Colorado Kombucha Companies
Kombucha has risen in popularity in recent years due to the drink’s potential health benefits. This beverage can be found in health food stores and most grocery stores – with some people even experimenting with their own homemade kombucha. The health tonic continues to draw in consumers looking to take advantage of the many health benefits that kombucha offers, and our state has become home to a number of small-batch and handcrafted Colorado kombucha companies.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented black or green tea and a well-known health drink.
The beverage is offered in a variety of flavors and is often mixed with juice, spices, or fruit. Its distinct sparkling and lightly sweet but acidic taste is not only refreshing, but is also a good alternative to sodas and juices which are high in sugar or alcohol.
Because kombucha is fermented, it is considered a good source of probiotics. Probiotics come with many health benefits like improved digestion, increased energy, and promote a healthy metabolism. The drink is also a good source of antioxidants such as B vitamins and vitamin C, boosting the immune system and improving liver function.
How is Kombucha Made?
Kombucha is fermented green or black tea. The fermentation process begins with introducing a S.C.O.B.Y. (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) into a batch of lightly sweetened brewed tea. This mixture is left to ferment for a week or a month, and the length of fermentation will determine how sweet or vinegary the final product will be. The bacteria found in Kombucha is also found in yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir, which all have a similar fermentation process.
Kombucha Colorado Community
Are Colorado kombucha companies a well-known thing? Well, yes and no. The Centennial State is booming with craft businesses specializing in certain products, and kombucha Colorado is definitely an area that’s shining bright. If you’re looking for a little kick in your glass, also check out the best wineries in Colorado, Colorado whiskey distilleries, and Colorado vodka brands.
Best Kombucha Denver (And All Of Colorado!)
There is no shortage of kombucha in Colorado, and many companies operate out of the greater Denver area. Many breweries offer tastings to the public, but you can also find many of these best kombucha Denver brands at grocery stores, coffee shops, pubs, and farmers’ markets. Here are some of our favorites:
Happy Leaf Kombucha
The first on our list of Colorado kombucha companies is Happy Leaf Kombucha, which was one of Denver’s first kombucha breweries. The company is known for its delicious and balanced offering of healthy and hand-crafted kombucha. Happy Leaf began in 2013 and had humble beginnings selling at the Cherry Creek Farmers Market. Today, they continuously experiment with unique flavors and combinations, giving customers something new and fun to try.
Upstart Kombucha
Upstart Kombucha is based in Boulder, offering kegs and single flavor cases of their delicious and refreshing beverage.
Upstart doesn’t use any artificial flavors, and their varieties include:
- Hibiscus Blueberry
- Lemon Lavender
- Lemon Ginger
- Mint Green
- Rose Bud
- Berry Black
You can find Upstart Kombucha at various coffee shops, pubs, and bars in the greater Denver area.
Turtle Mountain
Turtle Mountain Kombucha Taproom & Fermentry began in 2014 and is a women-owned company operated by two sisters. Their Kombucha Taproom in Fort Collins is located inside The Bean Cycle Coffee Roasters and offers four taps of rotating kombucha flavors. Bring your growlers or grab a quick kombucha to go. Turtle Mountain is open seven days a week! You can also find Turtle Mountain at select grocery stores or catch them at weekly farmer’s markets. Turtle Mountain also makes and sells other fermented foods, such as Kimchi and Sauerkraut.
Springs Culture
Springs Culture was founded in late 2009 by Janie Otero after a shocking cancer diagnosis. It was afterward that she learned about the healing properties of kombucha and launched Springs Culture.
Today, Springs Culture offers kombucha in a variety of funky and hip flavors, including:
- Berry Rose Royce
- Lemon Lime Dragon Apples
- Palo Santo on Blueberry Hill
- Mo-Mojito.
Customers can pick up their orders directly from their brewhouse in Colorado Springs or at local businesses including Ute & Yeti and Ohana Kava.
Rowdy Mermaid
Rowdy Mermaid was a result of founder Jamba Dunn’s kombucha brewing hobby in his garage. When his daughter challenged him to make something that included the herbs and flowers that grew in their garden, he created something that redefined the art of brewing kombucha.
Rowdy Mermaid comes in flavors such as:
- Grapefruit Rise
- Strawberry Tonic
- Watermelon Bloom.
Customers can order Rowdy Mermaid online or at local retailers including Joe Max and Broadway Market.
Life’s a Buch
Life’s a Buch is another woman-owned small-batch brewery out of Fort Collins. Every bottle of kombucha from the company only contains 6 grams of sugar per bottle with flavors including:
- Cucumber Basil
- Berry Lemonade
- Blueberry Chai.
You can find their offerings at select grocery stores and farmers’ markets in northern Colorado. They also provide a monthly kombucha delivery subscription service so you don’t have to leave your home, the kombucha comes to you!
Mortal
Mortal is based out of Boulder, Colorado, and proudly uses functional ingredients to improve your wellbeing. Additionally, their kombucha uses liquified snowflakes from the Rocky Mountains in their mixture and is certified USDA organic and non-GMO.
Flavors in their lineup include:
- Green Tea Lime
- Watermelon Prickly Pear
- Cherry Berry.
Mortal Kombucha can be found at multiple stores and restaurants in the Boulder area, click here to find Mortal near you.
Cliffhouse Kombucha
Cliffhouse Kombucha is a family-run business in Jamestown that makes homemade kombucha in small batches. The founder of Cliffhouse has been making kombucha since 1985 and continues to hand-craft each batch himself.
Cliffhouse kombucha flavors include:
- Lemongrass
- Ginger Peach
- Orange-Raspberry
You can find Cliffhouse Kombucha in select health food stores, restaurants, and cafes in the Boulder/Denver/Fort Collins area.
Nektr Craft Kombucha
Nektr is a Colorado Springs-based kombucha company that has been in business since 2018. With the aim of making the healthiest drinks possible, they push the limits of what can be done with interesting flavors that are constantly changing.
Aside from more classic varieties, they make some stand out flavors, such as:
- Salted Watermelon
- Mango Habanero
- Blackberry Mint
If you’re trying to build a healthier habit, they even offer a Kombucha Klub that offers unlimited refills for a fixed monthly price!
Try Some Kombucha On Tap Denver And Beyond!
If you’re not thirsty for a healthy and refreshing drink from one of these Colorado kombucha companies by now, you never will be! While you’re heading out to get some kombucha on tap Denver, why not try some of the best local food to really satisfy your cravings.