Thrive Kombucha, Lexington’sfirst + only kombucha brewer, recently went through a rebrand, and is now known as Thrive Brew.
We caught up with founder Elijah Webster to learn more about the bubbly beverage, and how Thrive went from a kitchen counter to shipping nationwide in just three years.
Elijah in the Thrive Brew brewing headquarters at 810 N. Limestone. | Photo by the LEXtoday
For those that might not be as familiar, what is kombucha?
Kombucha is often seen as a better for you soda, or alcohol alternative. You either start with a green, black, or white tea, then you add sugar, water, and a culture of bacteria + yeast that transform the sugars into healthy acids giving you that tangy, bubbly, kombucha taste. After that, it’s like painting a canvas where you add in different flavors.
Thrive Brew sets up at the downtown Farmers’ Market every Saturday. | Photo by Thrive Brew
Take us back to the beginning, how did Thrive Brew get started?
Like many things in life, I never woke up + thought I’d grow up to be a kombucha brewer. In one way, it came out of left field, but it also kind of developed very organically.
When I first tried kombucha I actually hated it. My wife Annie loved it, and was always trying to get me to like it. But like coffee, wine, beer, all those things, you don’t necessarily love them the first time.
I eventually fell in love with the beverage + we were drinking so much of it that we realized we had to figure out some way to get a better supply without, you know, breaking the bank.
So, we bought a little homebrew kit, and started brewing one-gallon glass jars on our counter, just for us. We’d always share it with dinner guests or take it to parties + it just kind of naturally grew from there. A few people wanted some on a weekly basis so we bought more jars and upped the process.
Fun fact: Thrive Brew now produces 200-300 gallon batches each week.
Click the button below to learn what’s behind the name “Thrive” + how the team uses a family garden to create new flavors.
Thursday Night Live | Thurs., July 28 | 5-8 p.m. | Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Tandy Park | Free, price of purchase | Post-work happy hour in the heart of downtown featuring live music from Encore of Lexington 🎶
Friday
Salsa Dancing | Fri., July 29 | times | Old North Bar, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Ste. 116 | Free | Dance the night away with free salsa + Bahata lessons from The Salsa Center
Bridging the Gap Hip Hop Workshop | Fri., July 29 | 12-3 p.m. | Lexington Public Library, Northside Branch, 1733 Russell Cave Rd. | Free | Bring your middle school students to learn how to create their own hip-hop songs + beats with local musicians Devine Carama and JK-47. 🎤
Saturday
Crave Food + Music Festival | Sat., July 30-Sun., July 31 | 12 p.m. | Masterson Station Park, 3051 Leestown Rd. | Prices vary | Sample food + drinks from 40+ local vendors complete with live music and culinary performances 🍽️
Sunday
Art Pop Up | Sun., July 31 | 12-5 p.m. | Kenwick Table, 201 Owsley Ave. | Free, price of purchase | Sip on your favorite coffee or cocktail while you peruse the creations of several art vendors.
Sangria Sunday | Sun., July 31 | 3-6 p.m. | Harkness-Edwards Vineyards, 5199 Combs Ferry Rd., Winchester | $14 | Enjoy an afternoon on the vineyard with bottomless sangria + live music from singer Hannah Mae. 🍷
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Hampton Farms has been in biz for 75+ years, so you know they’ve got the snacking thing down. | Photo provided by Hampton Farms
We’re four days into LEXtoday’s first Drink Up Week — and we’re loving every second. Here’s something else to add to your plate: Hampton Farms gourmet peanuts — because the only thing better than a drink is a drink + a snack.
If the Butabi Brothers ring a bell, then you don’t want to miss this. Former Saturday Night Live star and comedian Chris Kattan will be performing at Rock House Brewing on Fri., Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Outdoors
Explore the Kentucky River under the stars at Shaker Village’s Glow Paddle on Sat., Aug. 13 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Canoes will be available for rent thanks to Canoe Kentucky + a ticket gets you 20% off same-day dining at The Trustee’s Table. Sounds like the perfect date to us. 🛶
Biz
For the 10th consecutive year, Lexmark has been named the 2022 Managed Print Services Leader by Quocirca over names like Canon, HP, and Xerox. The global print and market insight research firm cited, among other highlights, Lexmark’s dedication to sustainability, customer security assessments + use of IoT technology. Congratulations, y’all. 🏆 (Yahoo Finance)
Drink Up
Manchester Coffee Co. is serving up drinks for any type of sipper. Grab The Godfather for a perfect summer mocktail at its 576 E. Third St. location. If you’re looking for a sweet surprise, try the Affogato — a Cubano double shot of espresso over vanilla ice cream available only at its flagship shop, 903 Manchester St. 🍦
Celebrate Leo Season with Lussi Brown’s #DrinkUpWeek special — Leo Season. The spicy mocha is truly customizable — get it hot or iced, with your choice of milk — and is crafted with caramel, chocolate, cinnamon, a little cayenne + espresso. Make it boozy with a shot of coconut rum after 12 p.m. ☕
Community
The Lexington Herald-Leader wants you to vote on the best small brewery in the area. The first round, the Sweet Sixteen, is available for voting now + will remain open through 12 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 3. The overall winner will be announced Wed., Aug. 24. Cast your votes. 🍺 (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Number
$35,000. That’s how much the Lexington Humane Society will receive via a grant from Petco Love. LHS is the largest nonprofit pet adoption agency in Central Kentucky + relies solely on donations and grants. Speaking of adoption, meet this treat-loving pitbull mix Simba who is looking for his forever home. 🐶 (LEX18)
Edu
Will Anderson + Anna Ladd McElhannon, students at UK, have been selected for an internship at the NASA headquarters during the 2022-2023 academic year. The Henry Clay Internship gives highly accomplished students the opportunity to work with the NASA Office of the Chief Scientist in Washington DC. 🚀 (UK NOW)
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Now here’s a thirsty Thursday special that has our attention. Old North Bar, located inside Greyline Station, is letting you be the mixologist with its Drink Up Week special Make-Your-Rita. Here’s how it works —
Choose your go-to tequila
Pick a fresh fruit flavor
Decide your favorite rim (we’ll take chili, please)
And voila, your very own customized drink.
Pro tip: Mention #DrinkUpWeek or #DrinkUpLex tonight or Friday between 4-7 p.m. for $3 off your creative concoction. City Editor Molly + Marin, our sales teammate, will be there Thursday.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Editor’s pick: I was thrilled to meet with Elijah to catch up on the latest happenings at Thrive Brew. I’ve been a big fan + customer since they originally opened their shop on North Limestone (before there was a Greyline Station). Be sure to stop by + say hi to the Thrive crew at the downtown farmers’ market on Saturday mornings. If they have it, try Ocean Blue flavor, it’s my favorite.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Sip on the story of Leestown Coffee House’s award-winning cold brew.
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