Happy 2023! New Year, New Retailers!

86 Bistro & Market has four flavours of kombucha in stock. If you haven’t yet been in, you need to stop by, grab a drink and a bite to eat, and pick up some good eats for home too!

A cafe, licensed restaurant with seasonal patio, and expanding market with cuts of local meats available for purchase, 86 Bistro has lots to offer. Daily specials, local treats, and hot and cold beverages, there is something for everyone.

With their great community presence, owners Stephan and Tera Bouliane of Clean and Creative Lifestyle Co. have been breathing new life into downtown Deep River. Last year they spearheaded a hockey tournament that hosted over 200 hockey players from around the Ottawa Valley and drew media attention in its success. The tournament will be back at the newly formed outdoor rink for the second season. Stay tuned for that!

When it's locals supporting locals, it's always a win.

If you're in the Ottawa Valley, you know there's so much this beautiful area has to offer. From recreation, to community events and local markets with fresh produce and handmade goods, the Ottawa Valley is home to quite the variety of talented folk!

One way you can be sure to get the best of what's available 'round here is to shop with the Ottawa Valley Food Coop. Freshly baked goods, locally grown vegetables, free-range meat, and handcrafted products make for an amazing 50 mile diet or shopping experience and the best part is that it's available year-round with delivery right nearby!

The Ottawa Valley Food Coop is a non-profit organization that provides an internet-based ordering system to facilitate the buying and selling of local food and products. The Coop supports local food, seasonal eating, farmers’ markets, farm gate sales, food literacy and food events. It recognizes the value of relationships that connect consumers and producers in building resilient, local food systems.  Activities of OVFC are guided by core values of healthy communities, environmental stewardship, social justice and vibrant local economies.

For a small one-time-only sign up fee of $50 (seriously, so worth it), you can become a lifetime member of the Coop and shop any of the products available. Every month, the Ottawa Valley Food Co-op is open for ordering for eight days at the beginning of the month, with delivery typically on the third Tuesday of the month. Shop from the convenience of your living room, and there's bound to be a pick-up location near you!

We joined the Ottawa Valley Food Coop both as producers and as members! You can now find our kombucha in the list of products available. Join us in supporting the wonderful local farmers and talented makers in the area!

Visit https://ovfc.ca and learn more about the benefits!

​Have you heard the news?

Maven Catering is opening Maven Café at the Deep River Yacht & Tennis Club Patio!! 

Starting tomorrow, June 17th, you can stop in for a bite to eat while taking in the gorgeous views of the Ottawa River. 

Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9am until 1:30pm, Maven will be serving up locally roasted Engine House Coffee, Tea, Kombucha, fresh baked scones, and a delicious LUNCH MENU (mmmm salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts!!). 

PLUS on Fridays from 4pm until 8pm (weather permitting) Maven Catering will have HAPPY HOUR including an expanded appetizer menu with tacos, charcuterie, chips and salsa, beef sliders, wedges, and more! 

With an extended patio area, there will be plenty of room to eat at a table, or grab a blanket and sit on the lawn and enjoy the beautiful scenery. 

Such a wonderful addition to the Town of Deep River, Ontario!

Knock Knock! Kombucha delivery!
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We're offering doorstep deliveries on Tuesdays!!

We'll knock on your door, drop the booch, and back away slowly ;) 

Order minimum 6-pack ($35 tax and delivery included) for Deep River/Chalk River and 
minimum case of 12 ($65 tax and delivery included) for Petawawa/Pembroke. 

Mix 'n Match assorted flavours:
Beau-Tea-Ful Morning
Cranberry Chill
Hibiscus Ginger
Mango Lassi
Meta-Boost
Strawberry Mint
The Apple of My Chai
Wild Blueberry

Ordering is easy!
Simply send an etransfer to [email protected] and note your address, phone number, and any flavour requests in the etransfer message.

Order by 3pm Monday to receive your order the next day!

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay hydrated. And keep your gut health in check.
Thank you for supporting small businesses!

Just in time for the long weekend, our limited edition seasonal flavour Strawberry Rhubarb is here!

