Updated 3.13.2025
When it comes to flexibility, Kombucha is pretty amazing. We enjoy it with breakfast, lunch, or dinner, with snacks or on its own, before working out or after, with savory or sweet flavors, mixed into a cocktail; there’s literally no end to the combinations and possibilities! Now Hard Kombucha, that is Kombucha with higher alcohol levels that can produce a buzz, is becoming more and more popular.
And why not! Combining the flavor of Kombucha with beers or wines, as well as adding the anti-hangover effect right to your drink, makes Hard Kombucha a fun and functional choice for all kinds of drinkers. Whether it’s St. Paddy’s Day or any time of year, trying these Hard Kombucha beers and blends should be on your list!
Did we miss your favorite brand? Drop us an email and we will get it added!
St. Patrick’s Day Facts
Where did St. Patrick’s Day come from? It was originally established as a guilt-free feasting (and drinking) binge day during Lent.
Why do we wear green on St. Paddy’s? The official color of Ireland used to be blue, until the soldiers of the Irish Rebellion donned green uniforms to battle the red-coated Brits.
And the Pinching? Those not wearing green on St. Paddy’s are vulnerable to the leprechaun, and getting pinched is your reminder!
And the Beer? Although the original feast encouraged indulgence, heavy drinking was frowned upon. Beer companies’ marketing departments and “unfortunate stereotypes” have driven the link since the 80’s.
Hard Kombucha?
All Kombucha has trace amounts of alcohol. This is a normal part of the fermentation process. But usually, the yeast and bacteria present keep the levels low. With Hard Kombucha, we adjust the pH level of the fermented Kombucha and then add different yeasts that will drive those alcohol levels up.
Perfecting a Hard Kombucha is, well, hard! Disturbing the natural balance to create more alcohol while also creating a delicious flavor is the trick. As we’ve discussed before, Kombucha and beer are similar ferments, especially Lambic beers which are traditionally wild fermented, and can be combined into one powerhouse beverage, if done correctly.
Beer brewers have been experimenting with Kombucha. At the same time, Kombucha brewers are using a variety of methods for creating a Hard Kombucha that mimic beer and create a true buzz.
So in honor of the official American drinking holiday, let’s run down the list of artisanal Hard Kombucha you can find at local stores, bars, and restaurants. Most of them are naturally gluten-free because Kombucha is a tea and sugar ferment. The added yeasts increase the amount of alcohol produced. Hard Kombucha can come in a variety of flavors not typical for most beers, which makes them fun for the palate too!
Lucky 13 Hard Kombucha Brands
Boochcraft
Brewed in San Diego, Boochcraft was inspired to brew Kombucha beer after finding the recipe in The Big Book of Kombucha according to founder, Adam Hiner.
Boasting a bevy of fruit and spice inspired flavors and coming in at 7.0% ABV, Boochcraft delivers a little extra punch to the party. Plus they are now certified organic and a B corp – so you can feel good while feeling good.
The flavor combinations are unique and the alcohol content high enough to feel it in the first glass.
Flying Embers
A phoenix from the flames, Flying Embers is the latest offering from former Kevita CEO, Bill Moses.
On a mission to bring the world a healthier, higher alcohol experience, they combine adaptogens with fermentation techniques to yield an easy to drink 6-8.5% ABV product that would boast about it’s health benefits if that were allowed for alcoholic products.
They tout using champagne yeast for a crisper flavor profile and they are also organic certified.
GT’s Classic Kombucha
The godfather of the commercial Kombucha industry never stops innovating in the category. Now celebrating 30 years and rebranded to Synergy Kombucha, he proudly maintains an authentic, traditionally brewed Kombucha without any extra yeast to create the alcohol content.
Full of flavor without the hangover, these make a terrific substitute for beer or wine with natural sparkle.
Find it wherever GT’s Classic Kombucha is available. GT is a proud Founding Member of Kombucha Brewers International.
Hooch Booch
Hooch Booch is the brainchild of Anna Zesbaugh brewed up during the pandemic of 2020 and launched in just 9 short months of conception.
Based out of Denver, CO – also check out their in person Blind Tiger Lounge featuring non alcoholic and boozy concoctions to delight every type of drinker.
Hoocha Hard Kombucha
Hoocha Hard Kombucha is a woman owned business based in Petaluma, CA and offers samples of their crafted brews in their own tasting room.
