Pilot was first brewed in Brooklyn to sustain the hedonistic foodie lifestyle. Back us on our ascent to keep bringing you the livelier brew.
Project Description
As a former chef and major foodie, I know people need gut health & immune support, and don't want to drink something just because it's healthy. I have been working in the food and beverage industry for 12 years. I had my gall bladder removed in my early 20s and started drinking and brewing kombucha to help with hangovers and then noticed I didn't have to make as many severe dietary adjustments with the benefits from the probiotics.
Lots of kombuchas are either too vinegary or watery, and making it at home is time-consuming and takes some practice to get it tasting just right. For hedonistic foodies in NYC who still make time for gut health, Pilot Kombucha is a raw and unpasteurized beverage that provides the most legit probiotic hit. Unlike national kombucha brands who brew for volume and shelf-life, Pilot Kombucha offers a livelier local brew.
For 4 years we’ve been making kombucha and growing as quickly as possible. Every year we’ve run into the challenge of finding more space, needing bigger equipment, and of course hiring outstanding team members to help us out. We’ve been a completely bootstrapped company thus far, and as we look to the future, we’re raising money to help us quadruple our brewing capacity to better serve New York and explore markets beyond the city!
What do we need? Well, a warehouse for one! The space we've found is extremely raw - basically just a concrete box, so we need some cash to make it just right for our increased production demands. With this fundraiser, we’re trying to cover some of the big-ticket items. We need a 600 square foot walk-in fridge to store the fresh ingredients as well as the finished product, some large brewing tanks, as well as a forklift to move product onto trucks to reach our distributors and then you. And that's just the tip of the iceberg - check out the FAQ to learn more!
We won't be able to to do this without you, and we've got some awesome rewards for you to choose from. Thank you in advance for your support. We're so excited to make this happen and share our new home with you!
Shout out to STG Productions for the video, James Maclay for the music, Ammo Marketing and Metamorph Agency for the organizational and promotional support! Extra thanks to Little Skip's & Clem's for welcoming us into their locations!
Updates
The Project FAQs
What is kombucha?
- Kombucha is a raw, fermented tea that is widely known for it's health benefits. People drink it to help with digestion, detoxification, and to aid the immune system. We like to say that it helps your body function more efficiently without putting the stress on your organs.
- Early studies have shown that some of the organic acids found in kombucha can actively repair liver damage due to alcohol consumption.
- Naturally occurring source of B vitamins, including B12 - especially important for non-meat eaters.
What are we spending the money on?
-
We need to build out our new warehouse production space: including wall partitions, a restroom, heating, & plumbing. Our contractor estimate for the entire space is $50,000.
- Draft Kombucha. Installing gas and liquid lines from the cooler to a tap system: $8500. Filling up growlers on demand: priceless.
- 600 SF cooler?! YEP! Kombucha is a raw beverage and requires refrigeration as soon as the fermentation cycle is over for safety and also to stop the fermentation. Cold is the only thing that makes the yeast go dormant, think of them like hibernating bears. We started with 1 shelf in someone else's walk-in, then got our own 120 SF walk-in, and for the past 6 months have been renting 300 additional SF in someone else's walk-in and it has been CRAMPED. This will give us room to make a bit more product in advance so YOU experience fewer shortages. This size has been quoted to us at $29,000!
- We're also in desperate need of a forklift: Y'all we've been loading and unloading trucks by hand for 4 years! We really need a break. A forklift costs almost $18,000.
Reward questions!
I live outside the NYC area but I'd love to do a private class, is there anything we can work out?
- If you live more than an hour away from Brooklyn, WHY? Just kidding!! I will ship you a SCOBY and we will have the nerdiest Skype session ever. I'll walk you through the process step-by-step, from my kitchen to yours. You can ask me any questions you want and even meet my cats!
I want to do the lesson but what happens when I'm done brewing and ready to bottle?
- The goal of the lesson is that you will be ready to brew, flavor, & bottle confidently without any assistance. We will review bottling & flavoring your brew in the lesson but you are also free to email me any questions you like after the lesson. I'll answer them as quickly as possible and to the best of my ability.
WTF is Yin Yoga?
- It's a deeply meditative form of yoga where you hold (mostly sitting/lying) poses for longer periods of time. It focuses more on working the fascia and provides a deeper release of stored traumas and emotions. This class will be paired with reiki healing and live music, and take place on the rooftop once we're all moved in and settled. It will be an absolutely blissful experience and even the most inflexible of yogis can do it.
WHEN TF is Yin Yoga?