We infused our raw kombucha with organic Ontario strawberries and fresh, locally harvested rhubarb to create this refreshing flavour. It doesn't get much better than enjoying the fruit of our own backyard! Best served chilled over ice and enjoyed on a hot Summer day, this brew is sweetly satisfying and full of healthy benefits.

Fill up on tap at Blendz Smoothie Shop and The Olive Tree in Deep River. PLUS for a limited time, you can purchase a 1L booch refill AND a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie made fresh from B & R Bakery for only $20!!

Cheers to local goodness!

​Wishing you a happy Canada Day long weekend!

You may notice a new bottle alongside the Great Eight! 

That's because we've officially launched our Nude Jun!! Landing on the shelves today, our Jun is now available in 500 ml bottles, making it one of the only commercial, fully-labeled and lab-tested Juns in Canada!

But just what is JUN? (pronounced like gin but replace the "i" with an "uh" sound)
Jun is a fermented tea similar to kombucha only it uses a raw honey as its nutrient rather than cane sugar. Kombucha culture cannot use raw honey as the antibacterial properties of the honey compete with the bacteria in the kombucha, destroying the culture. Jun culture has been adapted over time to use the raw honey without issue, making it even more valuable with the known benefits of raw honey. 

We've kept our first flavour of Jun as simple as can be, using only organic sencha green tea, unpasteurized kosher Canadian honey, and naturally-occurring live cultures of bacteria and yeast. In essence it is "nude", unflavoured, with no frills, leaving the subtle taste of honey and green tea shine through a natural fermentation process. Honey lovers, this one's for you!

Aside from the numerous health benefits of both honey and fermentation, our Jun is also low in overall sugar with only 6 grams of sugar per 250 ml serving. Raw honey is only used at the beginning of the process in order for the fermentation to occur. No sugar or honey is added afterwards, giving you and your belly another reason to sip, smile, and enjoy. 

Since the Spring our Jun has only been available on tap at events and in one refill location.

We're happy to announce that our Nude Jun is now available in five stores including:
Jan's Valu-Mart
The Olive Tree in Deep River
Hyska's Your Independent Grocer
Little Things Canning Company
Pura Vida Nutrition Store

As we increase production, you will see Nude Jun popping up at more retail locations. Let us know where you'd like to see it!

We are pleased to be among the first to bring this rare, delicious beverage to the area and look forward to having you try our Nude Jun.

NEW Seasonal Flavour!

We've made a batch of Mulled Cranberry Citrus for the holidays!

We began this festive booch by mulling pure cranberry juice with sliced orange, mandarine, fresh Ontario cranberries, cinnamon bark, clove, and dried orange peel. Once cooled, we added more cranberry juice AND freshly juiced clementine and orange. The perfect Christmas blend. 

Jazz it up by pouring over ice, cranberries and an orange slice. Also makes a great sangria addition or a delicious cocktail mix. 

Find it on tap at Blendz Smoothie Shop & Healthy Eatery in Pembroke and The Olive Tree in Deep River. 
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Hurry in! Limited supply!

Taste of the Valley seasonal events are in full swing!

We had a great time attending the last Deep River Farmers' Market of the year. The final bi-weekly market joined forces with the County of Renfrew's Taste of the Valley to bring locally produced goods to the Deep River area. 

There was no shortage of freshly harvested produce, homemade treats, and handmade products at this years event which took place yesterday in the Deep River Town Hall parking lot. 

As always, we enjoyed catching up with old pals, market vendors and meeting new visitors. Our bellies and fridges are full of freshly baked loaves, desserts, wood-fired pizza, local meats, BBQ'd snacks (did you try the pulled chicken made with our kombucha bbq sauce!?), yummy jams, and a new batch of sauerkraut is already fermenting from chopped fresh cabbage. 

The Deep River market is one of our favourite events to attend as it is wonderfully heart-warming to see the support pour in for our local businesses. Thank you to all who came out this year and to the volunteers who never cease to amaze us with their selfless dedication. 

It was a sunny Sunday so we decided to set up shop outside for the Local Makers Market at Bodhi Wellness Centre. 

Our promo of the day was a choice of 8 flavours to mix and match for a 6-pack on special. :)
Plus we got to show-off our new branded bucket we received as a generous and thoughtful gift. 

