About us
How it's made
It all starts with organic black and green tea leaves (Assam, Ceylon & Sencha) getting a well-deserved spa day with raw cane sugar. Simple ingredients setting the stage for something extraordinary.
Once the tea leaves are fully relaxed, they release their beneficial antioxidants and rich aromas. Then comes the SCOBY – a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that works its magic.
It ferments the tea, transforming sugar into organic acids and good bacteria that bring the kombucha to life.
No shortcuts. No fake stuff. Just old-school natural brewing.
We bottle it raw, never pasteurised, keeping the gut-loving microorganisms alive. Hence, the Fresh Living Tea
None, niks, quedalle. Because good kombucha should taste like kombucha without any fake stuff.
If your gut had hands, it’d be doing this 👌. No alcohol, no ragrets.
Brewed slow, fermented with care. Made by people who love good drinks as much as you do.
100% plant-based, but full of life. Our SCOBYs are well-fed, well-loved, and fully on board with the mission.
Low in calories, brewed in Belgium. Fresh, close to home, and with 3x less sugar than regular sodas.
2000 Years Ago
Once upon a SCOBY
Legend has it that somewhere in ancient Asia, a curious emperor stumbled upon a fermented tea that was so refreshing, he declared it a gift from the gods. We’re not saying it was kombucha... but it was definitely kombucha.
2017
Tommy discovers kombucha
Fast forward to 2017, when Tommy, one of our founders, discovered kombucha in San Francisco – back when America was still cool. Yeah, we know – “found kombucha in the States” is hardly the most original story. But hey, at least he didn’t come back with a man bun. Or did he?
2019
Birth of Optimist Brew Co.
With his brother Gus, Julian the pirrrate, and Nico the brewing wizard, Optimist Brew Co. was born. Started in a cave (well, almost), and evolved into a real brasserie. Same SCOBY lineage, less Tupperware, bigger tanks.
2025
A few glow-ups later…
...and over 300,000 liters of kombucha brewed, 350+ spots make countless bellies smile. More places, more freshness, same unpasteurised goodness—toujours brewed lokaal, toujours natural.
The future
Brewing together
Smile Kombucha exists thanks to you. Every sip shared, every fridge stocked, every conversation about kombucha (awkward or passionate, we love both) helps keep this adventure alive. We started thanks to a gifted SCOBY, and we’re keeping the cycle going—pass by the brewery with a container, and we’ll share one with you. Free. Toujours. Parce que partager, c’est la base. The future isn’t just ours to write—it’s yours too. Ideas, feedback, wild kombucha dreams? We’re listening. Keep sharing, keep smiling.
Manifesto
At Smile Kombucha, we believe that healthy drinks should be for everyone. That’s why we craft fresh, high-quality beverages that are easily accessible. Made locally to provide the freshest kombucha, with 3x less sugar than regular sodas and no alcohol. Just honest brewing with real ingredients.
We exist to do things well and do some good along the way. Our approach is simple: brew with ethics, think long-term, and keep sustainability at the core of everything we do.
Every Smile Kombucha is packed with the highest concentration of living microorganisms of Belgian-made kombuchas – maximum magic for your belly. Making you beautiful, inside and out.
We’re driven by optimism, guided by humor, and inspired by the belief that small actions can make a big impact. That’s why we chose Smile as a brand – because good vibes are meant to be shared. One Smile at a time.
Meet the team
We have gained trust for your gut
