.

Webinar Series: G3 “Beverage on Tap – What’s to Come”

G3: Beverage on Tap – What’s to Come DATE: 11/14/18; 1 pm PST on Zoom WHO: Scott Fore – Manager of G3’s Beer Sales Group COST: Free Members/ $20 Non-Members WEBINAR SUMMARY Join us for a webinar led by Scott Fore – Manager of G3’s Beer Sales Group to discuss the future of beverages on tap. This […]

Thursday, 25th October 2018

G3: Beverage on Tap – What’s to Come
DATE: 11/14/18; 1 pm PST on Zoom
WHO: Scott Fore – Manager of G3’s Beer Sales Group
COST: Free Members/ $20 Non-Members

WEBINAR SUMMARY

Join us for a webinar led by Scott Fore – Manager of G3’s Beer Sales Group to discuss the future of beverages on tap. This webinar will teach how putting your beverages on tap offers you lower up-front development costs, along with small-batch-to-large-batch production flexibility and higher margins in sales.

WEBINAR TAKEAWAYS

– Why are Beverages On Tap So Important to Your Business?

– What Beverages are Going on Tap?

– Who is pushing the On Tap Industry to Innovation?

– I have got this Beverage I want to put on tap. What do I need to know?

– Supply Chain – How It Works

– And much more!

REGISTER HERE!

ABOUT THE WEBINAR INSTRUCTOR

Scott Fore – Manager of G3’s Beer Sales Group

As manager of G3’s Beer Sales Group, Scott Fore manages a team of sales professionals that focus on the beer and specialty beverage market. His current role is to assist customers to expand their on-premise presence and explore export markets. He works closely with one- way petainerKegTM manufacturing and G3 teams to provide market education, filling training, technical services and logistics support so customers easily transition to this draught format. In addition to the keg, G3 offers integrated packaging solutions from crowns, corks and labels.

Scott has 24 years of deep knowledge and experiences in the beverages industry. He has worked in distribution, national accounts, category management, supply chain, import and export, production for domestic and international companies such as Southcorp Wines, Rocland Wine Group and 2X4 Brewing & Imports. He has developed distribution networks globally for wine and craft beer brands like Chocolate Box Wines, Ass Kisser Ales, Parallel 49 Brewing Company and Steamworks Brewing Company. Scott’s unique background ofsales, operations and production allows him to assess the viability of a beverage and its potential growth.

Meet Our Members – House Kombucha (CA)

Rana Chang, House Kombucha, San Leandro, CA, USA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? My mother used to brew it at home in the 90’s. She was introduced to it from some other Thai mama friends. I thought it was pretty weird, yet strangely compelling. 15 years later I saw my friend drinking […]

Wednesday, 24th October 2018

Rana Chang, House Kombucha, San Leandro, CA, USA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

My mother used to brew it at home in the 90’s. She was introduced to it from some other Thai mama friends. I thought it was pretty weird, yet strangely compelling. 15 years later I saw my friend drinking a GT’s Trilogy from a coop in Kalamazoo, Michigan and thought it was the coolest thing.

Q: Why did you start your own Kombucha company?

I wanted to start a non-alcoholic brewing company because I used to love craft beer but decided to go sober after I learned about the Baha’i Faith. The Baha’i Faith offers a path toward peace and unity for all peoples and religions. I came to understand that sobriety is not only good for one’s physical and spiritual health, but also the health of our society. I was living in San Francisco and had just graduated law school during the 2008 financial crash. In the midst of the downturn, new local food companies were having a renaissance in San Francisco and I was inspired to take a chance and pursue my dream.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

GT’s Trilogy 🙂

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I mainly was a student and did not have much career experience before starting my own company. I did legal internships and temping, substitute teaching, and tutoring but my favorite job was being a camp counselor.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

From Abdul Baha: I exhort each of you, realizing its power and beauty, to sacrifice all your thoughts, words and actions to bring the knowledge of the Love of God into every heart.