-
Yin Yoga class will take place on the rooftop of our new home in early September. If we book a date/time that does not work for you, we will grant you access to 1 other event at our location of your choosing.
WHERE TF is Yin Yoga?
- Our new facility will be located at 71 Commerce St. in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
DISCOUNTED GROWLER FILL LOCATIONS
- As soon as the campaign closes we will be scheduling pick up locations with existing partners in NYC based on where orders are placed, similar to a CSA. Think you live somewhere weird? Don't worry, we'll make sure you get your money's worth, even if we have to deliver it to your doorstep! If none of these appeal to you, you can plan on getting your fills at our forthcoming tap room!
Yin Yoga class will be paired with Reiki healing and live music and will take place on the rooftop of our new home in early September. It will be an absolutely blissful experience. If we book a date/time that does not work for you, we will grant you access to 1 other event at our location of your choosing.
Not familiar with Yin yoga? Check out the FAQ because if you're not familiar with yoga at all it's a great place to start.
(This reward gets you access to the rooftop yoga session ONLY. This reward does not include a merchandiser pack, growler fill, or after party.)
Monetary contribution with no reward: just because you care.
We'll give you a shoutout on Instagram, professing our undying gratitude to thank you for this super generous contribution.
Limited edition "Frequent Flyer" tote bag, beanie, 1 bar of Fanciful Fox kombucha-inspired soap, 1 rad AF iron-on patch, and sticker pack. All shipped to your door!
Includes: Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
+
32oz Limited Edition Frequent Flyer Klean Kanteen Growler to fill with your fave bevies!
Includes: Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
+
64oz Limited Edition Frequent Flyer Klean Kanteen Growler to fill with your fave bevies!
Includes: Frequent Flyer Merch Pack, 32oz Limited Edition Growler
+
Exclusive download of 5 homebrew recipes to help you level-up your booch skills.
Half-off 32oz growler fills, 24 of them.
That's 1 fill every week for 6 months! The fills alone (no growler, no merch) would typically cost $300.
We will be scheduling pick up locations with existing partners in locations where orders are placed, similar to a CSA. Think you live somewhere weird? Don't worry, we'll make sure you get your money's worth!
Yin Yoga class will be paired with Reiki healing and live music and will take place on the rooftop of our new home in early September. It will be an absolutely blissful experience. There will be light bites & kombucha afterwards.
Take home a merch pack & growler! If we book a date/time that does not work for you, we will grant you access to 1 other event at our location of your choosing.
Not familiar with Yin yoga? Check out the FAQ because if you're not familiar with yoga at all it's a great place to start.
Our founder Alex will come to you to teach an hour-long kombucha brewing session.
She will walk you through each stage of the brewing process and answer any questions you have.
- Everyone goes home with a live kombucha culture to continue brewing with
- Normal price: $350
- Limit to 4 attendees per session.
- NYC area only (but Skype lessons also available)
Half-off 64oz growler fills, 24 of them.
That's 1 fill every week for 6 months! This would typically cost $550.
We will be scheduling pick up locations with existing partners in locations where orders are placed, similar to a CSA. Think you live somewhere weird? Don't worry, we'll make sure you get your money's worth!
Tired of paying $7/bottle? This reward gets you 1 case of kombucha delivered directly to your apartment every month for six months at our wholesale price.
*NYC AREA ONLY*
Our founder Alex will come to your office to teach an hour-long kombucha brewing session.
She will walk you through each stage of the brewing process and answer any questions you have.
- Everyone goes home with a live kombucha culture to continue brewing with
- Normal price: $45/person
- Limit to 25 attendees per session
- NYC area only (but Skype lessons also available)
For this party we will bring our tap room to you! We'll bring a kegerator and 2 flavors of kombucha (your choice) and serve unlimited kombucha to your team/family/party for 2 hours. Just tell us where!
Immediate scheduling available. Limited to NYC & within 1 hour's drive from NYC. Live farther? Get in touch, we'd be happy to work out a higher pledge tier to incorporate drive time!
For our Grand Opening Party: Hedonist Edition, we'll be mixing drinks using our favorite kombucha flavors with locally distilled spirits and pairing with Neopolitan pizza, burlesque performances and live music!
Included:
- Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
- A filled 32oz growler
Access to both parts of our Grand Opening Party!
Grand Opening Party: Saint Edition
Yin yoga class on the rooftop of our new home with Alex's favorite teacher, who is being flown out from Seattle, Kiersten Cregger! Reiki healing, light bites and live music.
Grand Opening Party: Hedonist Edition
Drinks mixed using our favorite kombucha flavors and locally distilled spirits. All paired with Neopolitan pizza, burlesque performances, and live music!
