![]() ![]() One of only 4 states with this type of definition on the books, it was intended to allow beer and wine to be sold on Sundays. (3) all wines containing not in excess of twenty-one percent of alcohol by volume. (2) all beers, ales, porters, and other similar malt or fermented beverages containing more than five percent but less than fourteen percent of alcohol by weight that are manufactured, distributed, or sold in containers of six and one-half ounces or more or the metric equivalent and (1) all beers, ales, porters, and other similar malt or fermented beverages containing not in excess of five percent of alcohol by weight The confusion stems from a statute that defines “nonalcoholic or non-intoxicating” beverages in their Tax Code as follows: Read the updated guidance on the SC DOR website. Ultimately, after 3 weeks of intense conversations and sharing of resources, the SC DOR issued an updated guidance indicating that kombucha would NOT BE REGULATED LIKE ALCOHOL! A huge win for the industry and another example of KBI’s advocacy in action. David Ransom of McDermott, Will & Emery, KBI’s lobbying firm and legal counsel, also weighed in and offered advice. Health-Ade, Humm, and Brew Dr all reached out to share resources and support. From there, web searches revealed that this issue had been brewing for a month or so before it came to KBI’s attention according to a blog post by Brook Bristow of Bristow Beverage. She pointed KBI to the SC DOR as the body that had issued a guidance indicating they were looking into the matter and that out of an abundance of caution, they advised retailers to start carding anyone purchasing kombucha. Those emails spurred immediate phone calls to the South Carolina Retail Association (SCRA), helmed by Lee Ann Watson, to learn more about the notice that had just been sent out from their organization. “Crisis creates community” quipped KBI President, Hannah Crum upon receiving urgent emails minutes apart from Chairman of the Board, Zane Adams of Buchi Kombucha and GT Dave of GT’s Synergy Kombucha. Is kombucha considered a “similar fermented beverage” to beer? This question created a domino effect and some confusion as to how kombucha with an ABV of 0.5% and below ought to be regulated and by whom. Regular beer has about 4 to 5 percent alcohol.Recently, the Department of Revenue in South Carolina was posed a curious question. Gerry Khermouch, editor of Beverage Business Insights, estimates some kombucha brands might have 2 to 3 percent alcohol, based on reports from producers doing independent testing. The more sugar a drink has, the more alcohol can ferment. But alcohol can develop over time in unpasteurized versions because the yeast is still alive, converting sugars to alcohol. Kombucha makers say it leaves production with almost no alcohol. Pasteurized versions - where the yeast and bacteria are heated, much like milk - are still for sale because the process kills the yeast, which make the alcohol. But most prefer to buy it for convenience. Many fans make it at home by acquiring a kombucha "mother," a cloudy mass of bacteria and yeast from another batch. Kombucha (pronounced com-BOOCH-a or com-BOOK-a) contains live bacteria and yeast, similar to yogurt. I just don't like how that feels," she said. She can't find any at home on Bainbridge Island, Wash., about 30 minutes outside of Seattle and misses her "Booch." They're scouring stores, starting Facebook groups such as "Dude, where's my kombucha?" and lamenting online.Īnne Sommer misses drinking kombucha each day at 5 p.m., while her husband had wine. That's upsetting fans, who enjoy the sweet-but-sour taste and shell out more than $3 for a bottle. have removed the most popular form, raw kombucha, from stores, saying they won't restock until they know more. Distributors and retailers like Whole Foods Inc. Since last month, the government has been testing kombucha to determine if it should be labeled like beer or wine. And it doesn't hurt when stars like Lindsay Lohan are photographed drinking kombucha. But it has gained popularity in the past few years in the U.S., partly because of claimed health benefits, though there's little science behind them. The drink dates back thousands of years and across cultures, though its actual country of origin is unclear. ![]()
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