Chronogram Magazine
The Booch Belt: Hudson Valley Kombucha Brewers
Ah yes, kombucha—the fabled fermented elixir of the 21st-century health nut. With its probiotic-boosting, immune-reinforcing qualities, and its slightly acrid yet addictive effervescence, ‘booch has found a broad market with everyone from kindergarten teachers to hungover Millennials and middle-aged dads.
Like most trending products that have hit the mainstream, Hudson Valley makers have found a way to create their own artisanal version. Between the sauerkraut slingers and apothecary peddlers, kombucha is right at home here in Upstate New York, and there is no shortage of local suppliers.
Here are five Hudson Valley kombucha brewers, whose creative variations on the theme will convince even those most dubious of skeptics.
SeekNorth, Kingston
When Julian Lesser was diagnosed with neurological Lyme’s Disease, he left his job with us at Luminary Media to rest and recover. His partner, Philippe Trinh, had been perfecting his kombucha-making skills for years, and it suddenly became apparent that his alchemy and aesthetic combined with Lesser’s marketing experience were a dream-team. So together they created Seek North, which is made in small batches in their home kitchen in Kingston. The brand’s three bottled flavors—hibiscus and ginger; elderflower and pineapple; and pomegranate, blueberry, and lemon—each focus on a different aspect of health: harmony, immunity, and clarity.
On tap flavors also include APPLE HIBISCUS LAVENDER; pineapple passionfruit, prickly pear, and jasmine. Using a cutting-edge technology called the Spinning Cone Column (SCC), SeekNorth separates the alcohol content from the kombucha without affecting the probiotic or nutrient profile, making them one of the only virtually alcohol-free booch brands.
Additionally, SeekNorth donates a portion of all their proceeds to fighting Lyme’s Disease in honor of Lesser. Seek North’s kombucha is available in restaurants, markets, and breweries in Newburgh, Beacon, Poughkeepsie, New Paltz, and Monroe.
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To read more about the other 4 kombucha listed and to read the full article, visit -Chronogram.com-