We were in good company with our friends at Forest Cove Farm, Valley Girl Naturals, Healing Forest Botanicals, In the Spirit Natural Products, Sage and Stone Wellness, Mix and Mash Art, The Scented Bohemian, Anupaya Quality Goods, Sister Moon Gems and Herbs, and Sigrid Naturals. 

Amazing people. Great products. All local. 

Man, this area sure has everything you could possibly need!

We scored some sweet gifts for our family and joked that the reason we do these markets is to make enough money to spend on the awesome products made by our friends. 

Live local. Shop local. Support local. 

Luck was on our side as the weather took a turn for the best and skies cleared up just in time for the first Deep River Farmers' Market of the season.

We were reacquainted with our market friends from last year and welcomed new neighbours including Dana's Delectables, Ashleigh Ann's Bagels, and Forest Cove Farm. Market goers filled their baskets with fresh produce, homemade goods, and handmade products. 

We had fresh raspberry kombucha and jun on tap, kombucha soap and stainless steel reusable straws were available for purchase. Back by popular demand were kombucha freezies AKA booch pops and this year we really amped up the fruit. Filled with half raspberry kombucha and half organic raspberries (seriously soooooo many raspberries!), these booch pops packed a serious healthy, fruity punch. 

A big thanks once again to all volunteers who make this market possible, and to all attendees who make it thrive. 

Note: Our booth won't be at every market this season, but are looking forward to attending the next market in Deep River as customers rather than vendors. 

Welcome back Maple Rose Kombucha!

We're pleased to tell you that after a long wait, our Spring seasonal kombucha has returned. New and (nutritionally) improved, this batch of Maple Rose was made using local maple sap instead of water, local maple syrup (we boiled ourselves) instead of cane sugar (typically used in the fermentation process), and organic rose petals.

The taste is subtle, not very sweet, more like a fermented sap than a sugary maple syrup addition. Be prepared for a different tasting Maple Rose from last year's sweeter variety.

Using local maple sap and syrup provides additional benefits to the kombucha given that maple syrup contains nutrients and minerals like zinc and manganese, antioxidants and phytochemicals. We suspect there is also beneficial bacteria present in the sap as this brew took almost a month to ferment, perhaps the sap bacteria was in competition with the kombucha bacteria. Lots of good stuff for your digestion!

We hope you enjoy a different take on our Maple Rose. Let us know what you think when you fill your 1L glass bottles at The Olive Tree!

Cheers!

Jan's Valu-Mart now stocks local kombucha! 

We're excited to be featured in the healthy produce and salad bar section in Deep River's grocery store. Thanks to store owner, Jan Sunstrum, you'll see Mango Lassi and Cranberry Chill kombucha right alongside some of our favourites like Cedar Juices, and Renée's Dressings. 

We're always amazed at how much of a variety you can find here in town and appreciate the large assortment of fresh produce. Valu-Mart has seen a few changes over the past year and we're always on the lookout for what's new in store. 

Valu-Mart has been the centre of Deep River for quite some time. You could go so far as to say it has been an integral part of our social life. The locals will tell you they can't plan on just popping in for a quick shop because they'll run into about twenty people they know. Catching up with an old friend, checking up on local happenings, making after-work plans... all happening right in store. 

In addition to our many large grocery purchases (when you've got 6 in the family, it's either you're making one huuuuuuge shop a week, or you're there just about everyday!) we've enjoyed many a lunch from Valu-Mart, grab-and-go hot meals, and sometimes the deli section will surprise us with yet another new and exciting cheese.

We've got to know the friendly staff (you know it's a great place to work when you're seeing some of the same faces for over twenty years!) and one of us even WAS an employee for three years (oh the high school Valu-Mart days! only just a few years ago, right!? ;) 

With all the departments of a large city grocery store, and very accommodating staff and services, you'll know why some out-of-towners come to shop in Deep River. We're stoked to have our kombucha on the shelves just for that reason. Come Summer time, Deep River becomes a popular spot for city folk to grab a bite to eat (an artisan kombucha too perhaps!?), and flock to the sandy shores of the Ottawa River. Summer is a-coming!

