Wild Child Brew will soon be stamped — made in Red Deer.
Since about March, the kombucha makers have been brewing their version of the fermented tea beverage in a commercial kitchen in Blackfalds. This week they received approval from the City of Red Deer’s development office to move their microbrewery to a commercial building at 12-5579 47th St. in Riverlands.
“We just got the keys yesterday. We are planning to do a couple small renovations. We are going to continue brewing in Blackfalds at least for a couple more weeks,” said Emily Andres, co-owner of Wild Child Brew.
She said production in Red Deer will likely start in September.
“We are the first to brew it in Central Alberta. There is nobody else in the area,” said Andres, adding that the closest brewers are in Calgary.
Operated by two young Central Alberta families, the company decided to move to Riverlands to be part of the up and coming area in the city that is attracting small entrepreneurs, she said.
Andres first started brewing kombucha at home about four years ago after a cousin introduced her to the health drink.
Wild Child Brew flavours its drinks with organic fruit.
“Our flavours are always changing and people love that and we love that. It’s fun.”
Andres said the naturally carbonated drink has sugar added for some sweetness and the fermentation gives it a slight vinegar taste.
“It’s kind of like a pop, but a very, very healthy pop.”
The company has regularly been selling kombucha at Red Deer Public Market and every second week at Sylvan Lake Farmers Market.
Wild Child Brew is also on tap at Glow Juicery in Red Deer and Natural Solutions in Sylvan Lake.
Andres said they started out with booths at the farmers markets to gauge public interest in their product and have been happy with the reaction.
“Response has been amazing, over and above what we expected. We’re really thankful.
“We’re having a blast.”
For more information visit www.wildchildbrew.com.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com