Check out Kombucha!
Down at the Yeti Cave we tend to stick to one thing… beer!!! But recently we have seen a fair few fans diggin’ kombucha, so we thought that it was worth checking out!So what is kombucha? To put it simply, kombucha is fermented tea, brewed with a natural fermentation culture. From ancient Chinese origins, kombucha was traditionally made as a health elixir with a natural tart flavour, and with fruits and spices added during secondary fermentation.We came across some brewers who are solely dedicated to brewing this fermented drink. Left Field Kombucha takes a different approach to other kombucha brewers as it uses only the finest teas to produce a brew without fruits and spices to make natural flavour profile and a drink which sits happily at the bar and on your dinner table. It’s low in sugar and calories. Left Field Kombucha was established in 2016 by Geraint Roberts, a former beer brewer, and his wife, Jo. Geraint first cut his yeasty teeth when he trained as a brewer years ago at Sharps Brewery in Cornwall of Doom Bar fame, under renowned beer expert Stuart Howe. When he and Jo set Left Field Kombucha up they wanted to create a low abv/non-alcoholic alternative to beer that was just as interesting and they began making kombucha tea.Left Field Kombucha is the first commercial kombucha brewery in Scotland and the first in the UK to be on tap alongside craft beers as the “fermented drinks experience without the hangover”. In 2017 it was a finalist in the Scotland Food & Drinks Excellence Awards and also received its first Great Taste Award for its first variety, the No.1 Yunnan Black kombucha tea. Left Field Kombucha is available in bottle and keg.Left Field Kindly sent us three of their brews to give a try, so check out what we thought…
No.1 Yunnan Black
Appearance: Hazy amber, slightly carbonated with a bit of lacing on the surface.Aroma: A fresh, burst of green apple, with a slight earthy underlay.Flavour: The black tea really comes through and is complimented by a melee of apple, red berries and a touch of raspberry.Refreshing, smooth and very easy to drink.
No. 3 Tung Ting Oolong
Appearance: Light straw, with a very slight, sparse head.Aroma: Quite floral, with a dash of sour lemon.Flavour: Slightly tart, with a contrasting combination of sweet apple, honey and zesty lemon/ lime, finished off by a dry finish.Well balanced and a cracking sweet n’ sour mix!
No.4 Darjeeling Second Flush
Appearance: Hazy golden, with a space, head that reduces quickly.Aroma: Apple, straw, an almost farmhouse cider feel with a hint of honey.Flavour: Sweet green apple, with a very dry finish.
Crisp and refreshing, yet a slightly thick mouthfeel.Well, we think that these batches a cracking are quite comparable to a lambic style beer.
They are definitely worth a go and are a cracking non-alternative to beer, so give them a try and see what you think!
Available to buy here.
For more info, check out their Website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