Clocking in at 7% ABV, they have many organic offerings in fruity flavors as well as classic Kombucha favorites such as ginger and the ever more popular dry hopped.
Jiant
Jiant is based in Los Angeles CA and was founded by college friends in 2019. With an ABV of 5%, it delivers fruit and herb flavor combos inspired by the tropical sabor of SoCal.
JuneShine
JuneShine starts life as a raw honey & green tea Jun which then is introduced to brewers yeast and sugar in order to yield a 6% ABV product.
Based in San Diego, they also have a taproom where one can enjoy a glass of Hard Jun with friends while hanging out in a Southern California themed space.
KYLA
An acronym for Kombucha Yeast Lactobacillus Acetobacter, KYLA Hard Kombucha from Full Sail Brewing in Hood River in Oregon is low sugar thanks to the addition of stevia.
While lactobacillus is not normally present in Kombucha cultures, it does appear here. It is likely an ingredient to mellow the acetic bite naturally present in Kombucha.
At 6.5% ABV and in three flavors, this can work with nearly any low carb, gluten free, sugar free dietary restrictions.
Local Roots
Based in Southern California, Local Roots brews both hard and “soft” Kombuchas. Their hard line is at 6% ABV and includes fun cocktail based flavors like Strawberry Mojito, Cali Mule and Booch Mosa.
Plus they have 2 taproom locations in the San Diego region of Southern CA. And they are long time members of Kombucha Brewers International.
Luna Bay
Luna Bay is a female founded, female run hard Kombucha brand based in Chicago that uses a base ferment of Yerba Mate. They have several flavors with more exotic profiles including Palo Santo Blueberry and Lychee Lime. The alcohol content is 6% ABV.
Sierra Nevada Strainge Beast
The mainstream beer industry has taken notice of the explosive popularity of Hard Kombucha! Sierra Nevada’s release of Strainge Beast does not disappoint. Our first question before tasting is if the Kombucha was going to be as irresistible as their label’s artwork! Fortunately it does not disappoint at 7% ABV.
Unity Vibration Kombucha Beer
The Kanaan’s became one of the first licensed brewers in the nation to introduce a Kombucha-based beer in 2010. Unity Vibration Hard Kombucha comes in a variety of tasty flavors with an ABV ranging from 8-9%.
Their Bourbon Peach has won several awards and they continue to develop new flavors and varieties of Kombucha beer. UVLT Kombucha beer is available across the United States.
Wild Tonic Hard Jun
The first national brand of Jun, Kombucha’s raw honey cousin, now has a hard version. Wild Tonic Hard Jun features an ABV of 4-8% and a range of fruity flavors, it’s easy to forget that it’s alcoholic.
The light honey flavor provides a crisp background for the fruits, herbs and flowers infused into Wild Tonic.
Brew Your OWN Hard Kombucha!
-
Sale!
The Big Book of Kombucha – 400 Recipes
$21.95 – $31.95 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
The Big Book of Kombucha has a recipe for Hard Kombucha so that anyone can experiment with their homebrew today!
Check out the recipe on page 152 for more details. With over 200K copies sold, its no wonder this packed resource is invaluable to Kombucha brewers around the globe. So whether you are looking to take it to the market or just share with friends, get your copy and start experimenting today.
A Fond Look Back: Fleur by Goose Island
In a world of many choices, some products don’t always continue to make the cut and are retired from the repertoire.
One such beverage was a pioneer in its heyday, Fleur, This hibiscus tea Kombucha beer brewed by Goose Island Brewery in Chicago.
Enjoy a look back at Tom, John and the pink SCOBYs of Fleur!
Note: Fleur has been revived and vintage bottles may still be found at select outlets.
********
A Fond Look Back: Beyond Kombucha’s Mava Roka Kombucha Ale
The labeling discrepancy that forced many Kombucha manufacturers to reformulate in 2011 yielded some creative new offerings.
Preferring not to tinker with a carefully perfected Kombucha recipe, Beyond Kombucha became the first above .5% ABV licensed kombucha brewer on the East Coast.
With brewery license in hand, they created the first Kombucha Ale for the commercial market.
Boasting a 6.5% ABV, Mava Roka (Maple Vanilla Rooibos Kombucha Ale) was a sweet-sour brew that started off as a vanilla rooibos tea Kombucha in oak casks. Maple syrup was then added at the second fermentation stage to give the ale a sweet fizziness.
Unfortunately, Beyond closed in 2014.
1 Trackback or Pingback