The International free kombucha festival, BOOCHFEST took place at Landsdowne Park in Ottawa inside the Horticulture Building this past weekend.

We were floored by the absolute success of this festival! Founders and organizers, Drew and Samira took their love of kombucha and poured it into this event. They had a dream to bring an international kombucha festival to the area and boy did they make it happen!

The anticipation was high and we weren't sure what to expect but as the day progressed, it was clear that the event had surpassed expectations. After a brief opening ceremony with a word from the Boochfest Founders and ribbon cutting including Rise Kombucha, the crowds piled in and were given a sample cup to try all sorts of flavours of kombucha.

We were in good company along with brewers Culture Kombucha, Y Kombucha, Quetzal Kombucha, Brew Dr. Kombucha, GT'S Kombucha, Elikxir Kombucha, Cathy's Kombucha, Live Kombucha, Carlington Booch, Rise Kombucha, Bucha Brew, Vox Kombucha, Artizen Kombucha, Lao Kombucha, Pyramid Ferments, and from all the way overseas, Kombucha Iceland!!

"They just kept coming in", fellow brewers said as we re-capped the event. There was barely a moment for us to try other brews as most of us were a two-person crew, working non-stop from 10-4 to serve up samples, offering kombucha on tap and selling our bottles. 

"It was crazy!" our heads are still spinning from the action. With music going, an excited crowd with bellies full of kombucha were mostly in the know about the fermented tea. This isn't the norm for us as we are used to explaining the process and answering numerous questions about the brew. 
"Everyone already knew what kombucha was! We never get that".

It was an event to meet the makers and sip on new flavours. Attendees made the rounds and then decided on their faves or picked up an assortment to bring home. There was also a competition for homebrewers which was judged by a panel of commercial kombucha connoisseurs.

We met so many people, made wonderful new connections, learned about upcoming brewers, saw familiar faces and had visits from friends. 

As a brewer, it was phenomenal. Well organized, nice facility, highlighted the industry, and had cold storage and ice on site. We can't thank Drew and Samira enough!

BOOCHFEST 2018 was a riot!! Can't wait for next year!

The 2nd annual Lemonade Yoga Festival was a success!!

So awesome to have this festival right in the Valley! Lemonade featured a variety of FREE outdoor yoga classes (doesn't get better than that!) for all ages from 11-6, SUP demonstrations and water fun, plus great local vendors. 

We always love meeting up with local business owners, passionate yogis and kombucha newbies and fans. Lemonade did not disappoint.

A big thanks to Maegan, the White Pine Yoga team and instructors, AWE Yoga, and all volunteers and organizers!

 And thanks to all who stopped by our booth. You guys are the reason we love festivals!

Check it out!!

We're launching our BOOCH BOMBS tomorrow just in time for the weekend and the height of festival season. 

These babies pack a crazy, puckering punch! Full of potent herbs, fresh raw juice, in a base of raw kombucha, Booch Bombs are a powerful herbal drink. Take a shot at a time or down the whole 5 oz bottle to give your gut a boost. 

We've developed two completely different, extremely tasty varieties!

Bug-Buster
Ever hear of the dreaded Summer cold or flu?? It's been going around and let me tell you, the Bug-Buster will give it the blast it needs. 
With anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-viral ingredients including a whack of freshly juiced raw carrot and ginger, loads of turmeric, calendula flowers, cayenne pepper, and black pepper (needed to help absorb the active ingredient in turmeric curcumin), Bug-Buster is full of nutrients to help your immune system get back on track. 

Living Green
We can all use a little more green in our life! How about a mega-dose of spirulina and chlorella green algae, holy basil, lemon balm and pineapple juice!? These green algae superfoods are known detoxifiers, helping to rid the body of toxins, alkalize the system and boost energy. Paired with the adaptogen holy basil which has been identified to reduce stress and anxiety, along with similar benefits from lemon balm, and a refreshing finish of fresh pineapple juice, the Living Green is bold in colour, taste and benefits. 

We'll have our Booch Bombs in tow this weekend at Lemonade Yoga Festival and BOOCHFEST!!
Hope to see you there!

Joanne's Valu-Mart has welcomed us in to their store!

You'll find our full selection of kombucha in the fridge at Joanne's Valu-Mart in Shawville, Québec. 

Situated on Main Street in the heart of the town, Joanne's Valu-Mart serves as the main grocery store for Shawville and the surrounding areas. The store offers a wide selection of produce, ready-made meals, dairy and non-perishables including specialty items, a large frozen foods section, a bakery, a meat and deli department, some garden centre options. as well as an assortment of alcoholic beverages. 

Finding available refrigerated space in a grocery store is not always easy, so we appreciate that Joanne and her team have put up valuable real estate for The Great Eight kombucha variety. 

We learned that Joanne's Valu-Mart has just celebrated their fourth anniversary. Congratulations! We wish you great success in the years to come. 

Another great spot in Québec to add to the map! 

Kombucha is in stock Alice General Store - LCBO & The Beer Store Depot (formerly Lennartz Corner Gas) 6137358307
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Find out what flavours of kombucha are in stock along with The Urban Gourmet's Oils, Chef Bills Preserves, homemade goods, maple syrup, fresh sandwiches and specialty coffees. The gas station and auto service business is expanding their wares to include additional locally made products. 

With their chip truck open from 11-3, you can pop in for a grab and go lunch, or stay and sit in their dining area and enjoy your Summer treat. If you check the cooler, you'll find local meats and goods from Ullrich's, McGarroch's, Uncle Jims, or Klaesis Bakery. Lennartz is also a great spot to stock up on camping staples like firewood, kindling, coal, starter fluid, worms for fishing, ice, and smore kits. 

Located just on the outskirts of Pzembroke at the corner of Round Lake Road and Doran Road, the  Lennartz Auto Service station is your go-to for repairs, maintenance and vehicle needs. With over 25 years experience, Owner Stefan Lennartz, originally from Germany, has become the local import vehicle specialist in the area offering exceptional service to the Pembroke area and beyond. 

We're loving the expanding business ideas and local collaborations! Stop in to Lennartz on your way to cottage country. 

Have you been to the Neat Coffee Shop?? If not, you've been missing out!

This gem of a café is located on Calabogie Road in Burnstown, Ontario and is an incredible place to stop for a bite to eat. We've never been disappointed! Perfect for a short road trip, the Neat Coffee Shop has a full menu including daily specials, soups, salads, and wood-fired pizza (even gluten-free!) plus specialty coffees and adult beverages. But wait.. there's more!

The Neat Coffee Shop also hosts live shows and up-close-and-personal intimate concerts. The venue has seen plenty of amazing talent through their doors and has a full line-up of events planned for the Summer. Check out https://neatmusicandcoffee.ca/collections/tickets to see who's up next and to purchase your ticket. Act fast, some shows are already sold out! 

We're pretty excited that Co-Owner Mark Enright hopped on board the booch train and brought in three flavours of kombucha! A healthy, local brew to pair well with the delicious, made-from-scratch food in the café. Food is local when possible and they even started growing their own produce just outside the door. 

Stepping out onto the patio, we made some new friends and were witness (perfect timing!) to the first sip of the first bottle of kombucha sold. 

Now that's pretty Neat. 

Big thanks to Mark and everyone at the Neat Coffee Shop! This is going to be a great Summer!