Best Places To Buy Kombucha Beer

Kombucha is a fermented tea made with yeast, bacteria, sugar, and tea. The drink is often considered alive because it is not filtered or pasteurized, and therefore contains microorganisms that are beneficial to gut health. Hard kombucha is made by adding more sugar and yeast to increase the alcohol content. It is naturally gluten-free and has a similar flavour profile to its non-alcoholic counterpart. Hard kombucha can be purchased from online retailers such as Drizly, Amazon, and Minibar Delivery, and from local retailers such as BeerMenus.

Online retailers that sell kombucha beer

There are several online retailers that sell kombucha beer. Here is a list of some of the top options:

Drizly

Drizly is a popular choice for purchasing kombucha beer online. They offer a variety of brands, including Boochcraft, JuneShine, Kyla, Unity Vibration, and Flying Embers. Drizly is known for its wide selection of craft beers and alternative beverages. They provide detailed descriptions of each product, making it easy for customers to find the perfect kombucha beer to suit their tastes.

Amazon

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, also offers a selection of kombucha beers. One notable option available on Amazon is Jiant Hard Kombucha. Jiant uses Dragon Well green tea and Himalayan acacia honey to create a mild and easy-drinking experience. Amazon's vast network of sellers and distributors ensures a diverse range of products and timely delivery.

Instacart

Instacart is another convenient option for purchasing kombucha beer. They offer brands such as Boochcraft, Unity Vibration, and Dr Hops Real Hard Kombucha. Instacart's strength lies in its partnership with various retailers, allowing customers to shop from multiple stores in one go and providing a wide range of product choices.

Minibar Delivery

Minibar Delivery is a specialised online retailer for alcoholic beverages, including kombucha beer. They offer brands like JuneShine, Flying Embers, and Kombrewcha. Minibar Delivery is known for its user-friendly platform and convenient delivery options, making it easy for customers to stock up on their favourite kombucha beers without leaving home.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market, the well-known natural and organic grocery store, also offers kombucha beer through its online store. Unity Vibration Kombucha Beer is one of the featured brands available on their website. Whole Foods Market appeals to health-conscious consumers with its focus on natural and organic products, and its kombucha selection aligns with this ethos.

These online retailers provide a convenient way to purchase kombucha beer, offering a diverse range of brands and flavours to suit different preferences. With their delivery options and detailed product information, they make it accessible for anyone to enjoy this unique and trendy beverage.

Local stores that stock kombucha beer

Kombucha is a fermented tea, often considered a "health beverage" due to its gut-friendly bacteria and probiotics. Hard kombucha is made by adding extra fermentation to regular kombucha, resulting in a higher alcohol content.

Drizly

Drizly offers a range of hard kombucha brands, including Boochcraft, Jiant, JuneShine, Kyla, Unity Vibration, Dr Hops, and Flying Embers. They provide an online platform for users to purchase their desired kombucha and have it delivered to their doorstep within 60 minutes.

BeerMenus

BeerMenus is an online platform that helps users find nearby places that sell specific beers. While they did not have any locations with Unity Vibration Living Kombucha beer at the time of search, they provide a useful service for checking local stockists of various beers, including kombucha options.

Kombrewcha

Kombrewcha is a Brooklyn-based producer of hard kombucha, distributing to 15 states and the District of Columbia. Their products are organic and come in a range of flavours, including Mango Pineapple, Lemon Ginger, Berry Hibiscus, and Blood Orange.

Unity Vibration

Based in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Unity Vibration is a kombucha producer that creates a range of kombucha beers, including Triple Goddess Ginger, Bourbon Peach, Raspberry, and Pale Ale. Their products are vegan, organic, and gluten-free, with unique and funky flavours.

Local Retailers

Hard kombucha can often be found at local retailers, including liquor stores and specialty beer shops. It is worth checking with local stores to see if they stock kombucha beer or can order it for you.

Kombucha beer is a unique and intriguing beverage, offering a combination of health-focused ingredients and a tangy, funky flavour profile. These local stores provide a great starting point for those looking to explore and enjoy this interesting drink.

The health benefits of kombucha beer

Kombucha beer is a popular alcoholic beverage among health-conscious drinkers due to its all-natural ingredients and potential gut-health benefits. While hard kombucha is not considered a healthy drink, it may be a better choice than other alcoholic beverages. Here are some of the potential health benefits of kombucha beer:

Probiotics and Gut Health

Kombucha contains strains of beneficial bacteria known as probiotics, which promote gut health and support digestion. Probiotics provide your gut with healthy bacteria, which may improve digestion, inflammation, and even weight loss. However, it is unclear whether the alcohol content in hard kombucha affects its probiotic content.

