Meet Our Members – Kombucharista (NY)

Brendan Multala, Kombucharista, Rochester, NY Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I remember it so clearly! I was in about eighth grade and I saw a Kevita bottle in the cooler section while shopping with my mom and thought “Oh, this is new and interesting.” It took a bit to convince my mom […]

Monday, 28th November 2022

Brendan Multala, Kombucharista, Rochester, NY

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I remember it so clearly! I was in about eighth grade and I saw a Kevita bottle in the cooler section while shopping with my mom and thought “Oh, this is new and interesting.” It took a bit to convince my mom to purchase it, since the cost of kombucha can begin to add up, but I absolutely loved the taste of the Lemon Cayenne kombucha that Kevita offered and solely drank that for years. Once I got my first job, I admittedly spent a large percentage of my paycheck on kombucha.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I truthfully did not intend on owning a business. I witnessed my dad owning businesses growing up and saw what a challenge it could be at times, along with how much grit someone needs to have to follow through. Once I graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with my B.S. in Economics, however, I was able to better analyze the market. I quickly realized there were flavors that were missing from the marketplace, those being cocktail flavored kombucha. I began experimenting with a mule flavor and realized I had found my niche. That is how Kombucharista was born; I wanted to make a mocktail that didn’t have added simple syrups or soda for consumers that don’t drink but wanted a product that could also be mixed with liquor to create a healthier, classic cocktail. Everyone wins!

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: To this day, the very first flavor I tried when I was 13 is still my favorite. The Kevita brand has a Cayenne Lemon flavor that is refreshing and light; even though I have seemingly unlimited amounts of my own kombucha I still find myself putting numerous bottles in my shopping cart.

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

A: I have been a server or bartender since I was 18, and I still am. I have met amazing customers who want to support my business so I am still part time in the service industry (for now).

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: I have had a quote written down that I keep by my desk since my last semester of college. It says, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” It’s a quote by Henry Ford that reminds me to go with my gut. It’s gotten me this far so I think it’s been a good reminder!

Meet Our Members – Alex Plut (AUT)

Alex Plut, Austria Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: Just this January! Way too late for my taste. Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company? A: Absolutely fell in love with the drink itself, the beauty in its simplicity and how exceptionally well it (can) taste if you don`t take corners […]

Thursday, 10th November 2022

Alex Plut, Austria

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: Just this January! Way too late for my taste.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: Absolutely fell in love with the drink itself, the beauty in its simplicity and how exceptionally well it (can) taste if you don`t take corners on the quality of things. Nature at its best.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: Favorite Booch: Pineapple / Ginger / Lemon Favorite Brand: Thrive Brew

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

A: Just finished business school in Vienna, but grew up in Salzburg. Have been playing basketball for over 14 years now and absolutley love to cook! Check out my blog @schurlisfood (sorry for the promo, but hey – its not that bad)

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Don`t count the days, make the days count.

Meet Our Members – Coastal Craft Kombucha (NY)

Rachel Rappa, Coastal Craft Kombucha, Oceanside, NY Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I first discovered kombucha in my search for anything that would help my digestive system as I was wreaking havoc on it. I have always looked to food as medicine over traditional medicine. Q: Why did you start your own […]

Thursday, 3rd November 2022

Rachel Rappa, Coastal Craft Kombucha, Oceanside, NY

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first discovered kombucha in my search for anything that would help my digestive system as I was wreaking havoc on it. I have always looked to food as medicine over traditional medicine.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: When I first came across kombucha like many I didn’t actually enjoy it but I appreciated how it made me feel. At the time I had recently developed one fundamental belief which is that living a healthy life and eating healthy food shouldn’t be anything short of enjoyable. With that in mind I started Coastal Craft as a homegrown operation that was built on a foundation of passion and respect for all things creative. Drawing inspiration from the culinary world around me, I grew a deep appreciation for innovative flavor combinations derived from the freshest wholesome ingredients. The more I consumed, the more my curiosity evolved. When it came to kombucha I felt compelled to take something seemingly ordinary and make it extraordinary, and we continue to share those same values to this day as our core mission.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: Gt’s Classic Divine Grape

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

A: I was previously a baker and bartender. Never in my life have I had a 9-5, I always followed my passions and let my creativity and curiosity guide my career path.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Live life to its fullest…follow your dreams, work hard, play hard, love hard and always be yourself, everything else will fall into place!