A big thanks again to Jan and three cheers to our friends at Valu-Mart!

Hey Honey! Check out our latest beverage, Jun.

What is Jun, you ask? Jun is a fermented tea very similar to kombucha but instead it uses honey as the nutrient rather than cane sugar. A traditional kombucha SCOBY (A.K.A. the culture) cannot use honey for a nutrient source as the naturally-occurring antibacterial properties of the honey will damage the beneficial bacteria of the kombucha culture. Jun SCOBYs have adapted over time to be able to use real honey as its food source, creating a sweet, distinct honey flavoured drink with the same probiotic and beneficial acids as kombucha. 

In addition to the health advantages of kombucha, consuming jun will expose you to the numerous benefits of honey. Raw honey contains amino acids, enzymes and polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that reduce free-radical damage and may help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Consuming honey native to your area will also boost your immune system, can alleviate symptoms of a cough and sore throat, and may help decrease seasonal allergies. 

We use a premium raw Canadian honey that is 100% pure, natural, Kosher, and unpasteurized, providing you with the full benefits of a true honey. Our Nude Jun is unflavoured, keeping the brew traditional and simple to let the subtle sweetness of the honey shine through. 

Try our Nude Jun on tap at the Olive Tree in Deep River with our environmentally-friendly 1L refill program. 

We're offering homebrewing kombucha starter kits for purchase!

Our kits come with everything you need to get brewing your own kombucha. 
All ingredients are 100% organic. Cost is $30 including tax. 

Complete Kombucha Starter Kit Includes:
-SCOBY and starter liquid
-2x 1L glass mason jar
-1x organic green tea bag (for your first batch)
-organic fair-trade cane sugar (measured perfectly for your first batch)
-2x breathable filters to cover your brew
-10 page colour instructional workbook
-cheat sheet brewing reference card

Message or email us to pick up your kit today.
​Happy Brewing!

Sharing our knowledge about gut health has become our growing passion. Last evening we presented our first seminar all about the micro biome, the many influences and processes involved, and how to implement a healthy diet for optimal digestion and well-being. 

We're so thankful to have the support of friends, family and members of the community who participated. 

Watch for our next gut health seminar coming up this Spring in Pembroke at LEAP Health Hub.

Much luck to the latest kombucha homebrewers in the Valley. We enjoyed teaching you the tricks of the trade and wish you happy brewing!

If you're curious about making your own kombucha, here's what is included when you attend our workshop:
Complete Kombucha Starter Kit
-SCOBY and starter liquid
-2x 1L glass mason jar
-1x organic green tea bag
-organic fair-trade cane sugar (first batch)
-2x breathable filters to cover your brew
-10 page colour instructional workbook
-cheat sheet brewing reference card
-75 minute brewing seminar and demonstration
-15+ minute Q&A period
-venue rental
-ongoing online support
-Laurentian Brew Kombucha sampling
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Our next workshop will be coming up in the Fall. Stay tuned! 

We've teamed up with Engine House Coffee to bring you the perfect combination of cold brewed coffee and raw kombucha. 

Using their Still Standing medium roasted coffee beans, this cold brew infusion is bound to wake you up and keep you chugging along. Coffee lovers will delight in the full flavour and dark chocolate notes of Still Standing and kombucha fans will enjoy the sweet tang of the raw kombucha.

Engine House Coffee roast their fair trade organic coffee beans in Eganville, Ontario and offer a wide selection of coffee varieties roasted fresh in small fresh batches. You may have seen owners, Dan and Genevieve at the Carp Farmers Market or sipped on a delicious cup of Engine House jo somewhere throughout the Valley. Their freshly roasted beans are available for purchase online or in a number of stores in and around the area. 

For a full list of stores carrying Engine House Coffee, visit www.enginehousecoffee.com. 

Our Engine House Coffee Kombucha is available on tap at The Olive Tree in Deep River and LEAP Health Hub in Pembroke. 

Please note that due to the caffeine of the coffee, this flavour will be much more caffeinated than any other flavour. 

Cheers!

