HOPBUCHA: Theakston Brewery and Equinox Kombucha Announce a Brewing First

Iconic beer producer Theakston Brewery and fermentation pioneer, Equinox Kombucha, have joined forces to disrupt the adult drinks market.

Hopbucha is an alcohol-free brew that brings together the rich tradition of British beer-making with the naturally fermented power of kombucha. And the innovation has already won over the judges at The Guild of Fine Food, who awarded Hopbucha a coveted Great Taste Award this week.

Fizzy and flavourful, the functional drink is fermented using Equinox’s unique SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) to offer the gut-friendly live cultures and satisfying mouth-feel of authentic kombucha, combined with the refreshment and drinkability you’d expect from a Theakston ale.

With growing demand for no-alcohol drinks that appeal to adult palates, the two Yorkshire-based companies saw an opportunity to combine their expertise.

Hopbucha takes Equinox’s classic fermented tea and flavours it using the hop blending expertise of Theakston, to add a twist of citrus bitterness and refreshment that will please even the most devoted beer drinker.

Equinox Managing Director, Andy Braithwaite says: “As the UK’s largest craft brewers of kombucha and one of the category leaders, we have enormous respect for Theakston’s skill and tradition. Yorkshire has a fantastic brewing culture, making world-famous beers like Theakston’s Old Peculier. While we’re one of the longest standing Kombucha brewers in the UK, we’re the new kids on the block compared to Theakston’s nearly 200 years, but there are so many similarities between our techniques and ethos.

“What started as a fun experiment to see how we could collaborate and combine our skills to play with a palate of exciting flavours, has transformed into something special that offers the best of both brewing worlds.”

Richard Bradbury, Managing Director of Theakston Brewery, said: “We are thrilled to work with Yorkshire kombucha pioneers Equinox Kombucha. This product is a genuine result of our shared passion for fermented flavourful drinks. With no and low alcohol drinks growing and the market maturing into one where there are products aimed squarely at adults, we felt that Hopbucha offered something different.

“For nearly 200 years, Theakston has combined innovation with heritage and flavour. This shared project with Equinox embodies that spirit, highlighting that while we remain true to our history, we’re also passionate about keeping the art of brewing alive in all its forms.

“We’ve seen success in recent years with our Nowt Peculier 0.0% beer and while that might not make your lunchtime meal deal, we believe that Hopbucha can become that option offering the refreshing flavour of hops with the benefits of kombucha.”

Hopbucha will initially be available online via Amazon, theakstons.co.uk and equinoxkombucha.com before spreading out nationally to supermarkets, convenience stores, farm shops and the hospitality sector.

Notes to editors

Equinox kombucha

Equinox kombucha has been making authentic craft kombucha at its brewery near Halifax for almost 15 years. The company is a BCorp and has won numerous Great Taste Awards for its organic drinks.

The journey began when Equinox’s backpacking founders discovered fermented tea on their travels and brought home a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts) so they could make their own refreshing, gut-friendly drinks.

T&R Theakston

Theakston Brewery of Masham is one of the UK’s oldest and most highly regarded independent brewers. Founded in 1827, Theakston has been Brewing Legends Since 1827, brewing a range of much-loved traditional and contemporary beers. A proud sixth-generation family brewer, Theakston remains one of the largest independent breweries under family control in the UK.

At the heart of its brewing heritage is the iconic Theakston Old Peculier, internationally acclaimed as one of the great British ales. The Theakston portfolio includes a combination of cask and keg beers, with ten permanently available alongside a selection of well-established seasonal ales.

For more information:

Emily Mukherjee or Ben Ormsby, Aberfield Communications: theakstons@aberfield.com / 0113 880 0444

Third-party news items are published as received for informational purposes. Publication does not imply endorsement by the Guild. Please use the contact details within the post for any enquiries.