San Diego is boochin’ with locally brewed, boozy kombucha! The world of ‘hard’ kombucha may just be getting started, but this community of better-for-you brews is thriving in San Diego. Hard kombucha is a fermented alcoholic beverage made with tea, probiotics, yeast and, of course, love, to mitigate hangovers and keep the good vibes going. Here are seven local spots to get your boochy buzz on.
1. Jaybird Hard Kombucha
Where: 10320 Camino Santa Fe C, San Diego, CA 92121
Region: North Inland
Make sure to land at The Nest, Jaybird Kombucha’s bright and airy tasting room, to enjoy one (or more) of the 12 100% organic and plant-based kombucha flavors on tap. While sipping on an uber-popular Jalapeño Strawberry Lime pour, order up an Italian Tostadas brick oven pizza, available on Trivia Tuesday, Friday and Saturday! They even offer free Wi-Fi if you would like to WFJ (work from Jaybird). Slurp and chirp, San Diego!
2. Boochcraft
Where: 12841 El Camino Real Suite 302, San Diego, CA 92130
Region: North Coastal
Experience a B-Corp booch with a view at the Del Mar Highlands Brewers Deck, Boochcraft’s current taproom location! Not only can you sip on year-round favorite flavors, including Grapefruit Hibiscus and Strawberry Lemonade, but also taste seasonal flavors (which are dependent on when the fruit is ripe) as well as exclusive innovation taps devoted to new brews! Head inside to Sky Deck, where you can choose from nine culinary crafts to pair with your booch. But the buzz doesn’t stop there, because this summer they will be opening a second taproom in Normal Heights!
3. Juneshine
Where: 10051 Old Grove Rd, San Diego, CA 92131
Region: North Inland
Bask in the shine of honest alcohol for a healthier planet at Juneshine Ranch, where the hard booch is flowing for families, friends, events and even pups. (Well, not for pups, but they can come too!) Try famous flavors including the Blood Orange Mint, which was brought to life in a garage in 2018 and still uses the same recipe as it did then. Bite on options that are suitable for every diet with Enclave Café’s superfood menu, and if you can’t decide what Juneshine flavor you want – order a flight and taste the rainbow!
4. Babe Kombucha
Where: 5401 Linda Vista Rd Suite #409, San Diego, CA 92110
Region: Mission Valley & Old Town
Hop aboard the bandwagon, because Babe Hard Kombucha is organic, gluten-free, vegan and available in three fruit-forward varieties. It’s also 7% ABV, but Babe offers ‘soft’ (alcohol-free) kombucha, too, and is now serving kombucha with organic yerba mate for an extra energy kick! Try such vibrant flavors as the boozy Watermelon Mojito at the Morena tasting room, where you can hang with babes while drinking a Babe.
5. Nova Easy Kombucha
Where: 4845 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107
Region: Mission Bay & Beaches
Mixing health and fun, Nova Kombucha combines the good things in life, making for a tasty, easy-to-drink, vegan, and gluten-free beverage. Feel those vibrant vibes at the taproom on Newport Ave. in Ocean Beach, where you can experience the freshest ingredients within a burst of fermented tropical flavor! Savor such flavor varieties as Sexy Piña Colada and Mango Chili, and stay tuned for various food vendors and events, including hoppy Nova yoga!
6. Local Roots Kombucha
Where: 1430 Vantage Ct Suite 101, Vista, CA 92081
Region: North Inland
Quench your thirst with a different flavor for each vibe at Local Roots! Get in on the local love at the Boochyard, the indoor-outdoor taproom with 40 rotating tap flavors, including the Cali Mule and Strawberry Mojito. This better-for-you booch company began with the founders’ focus on clean eating, which comes through in their sustainably focused food options within the full kitchen, as well as plant-based beverages. If you want to focus on even more gut health, try the low-cal flavors at only 95 calories!
7. Bootstrap Kombucha
Where: 4085 Pacific Hwy #105b, San Diego, CA 92110
Region: Mission Valley & Old Town
Bootstrap was built on the love of kombucha and community. And after beginning with ‘soft’ kombucha in San Diego in 2016, they perfected hard kombucha during the pandemic, launching ReBoot Hard Kombucha. All the hard choices come at 6% ABV, including the popular Orange is the New Black Pepper, which can be tapped fresh at the PCH taproom into a pint. Or purchase and use a refillable growler, which can be brought back later! The taproom doubles as their brewery, where you can taste for free — then choose from the 30 brews on tap.