Meet Our Members – Key Beverages (KY)

Kasey Guelda, Key Beverages, Louisville, KY Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I discovered Kombucha 7 years ago! It’s actually a funny story, I loved wine at the time, as most do in there 20’s, and was very hungover one day and my best friend was like you have to try this drink! […]

Wednesday, 5th October 2022

Kasey Guelda, Key Beverages, Louisville, KY

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I discovered Kombucha 7 years ago! It’s actually a funny story, I loved wine at the time, as most do in there 20’s, and was very hungover one day and my best friend was like you have to try this drink! It can help with your hang over and so much more! That was the first day I tried GTS Gingerade Kombucha and that led to me making it myself and my discovery of Water Kefir, which is what my company Key Beverages brews and sells in the Louisville, KY area. Discovering live, raw, fermented beverages was a game changer for me not only on my journey to quitting drinking alcohol but for my gut health as well.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I started my own Water Kefir company because there are so few companies out there doing it. I made kombucha for years and kept giving it to my family, the flavor was just too intense for them, so I started my search for something that could bring them the same or similar benefits but with a milder flavor and discovered water kefir. After making it for some time and giving it to friends and family I knew I was on to something so I started to sell it on social media and it has expanded from there.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: Its summer time so I would say my favorite flavor of kombucha right now would be Watermelon Crush by Elixir Kombucha in Louisville, KY. I love watermelon and this flavor is so refreshing!

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

A: While I build my brand, I am still working full time as the Sales and Operations Manager of a company called Garage Solutions Louisville. We do custom epoxy/polyurethane floor coatings, custom cabinetry, shelving, slatwall, overhead racks, and more.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: While I find other people’s words and quotes inspiring, I find personal affirmations more transformative. One of my personal favorites is “I do not have to hustle to prove my worth. I am enough just as I am.”

Member Dues Increase – First time in 8 years!

New Dues and Tier Structure Generates Operating Budget to Support KBI Staff and Initiatives As KBI nears the end of its 8th year as an organization, it’s tremendous to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished on a shoestring budget, thanks in no small part to Kombucha Kamp and KBI’s thrifty values. The last time there […]

Saturday, 1st October 2022

New Dues and Tier Structure Generates Operating Budget to Support KBI Staff and Initiatives

As KBI nears the end of its 8th year as an organization, it’s tremendous to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished on a shoestring budget, thanks in no small part to Kombucha Kamp and KBI’s thrifty values. The last time there was a dues raise and tier change was in 2016. Wow! Dues have only increased 2 times in the last 8 years!

The new dues structure will ensure that KBI has the operational budget to support the growing needs of the members and provide the staff support needed for all of our programming – KombuchaKon, Kombucha Kup, SYMBIOSIS Magazine, Wednesday Webinars, Quarterly Campfire Chats and so much more! Check out the Member Benefit Guide at the bottom of the page for additional resources.

At every tier level, for less than a penny a bottle, the dues ensure that brands have access to valuable education and resources, plus it affords KBI the ability to pivot quickly in crucial situations such as the South Carolina matter that was swiftly resolved earlier this year and resulted in a crucial win for the industry.