There's a new business in town. Actually two! Bodhi Wellness Centre and Blendz Smoothie Shop have opened their doors and we couldn't be more excited. Located in the same plaza as our brewery, we've taken our friendships to a whole new level and become neighbours as well. Owner of Bodhi Holistic Physiotherapy and Bodhi Yoga, Kara Foley has collaborated with friend and fellow entrepreneur, Dale Luckey to create a one-of-a-kind Wellness Centre and plant-based restaurant combination. 

Celebrating the completion of an 8 week renovation, the yoga studio and smoothie bar welcomed customers into their gorgeous new home at 33373 Hwy 17 West following the Thanksgiving long weekend. A Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, October 14 from 2-6pm with food, music, prizes and promotions. 

We couldn't wait to check out the business, and popped in first thing this morning for a tour and a smoothie (Matcha Chai was delicious!). Blendz will undoubtedly become our go-to place for healthy drinks, snacks, and lunches including smoothies, energy balls, soups, and salads, which are all plant-based with no animal byproducts. The smoothie shop will also offer grab-and-go frozen meals and select gourmet teas and (dairy-free) cheeses. But wait, there's more! Blendz has our kombucha on tap! With an awesome custom-painted fridge, Dale now offers cups of Laurentian Brew Kombucha. 

Dale Luckey, originally from North Bay, is the owner and operator of Blendz Smoothie Shop. With culinary school under her belt and years of restaurant service, Dale is bringing her culinary flare and friendly personality to Deep River. With immense talent and creativity, Dale also does woodwork and creative pieces for her side project, Mix and Mash Art. You will see her work at the shop with shelving, a beautiful bar area and artwork. 

Kara Foley, a Deep River original who moved back to the area in recent years, is the brains and beauty behind Bodhi Wellness Centre. A health guru, Kara has always been an active individual with a thirst for expanding her knowledge in all things body, mind and spirit. A graduate of the Kinesiology Program at McMaster University, and Physical Therapy Masters Program at the University of Toronto, Kara is well-versed in the realm of human anatomy and biology. Kara offers numerous treatment options including Traditional Physiotherapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Neural Manipulation, Medical Acupuncture, and Yoga for Scoliosis. Taking a more holistic route for treatment, Kara recently completed the Teacher Training Program at White Pine Yoga and began offering yoga classes earlier this year.

With the support and dedication of her husband and best friend, Martin Jacobson, Kara will see the success of her education flourish. Martin offers positive energy and has been behind the scenes creating a beautiful website and social media posts for the business. A dynamic duo, the two will make Deep River a healthier place for years to come.  For a full list of services, yoga class schedule, or to book an appointment, visit the studio or go online at www.physiobodhi.com. 

A huge congratulations to our friends at Bodhi Wellness Centre and Blendz Smoothie Shop! 

Pumpkin Spice and everything nice. Well, we weren't going to jump on the bandwagon, but we had a lot of pumpkin spice kickin' around... so Pumpkin Spice lovers; this one's for you!

Introducing our latest Fall Seasonal Flavour...

Pumpkin Spiced Apple

On tap at The Olive Tree in Deep River and LEAP Health Hub in Pembroke for the month of October. 

That's all folks! The Deep River Farmer's Market wrapped up it's last market of the season with the extended version for the Taste of the Valley. Smiles were as plentiful as baskets and bags of goods, and local farmers and artisans enjoyed a sunny Saturday in September serving customers from all over the Ottawa Valley. 

The market was a bustlin' by 10 a.m. featuring the finest in local produce, homemade goods, handcrafted pieces, art, and tasty treats. We had kombucha on tap and free samples for both the uninitiated and loyal customers. 

We wish to thank everyone who came around to our booth this year and a HUGE thank you to the Deep River Farmer's Market volunteers who dedicated so much of their time to make the season a success. 

New flavour alert! We're launching our latest kombucha LEMONLESS LEMON!

Subtle in its herbal taste, the name says it all. Made with organic lemongrass, lemon verbena, and lemon balm, this new flavour enhances the natural citrus-like taste of raw kombucha without any actual citrus. 

Available on tap at LEAP Health Hub in Pembroke and The Olive Tree in Deep River while quantities last. 

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