Meet Our Members – Katalyst Kombucha (MA)

Will Savitri, Katalyst Kombucha, Greenfield, MA, USA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I came across kombucha for the first time in 2002 when traveling in Hawaii. Then in 2004 I met someone that was making kombucha at home when I was traveling in western-North Carolina. He gave me a SCOBY and I drove […]

Wednesday, 24th October 2018

Will Savitri, Katalyst Kombucha, Greenfield, MA, USA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I came across kombucha for the first time in 2002 when traveling in Hawaii. Then in 2004 I met someone that was making kombucha at home when I was traveling in western-North Carolina. He gave me a SCOBY and I drove it back to Massachusetts in a juice bottle and started making it.

Q: Why did you start your own Kombucha company?

I started making kombucha with the SCOBY I brought back from North Carolina at the Sirius Community in Shutesbury, MA. I was managing the kitchen for the conference center and community meals program and I started making it in the bakery and selling it out of the walk in cooler. People loved it and I could not make enough in the bakery there. My partner Jeff Canter approached me about making it a business and we decided to give it a shot.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

I quite like the Toasted Oak Kombucha from Urban Farm Fermentory in Maine.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Before getting into kombucha I was managing small commercial kitchens and cooking in restaurants. Now I work in operations here at ArtBev and also as a consultant in the cannabis industry in Massachusetts.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

It depends on what bumper sticker happens to be on the Prius in front of me on my drive to work in the morning 🙂

Meet Our Members – Laurentian Brew Kombucha Company (Canada)

Natalie Surette and Matthew Weiss, Laurentian Brew Kombucha Company, Deep River, Ontario, Canada Q: When did you first discover kombucha? We first sipped kombucha in the Fall of 2013, quite a bit later than most as it was nowhere to be found in our neck of the woods. Kombucha became part of our […]

Friday, 19th October 2018

Natalie Surette and Matthew Weiss, Laurentian Brew Kombucha Company, Deep River, Ontario, Canada

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

We first sipped kombucha in the Fall of 2013, quite a bit later than most as it was nowhere to be found in our neck of the woods. Kombucha became part of our repertoire ferments in Fall of 2015.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

We started Laurentian Brew Kombucha Co. to bring a healthy, gut-friendly, alternative beverage to our area. We recognized the lack of selection for a non-alcoholic, low sugar drink when dining out and thought we ought to amp up the options. Plus, we really did fall head over brew in love with the fermented tea.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

At KombuchaKon 2017 we tasted a Japanese kombucha flavoured with some delicate fruit or herb we’d never heard of. It was lovely and unique. We’re also big fans of fellow Canadian brewer Pop Culture’s delicious Ginger brew.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Matt is a full time Electrical Engineer and Nat is a Photographer, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and Personal Trainer. Together we have four children and strive to make a positive presence in our community.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Work hard, play harder.

Meet Our Members – Soul Kombucha (Brazil)

Isabela Christo and Isadora Darwich, Soul Kombucha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Q: When did you first discover kombucha? Isabela and Isadora were working in the DC in 2015, when Bela’s roommate, a Californian nutrologist, introduced them to the wonder drink! Ever since both became addicted and started having a kombucha a day […]

Friday, 19th October 2018

Isabela Christo and Isadora Darwich, Soul Kombucha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

Isabela and Isadora were working in the DC in 2015, when Bela’s roommate, a Californian nutrologist, introduced them to the wonder drink! Ever since both became addicted and started having a kombucha a day to keep the problems away.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Back to Brazil for the holidays they realized that there were very few kombucha brewers in the country and the only alternative if they didn’t want to kick the habit, was to ferment this market.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

That would have to be Rise’s Blueberry & Maple! It’s like a fairy drink.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

Both were working in the non-profit sector in the US before founding the first kombucha brewery in their home state. Now they are 100% committed with Soul Kombucha!

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

Take care of your soul like you take care of your SCOBY: feed it only with sweet things!