KBI often intervenes on behalf of brands and the entire kombucha industry in regulatory matters across the globe. Here are a few examples:

South Carolina – kombucha remains classified as a non-alcoholic beverage and is not subject to excise tax nor carding
New York – kombucha remains classified as a non-alcoholic beverage and is not subject to excise tax nor carding
Michigan – communicate what information needs to be included for HACCP and testing
Brazil – Kombucha Standard of Identity – maintain that fermentation is a required step to be considered kombucha despite pressure from soda companies to water it down
Spain – support brands in paying of lower tax due to higher alcohol content of kombucha (above 0.5% and below the legal limit of 1.2% ABV)
France – support the establishment of Kombucha France and pursuit of TSG (Traditional Specialty Guarantee) designation to protect raw kombucha
TTB – ongoing communication and outreach to strengthen regulator relationships
KOMBUCHA Act – ongoing legislative effort to maintain low barrier to entry for kombucha and make commonsense update to law to maintain compliance

New Tier Levels & Dues Structure

Brewery Member Benefits Guide - Click to View

Affiliate Member Benefits Guide - Click to View

Meet Our Members – Boochy Mama’s Kombucha (OH)

Stacy Jurich, Boochy Mama’s Kombucha, Toledo , OH Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: 2006 a friend bought me a GT’s green kombucha – I loved it! Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company? A: I knew kombucha was coming to the Midwest, and I wanted to be the first […]

Thursday, 22nd September 2022

Stacy Jurich, Boochy Mama’s Kombucha, Toledo , OH

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: 2006 a friend bought me a GT’s green kombucha – I loved it!

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I knew kombucha was coming to the Midwest, and I wanted to be the first to bring it to our corner of Ohio. Plus, I had already started a small, bicycle-delivery home kombucha business without intending to do so; taking it to the next step (commercial) seemed like an organic next step.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: I like Brew Dr.’s Clear Mind.

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

A: Prior to starting Boochy Mama’s, I was a substitute teacher and tennis coach. After a year and half into the business, I was able to quit my other jobs and do this full time.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Sustainability on all fronts; emotional, physical, environmental, economical, mental.

Meet Our Members – Divs Kombucha (IND)

Divya Kumar, Divs Kombucha, Chennai, India Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I discovered Kombucha twice. The first time, a friendly neighbour had an unusually sour aroma coming from her apartment, I actually asked her if she was cleaning! She told me she was brewing Kombucha, and that’s when I got a first […]

Thursday, 22nd September 2022

Divya Kumar, Divs Kombucha, Chennai, India

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I discovered Kombucha twice. The first time, a friendly neighbour had an unusually sour aroma coming from her apartment, I actually asked her if she was cleaning! She told me she was brewing Kombucha, and that’s when I got a first sip of such an unusual drink. Fast forward over a decade to the start of the pandemic, another neighbour but this time thousands of miles away in my hometown, the coastal city of Chennai, India, lent me her starter. And there’s no looking back.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: Chennai-folks have a wonderfully complex palette but there were hardly any all natural beverages that were localised to our taste. Plus covid-recovery saw an increased awareness in gut health and healing. In the middle of all of this, my mother’s garden was blooming with the best hibiscus, roses, passion fruit, mangoes and what not. My love for brewing matched the timing, that’s all. I still can’t believe I get to run a kombucha company 🙂

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: Recently enjoying Currant by BoochMan and Rose by Dr.Hops

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

A: In a previous life, I was in the tech industry, building apps, wearing many hats. Now besides brewing, I manage an Airbnb that shares space with my kombucha brewery in Chennai. Come visit!

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: “May your dreams not come true. May things that you could not dream of happen to you. May you explore possibilities that have never been touched or reached before.”

Meet Our Members – Tally Kombucha (FL)

Michaela Teasley, Tally Kombucha, Tallahassee, FL Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I was having gut issues right after having my first child and after months of feeling a decline in my overall health my mom gifted me with her personal stash of kombucha. Within 10 to 15 minutes I could feel […]

Monday, 12th September 2022

Michaela Teasley, Tally Kombucha, Tallahassee, FL

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I was having gut issues right after having my first child and after months of feeling a decline in my overall health my mom gifted me with her personal stash of kombucha. Within 10 to 15 minutes I could feel my stomach deflate, my mood change and no more tummy ache.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: Well I intended it just for it to be for my family but after sharing it with other moms in my mommy group and selling off my additional scobies I took a moment and wondered if this could be something bigger. I let the thought go and got contacted by a local restaurant about carrying our kombucha and knew it was time to make this bigger.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: Health Aid-Pink Apple