Green Tea Benefits

Kombucha made from green tea contains many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. Green tea consumption is associated with increased calorie-burning, reduced belly fat, improved cholesterol levels, and better blood sugar control. Kombucha made from green tea may offer similar health benefits.

Liver Health

Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant effects on the liver. Some studies have found that drinking kombucha regularly reduces liver toxicity caused by toxic chemicals. While human studies are lacking, it shows promise for people with liver disease.

Killing Harmful Bacteria

Kombucha contains acetic acid, also found in vinegar, which has strong antibacterial properties. It can suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts, such as E. coli and Salmonella typhi, without affecting the beneficial bacteria involved in kombucha fermentation.

Heart Health

Kombucha may help reduce the risk of heart disease by improving "good" HDL cholesterol and decreasing "bad" LDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, the polyphenols in tea protect LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is thought to contribute to heart disease.

Type 2 Diabetes Management

Some studies suggest that kombucha may help manage type 2 diabetes by slowing down carbohydrate digestion, reducing blood sugar levels, and improving liver and kidney function. However, further human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

While kombucha beer may offer these potential health benefits, it is important to remember that it is still an alcoholic beverage and should be consumed in moderation. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommends no more than one drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men.

How to make kombucha beer

Kombucha beer is a unique drink that combines the health benefits of kombucha with the fun of beer. If you're interested in making your own kombucha beer at home, here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast)
• Tea (black, green, or white)
• Sugar (regular white sugar or alternative sweeteners like honey or agave)
• Water
• Beer yeast (optional)
• Brewing vessel (glass or ceramic container)
• Cloth cover
• Bottles for storage

Brewing Process:

Step 1: Prepare the Tea

• Boil water and add tea leaves or tea bags.
• Steep the tea according to the type of tea you're using.
• Remove the tea leaves or tea bags and add sugar. Stir until dissolved.
• Allow the tea to cool down to room temperature.

Step 2: Ferment with SCOBY

• Place the SCOBY in the brewing vessel.
• Pour the sweetened tea over the SCOBY.
• Cover the vessel with a cloth to allow airflow while keeping insects out.
• Store the vessel in a warm, dark place for 7-14 days.

Step 3: Add Beer Yeast (Optional)

• After the initial fermentation, you can add beer yeast to increase the alcohol content.
• Choose a beer yeast strain that suits your desired beer style.
• Follow the instructions on the yeast package for proper rehydration and activation.
• Add the activated yeast to the kombucha and stir gently.

Step 4: Second Fermentation

• Bottle the kombucha and seal the bottles tightly.
• Store the bottles in a warm place for a second fermentation.
• The duration of this step depends on your preference for alcohol content and carbonation.

Step 5: Flavouring (Optional)

• During the second fermentation, you can add various ingredients for flavouring, such as fruits, herbs, or spices.
• Cut up or crush the ingredients and add them directly to the bottles.
• Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite flavours.

Step 6: Ageing and Bottling

• After the second fermentation, move the bottles to a cool, dark place to age.
• Ageing can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on your desired flavour profile.
• Once the kombucha beer has aged to your liking, refrigerate the bottles to slow down further fermentation.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Kombucha Beer

• Your kombucha beer is now ready to drink!
• Pour yourself a glass and enjoy the unique flavour and health benefits of your homemade brew.

Keep in mind that kombucha beer is a living beverage, and the alcohol content can continue to increase over time. Always be mindful of the alcohol level and consume it responsibly.

The alcohol content of kombucha beer

Kombucha is a fermented drink and therefore contains alcohol. However, the amount of alcohol is typically very low, and it is usually considered a non-alcoholic beverage. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) classifies drinks as non-alcoholic if they contain less than 0.5% alcohol by volume, and most commercial kombucha products fall into this category. Commercially produced kombucha must contain less than 0.5% ABV to be sold as non-alcoholic.

However, the alcohol content of kombucha can vary. Homemade kombucha, for example, may have a higher alcohol content, and some home brewers may not control the processes in the same way as commercial manufacturers. Tests on commercial kombucha have shown that some manufacturers struggle to keep alcohol levels below 0.5%, and bottles on shelves at 2-3% ABV are not uncommon.

The alcohol content of kombucha depends on several factors. The longer the brew, the higher the alcohol content, as the drink has more time to produce alcohol. The type of yeast used also impacts the level of alcohol; yeast that can ferment at lower temperatures will produce a lower-alcohol brew.

Hard kombucha is a variety of the drink that has been allowed to ferment for longer, resulting in a higher alcohol content than traditional kombucha. While the alcohol content can vary by brand and brewing process, hard kombucha typically contains around 4-7% ABV. As a result, the TTB considers hard kombucha an alcoholic beverage and subjects it to the same regulations as beer and wine.

Frequently asked questions