Included:
- Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
- A filled 64oz growler
Frequent Flyer Merch Pack plus you get to collaborate with Alex to bring the flavor of your dreams to life! We'll feature it on tap at our taproom & farmer's markets and fill your custom growler for you to take home.
Rewards
Yin Yoga class will be paired with Reiki healing and live music and will take place on the rooftop of our new home in early September. It will be an absolutely blissful experience. If we book a date/time that does not work for you, we will grant you access to 1 other event at our location of your choosing.
Not familiar with Yin yoga? Check out the FAQ because if you're not familiar with yoga at all it's a great place to start.
(This reward gets you access to the rooftop yoga session ONLY. This reward does not include a merchandiser pack, growler fill, or after party.)
Monetary contribution with no reward: just because you care.
We'll give you a shoutout on Instagram, professing our undying gratitude to thank you for this super generous contribution.
Limited edition "Frequent Flyer" tote bag, beanie, 1 bar of Fanciful Fox kombucha-inspired soap, 1 rad AF iron-on patch, and sticker pack. All shipped to your door!
Includes: Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
+
32oz Limited Edition Frequent Flyer Klean Kanteen Growler to fill with your fave bevies!
Includes: Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
+
64oz Limited Edition Frequent Flyer Klean Kanteen Growler to fill with your fave bevies!
Includes: Frequent Flyer Merch Pack, 32oz Limited Edition Growler
+
Exclusive download of 5 homebrew recipes to help you level-up your booch skills.
Half-off 32oz growler fills, 24 of them.
That's 1 fill every week for 6 months! The fills alone (no growler, no merch) would typically cost $300.
We will be scheduling pick up locations with existing partners in locations where orders are placed, similar to a CSA. Think you live somewhere weird? Don't worry, we'll make sure you get your money's worth!
Yin Yoga class will be paired with Reiki healing and live music and will take place on the rooftop of our new home in early September. It will be an absolutely blissful experience. There will be light bites & kombucha afterwards.
Take home a merch pack & growler! If we book a date/time that does not work for you, we will grant you access to 1 other event at our location of your choosing.
Not familiar with Yin yoga? Check out the FAQ because if you're not familiar with yoga at all it's a great place to start.
Our founder Alex will come to you to teach an hour-long kombucha brewing session.
She will walk you through each stage of the brewing process and answer any questions you have.
- Everyone goes home with a live kombucha culture to continue brewing with
- Normal price: $350
- Limit to 4 attendees per session.
- NYC area only (but Skype lessons also available)
Half-off 64oz growler fills, 24 of them.
That's 1 fill every week for 6 months! This would typically cost $550.
We will be scheduling pick up locations with existing partners in locations where orders are placed, similar to a CSA. Think you live somewhere weird? Don't worry, we'll make sure you get your money's worth!
Tired of paying $7/bottle? This reward gets you 1 case of kombucha delivered directly to your apartment every month for six months at our wholesale price.
*NYC AREA ONLY*
Our founder Alex will come to your office to teach an hour-long kombucha brewing session.
She will walk you through each stage of the brewing process and answer any questions you have.
- Everyone goes home with a live kombucha culture to continue brewing with
- Normal price: $45/person
- Limit to 25 attendees per session
- NYC area only (but Skype lessons also available)
For this party we will bring our tap room to you! We'll bring a kegerator and 2 flavors of kombucha (your choice) and serve unlimited kombucha to your team/family/party for 2 hours. Just tell us where!
Immediate scheduling available. Limited to NYC & within 1 hour's drive from NYC. Live farther? Get in touch, we'd be happy to work out a higher pledge tier to incorporate drive time!
For our Grand Opening Party: Hedonist Edition, we'll be mixing drinks using our favorite kombucha flavors with locally distilled spirits and pairing with Neopolitan pizza, burlesque performances and live music!
Included:
- Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
- A filled 32oz growler
Access to both parts of our Grand Opening Party!
Grand Opening Party: Saint Edition
Yin yoga class on the rooftop of our new home with Alex's favorite teacher, who is being flown out from Seattle, Kiersten Cregger! Reiki healing, light bites and live music.
Grand Opening Party: Hedonist Edition
Drinks mixed using our favorite kombucha flavors and locally distilled spirits. All paired with Neopolitan pizza, burlesque performances, and live music!
Included:
- Frequent Flyer Merch Pack
- A filled 64oz growler
Frequent Flyer Merch Pack plus you get to collaborate with Alex to bring the flavor of your dreams to life! We'll feature it on tap at our taproom & farmer's markets and fill your custom growler for you to take home.