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

A: I was a business consultant for startups and small businesses specializing in marketing and strategic planning, but the time came to where I needed to have my own business

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: be the change you want to see in the world- Mahatma Gandhi

Meet Our Members – Pudgy Pigeon Kombucha Brew (Canada)

Heather Furneaux, Pudgy Pigeon Kombucha Brew, Canada Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: I first discovered kombucha in 2014 when an old partner introduced me to it where I thought the culture was a bit scary looking and the taste was a bit tart for me. I soon began to try different brands […]

Monday, 12th September 2022

Heather Furneaux, Pudgy Pigeon Kombucha Brew, Canada

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: I first discovered kombucha in 2014 when an old partner introduced me to it where I thought the culture was a bit scary looking and the taste was a bit tart for me. I soon began to try different brands from the store and fell in love with the taste and health benefits.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I was living in New Zealand when I started making kombucha in 2018. Always having a love for medicinals and natural healing I was curious and drawn to make this healthy potion. I knew I wanted to create a business and a connection to New Zealand. Fascinated with their bird life I came up with the idea for Pudgy Pigeon Kombucha Brew. Pudgy Pigeon is nicknamed after the Kererū from Aotearoa, also known as the New Zealand Wood Pigeon, a protected bird with a taste for fermented fruit. Kererū have earned a reputation as the drunkest bird in New Zealand, and have been known to fall from trees after consuming rotting fruit left lying on the ground. During the summer when fruit is abundant, drunk kererū are sometimes taken to wildlife centres to sober up.

The name seemed suitable for my company as it shares a story of fermentation and universal connection.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: Brew Dr, GT’s and Moore Kombucha.

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

A: I work in the front line of supported housing on the side and during the summer I work kombucha full time. Working kombucha full time is my goal.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: Never say never. Always be open to learning, think limitless and hold unconditional love.

Meet Our Members – Lao Kombucha (Canada)

Jonathan Cloutier, Lao Kombucha, Canada Q: When did you first discover kombucha? A: When I first drank kombucha, I wasn’t even aware that it was kombucha. Back in 2015, I was working as a plumber, and while changing a bath, my client offered me a bottle. We were talking about tea, and he told […]

Monday, 29th August 2022

Jonathan Cloutier, Lao Kombucha, Canada

Q: When did you first discover kombucha?

A: When I first drank kombucha, I wasn’t even aware that it was kombucha. Back in 2015, I was working as a plumber, and while changing a bath, my client offered me a bottle. We were talking about tea, and he told me that this was a fermented tea beverage.

Q: Why did you start your own kombucha company?

A: In 2016, I was eager to start a company for some years and one sunny day of March, a friend and I were sitting on my balcony, I was talking about tea and he was talking about fermentation. Our passion brought us to an obvious topic, kombucha. So we started looking around to find what was on the market and as a «tea geek» I was shocked at how the kombucha companies were dismissing the most important ingredient in their product: the tea. So, we decided to start on this entrepreneurial journey of brewing high quality kombucha that flirts with the world of sommellerie by putting impressive and delicious tea at the forefront of our products.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of kombucha?

A: My favorite kombucha is more of a flavor type than a specific one. I really do like rustic flavors. The one that reminds us of the forest, the earth and the wood.

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

A: Back in the days, my dream was to be a firefighter but as I’m totally deaf on the left side and partially on the right, I don’t have any sense of sound direction. So I end up being a plumber instead. I’ve been working in this field for 9 years before quitting everything to start LAO.

Q: What is a saying that you live by?

A: He who stands on tiptoe doesn’t stand firm. He who rushes ahead doesn’t go far. – Lao Tzeu, Tao Te Ching