Meet Our Members – Oregonic Tonic (OR)

Ally Yancey, Dave McGee, and Amy Zeigenfuse, Oregonic Tonic, Portland, OR, USA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? 2001, I was handed a free sample of Wonder Drink’s Asian Pear & Ginger in a bottle and I was hooked. Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company? I was teaching classes for a […]

Tuesday, 9th October 2018

Ally Yancey, Dave McGee, and Amy Zeigenfuse, Oregonic Tonic, Portland, OR, USA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

2001, I was handed a free sample of Wonder Drink’s Asian Pear & Ginger in a bottle and I was hooked.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

I was teaching classes for a few years at a home-brew shop on how to make your own kombucha. The feedback I got during these classes was that my kombucha (I liked sharing my brews to demonstrate the different stages of flavor) was different than other kombucha they purchased in stores. It got me thinking that I might have something to offer.

Eventually, my daughter, Ally, was good-naturedly bugging me about when I was finally going to open my dream kombuchery, and we realized that we could go in on it together, as a father-daughter project. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

This is a tough question. I really like so many styles of kombucha. Humm’s Pomegranate Lemonade is one of my go-tos. I also loved some of the flavors I tried at Fermensch and Dean’s Zesty Booch. We try to find a local kombucha brewery everywhere we travel.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

15 years in high-tech. Then 15-years (and still going) as a general contractor.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

“All that spirits desire, spirits attain” -Kahlil Gibrand

Meet Our Members – Blue Ridge Bucha (VA)

Kate Zuckerman, Blue Ridge Bucha, Afton, VA, USA Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I’d tried kombucha a few times before, but I really got into kombucha in 2009, after getting together with Ethan, who is now my husband and business partner. He had been home brewing kombucha since 2001, and it might […]

Tuesday, 9th October 2018

Kate Zuckerman, Blue Ridge Bucha, Afton, VA, USA

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I’d tried kombucha a few times before, but I really got into kombucha in 2009, after getting together with Ethan, who is now my husband and business partner. He had been home brewing kombucha since 2001, and it might have been the magic in his kombucha flavors that drew me to him. 😉

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

Ethan had been brewing for years, and he was coming up with flavors that our friends and family really liked. People kept asking us when we would start a kombucha company, so in 2010 we decided to give it a go.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

Humm Kombucha’s Blueberry Mint and Buchi’s Avonlea are both favorites.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I am a parent of two children, ages 4 and 6. I am also a yoga teacher, and am grateful to have a daily yoga and meditation practice as I navigate the joys and challenges of small business ownership.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about.” – Jalaluddin Rumi

Meet Our Members – HOTI (Healthy On The Inside) (Australia)

Helen Tricarico, HOTI (Healthy On The Inside), Millbank, QLD, Australia Q: When did you first discover kombucha? I learned about Kombucha in 2013 while looking for alternatives to our family’s nightly meal beverage. I had not long finished reading the book Sweet Poison by David Gillespie and wanted to cut out as much sugar […]

Monday, 1st October 2018

Helen Tricarico, HOTI (Healthy On The Inside), Millbank, QLD, Australia

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

I learned about Kombucha in 2013 while looking for alternatives to our family’s nightly meal beverage. I had not long finished reading the book Sweet Poison by David Gillespie and wanted to cut out as much sugar from our diet as possible.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

To solve a problem. I had been sharing my delicious brews with family and friends and had a number of people that I did not know contact me to purchase my Kombucha. When I explained I didn’t sell it, I realized there were so many people like me looking to solve their own health problems and that I could do something to help find a solution. HOTI Healthy On The Inside was born.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

Pretty much anything but I do make a mean Blood Orange. I also love our QLD Buchi Kombucha range.

Q: What is your former/current other life or career?

I have always worked in State or Local Government in leadership, business and customer service. But, I always wanted to be a Chef or Nutritionist, so my love for these have now been combined. I get to have the best of both worlds. I consider myself pretty lucky.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

I have a few but I particularly love this one “Life has no remote, get up and change it yourself”…it reminds me that we have choices, and everything we do is a result of the choices we make.