Hard water kefir taproom joins San Antonio bar scene
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Fermentería's drink lineup. Photo: Courtesy of Giant Noise Partners
Hard water kefir is joining the mix of bar offerings in San Antonio. If you haven't heard of it, it's because it's a newcomer in the industry.
Catch up quick: Jade Sheppard recently opened Fermentería at 2243 E. Commerce St., offering an array of alcoholic and nonalcoholic water kefir on tap or by the bottle.
How it works: Kefir, like kombucha, is a fermented probiotic drink. Alcohol is naturally produced in the fermentation process.
- While most producers halt fermentation at a lower alcohol concentration, Sheppard's process continues until it reaches 5% alcohol.
- It naturally has hundreds of strains of probiotics, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. No sugars or alcohol are added.
- Sheppard says it offers a buzz without the hangover.
The drinks are flavored with botanicals and natural extracts.
- Flavors include pineapple lemongrass, brut, hibiscus sangria, paloma, Thai lime coconut (Sheppard's go-to) and orange elderflower.
By the numbers: A 12-ounce can has 100 calories and zero sugar.
Flashback: Sheppard says she's allergic to alcohol, but first discovered that she was able to drink alcoholic kefir during her time in Nicaragua.
What they're saying: "I would definitely encourage anyone who is interested in a light, bubbly, social, euphoric type of alcoholic experience but doesn't want sugar to try it."
The vibe: Sheppard describes the new taproom as "scrappy," pieced together with secondhand items her team has hauled from throughout Central Texas.
- "It's supposed to give a sense of authenticity, homemade and home-brewed," she says.
- "We're all Burning Man people and DJ people, so we have a DJ booth built into our tap room. It's just a bunch of hippies who are also nerds and love what we're doing."
- Customers will be able to bring growlers for refills.
What's next: Fermentería will host community events each month, with the first happening April 13.
- Proceeds from the night will benefit The Thrive Center, a shelter for LGBTQ+ youth.