Welcome to the second edition of Tasting Notes, REAL’s monthly musings on everything we’re talking about and tasting at the moment. This one is a big one, so let’s dive in…
EDITION 02. THE FERMENTERY
We are so excited to finally be sharing what we’ve been working so hard on behind the scenes for the last year. The 1st of October will see the opening of our new, state-of-the-art Fermentery on the stunning Waddesdon Estate, in the heart of Buckinghamshire. This will be our new brand home where we will continue to produce our flagship Sparkling Teas Royal Flush and Dry Dragon, as well as working on innovative new projects and providing education.
Where a winemaker extracts flavour from grapes in a winery, brewers experiment with a myriad of hops in a brewery, and distillers carefully craft spirits in a distillery, we are experts in fermentation and set out to create a space from which our expertise could flourish. From this, came The Fermentery.
REAL’s founder David Begg says “We are passionate about leading the way in non-alcoholic fermentation. Opening the UK’s first sustainable, alcohol-free Fermentery brings so many opportunities for us in terms of flavour and education.”
NOTES ON PROVENANCE
The home of our brand has always been in Buckinghamshire. Our journey actually began in founder David’s garage near Chalfont St Giles, back in 2017. Along with co-founder Adrian, David experimented with over 150 different teas, using kombucha techniques to try to extract maximum flavour. After hours of trials and tastings, they landed on a liquid they were proud of. And when they shared those ferments with the folks at The Pig, who loved the depth and complexity of those first bottles, they became the first stockist and the business was formed.
We made our first real home at Hartley Farm, in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, where we set up our fermenting tanks in an outbuilding and our office in the old cowsheds. We’ll always be so fond of Hartley Farm.
However, as the business grew and we started to expand, we knew we needed a bigger patch. One where we could welcome our friends for tastings, tours and to try our experimental batches and so we are very excited to be opening our new Fermentery on the Waddesdon Estate, just a stone’s throw from where it all began.
Our new space not only increases our ability to innovate, but also gives our Sparkling Teas strong roots. We proudly continue to lovingly hand-craft every bottle of our British Sparkling Teas in Buckinghamshire.
VISIT OUR NEW HOME
At REAL we strive to deliver on experience as well as flavour and now is the time to bring the two even closer together…
You are all a big part of what makes us REAL and our new home gives us the opportunity to get to know you better. We’re so excited to be able to welcome you to The Fermentery to learn all about the magic of flavour and fermentation. Join us for Tastings and Tours where we will reveal the exquisite loose-leaf teas behind our drinks and pair them with some delicious local produce as you explore The Fermentery.
As friends and family of REAL, we are offering complimentary Tastings & Tours throughout October - please email hello@realdrinks.co to secure your place.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you soon!