KYLA Supports Sustainability & Protecting Our Rivers

The Freshwater Trust (TFT) knows that the best way to fix rivers is to promote collaboration and support multiple communities. KYLA Hard Kombucha, one of our sponsors, agrees with this practice wholeheartedly as they embrace sustainable manufacturing practices and support their community. Recently, we chatted with Morgan Robbat, president of KYLA, to find out more about her company and why they partnered with TFT.

Morgan Robbat, KYLA President

Can you tell us a little about KYLA and what it is you do?
KYLA Hard Kombucha was founded in 2018 and built on the spirit of innovation, craftsmanship, and deep brewing expertise. We offer a fermented and fizzy, light, and refreshing alcoholic kombucha beverage brewed in Hood River, Oregon. Our drinks are lower in sugar, calories, and carbs, and they’re filled with live kombucha cultures, making them a delicious gluten-free alternative to beer, wine, or a traditional cocktail.

I joined the team in 2020 as President and have the distinct pleasure of working with a passionate and talented team who are dedicated to growing our premium brand and educating people on the hard kombucha opportunity.

What made you want to partner with The Freshwater Trust?
TFT’s mission to preserve and protect freshwater ecosystems resonates with KYLA because we cherish our local rivers, environment, and the rich resources they provide the brewing team. We also value supporting our community, so working with a nonprofit organization that protects freshwater resources near Mt. Hood was the perfect fit for us.

What sets KYLA apart from other businesses in your space?
As the only major hard kombucha brand based in the Pacific Northwest, KYLA is set apart by its use of pure Mt. Hood spring water, organic black tea, and bespoke SCOBY (that’s the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast in kombucha). This combination produces a clean, refreshing hard kombucha.

KYLA is also one of the only woman-led hard kombucha brands. We celebrate it every March during Women’s History Month with donation initiatives that provide mentorship programs for girls and young women.

Our unique lineup of flavors also sets KYLA apart. Some of these flavors pay homage to the Pacific Northwest, including the Sunbreak Series, inspired by the moment the sun breaks through the gray skies.

But we wanted the flavor profile to be more adventurous and complex, so we blended the Pacific Northwest with global tropical flavors like yuzu and lychee. KYLA’s multidimensional flavors have been extremely well received, including our Lavender Lemonade, Sunset Trio (passion fruit, orange, and guava), Lychee Lemonade, and Colada Crush (coconut, pineapple, and yuzu).

KYLA Tropical Trio Pack

Lastly, KYLA has received hundreds of awards that have distinguished us in our industry, which reflects our passion for quality. For instance, KYLA has won the most medals of any hard kombucha at the U.S. Open Cider & Beverage Championships and was named “Best of Hard Kombucha Class” at the Canned Challenge Adult Beverage Competition. Of course, we don’t brew our drinks to win medals, but it sure is fun when we do!

What is KYLA’s “home river”?
Since we use fresh Mt. Hood spring water to brew KYLA and brew in Hood River, the Columbia River is our home river. It’s a gorgeous river set against the natural backdrop of the Columbia Gorge. Brewing in this location keeps us focused on the environment and the surrounding community that enjoys everything the river offers.

My personal home river would be the Russian River, which is a picturesque river that flows through Sonoma and Mendocino counties in Northern California.

Can you tell us about your work with environmental sustainability?
With the spectacular beauty of the Columbia Gorge, it’s not hard to see why sustainability has been part of KYLA’s underlying culture since the beginning. Hood River is truly a great place to live and brew. We do whatever we can to be sensitive to the environment that enticed us to this amazing place, including:

• Operating our own water treatment plant.
• Reducing our water use by millions of gallons.
• Distributing our spent grain to nearby farmers.
• Using a sustainable filtration system.
• Packaging our products in recycled paperboard.
• Using wind power to generate the needed energy.

Can you discuss any upcoming projects, promotions, or collaborations that KYLA is working on?
We are very excited to be releasing a new fun and vibrant “Tropical Trio” Variety Pack this summer now available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and select Kroger locations. It features three tropical flavors including Lychee Lemonade, Sunset Trio, and the newly released Colada Crush, and is perfect for sharing with friends and family, sipping responsibly at backyard BBQs and outdoor adventures.

During July, we ran a promotional deal with Whole Foods Market in which a percentage of any Tropical Trio six-pack purchased at select locations throughout Oregon was donated to The Freshwater Trust.

TFT Staff enjoying KYLA at a casual get-together.

Where do you see KYLA in the coming years?
KYLA and the hard kombucha category, in general, are experiencing an incredibly exciting growth period. We’re seeing increased consumer interest as people become more discerning about what they eat and drink. As a result, many consumers have become more open to seeking beverage alternatives made with strictly the good stuff, which is everything we offer with KYLA.