It has been one year since the family-run business Laughing Gut Kombucha opened its taproom in Poughkeepsie, providing those in the community with a unique brick-and-mortar destination to visit where they can relax and enjoy a great-tasting, healthy, nonalcoholic option on tap.

The taproom, which holds the distinction of being the first of its kind in the Mid-Hudson Valley region, is open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and sells eight flavors of kombucha on tap, plus a rotating selection of seasonal brews sold in cans, cups or refillable growlers. Laughing Gut Kombucha is also sold in retail locations throughout the Hudson Valley, in Brooklyn and other New York locations, as well as in the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“Kombucha is fermented tea; every brew begins as a big batch of sweetened tea, so our taproom menu embraces the theme ‘it’s all about the tea’ and includes a variety of high-quality tea products, such as hot and flash-chilled tea, matcha shots and matcha lattes, in addition to a selection of loose-leaf teas. As a fermented product, health benefits include gut-friendly probiotics, organic acids and B vitamins—all important,” says owner/partner Nancy Benziger, who makes up one part of the trio behind Laughing Gut Kombucha. She and her husband, Kent Benziger, are business partners/collaborators and their son, Adam Benziger, fills the all-important role of being the brewer.

 

Laughing Gut’s Brewing Philosophy

According to Adam Benziger, their brewing philosophy is simple: “Brew a delicious base with a variety of great teas and botanicals; let it naturally ferment; add fresh, organically grown herbs and spices; and gently carbonate. We strive to capture the essence of kombucha without masking its authentic tartness with sweetened fruit juices or too many competing flavors. Laughing Gut is raw and unpasteurized.”

Their core flavors are Lavender; Star Anise & Orange Zest; Green Tea; Chamomile & Mint; Rooibos Ginger; and Butterfly Pea Flower & Rosemary. Their seasonal limited-release flavors include Chai Spice (fall and winter) and two main summer options: Jalapeno Lime and Lemon Balm & Hops.

 

Evolution of Laughing Gut

After two-and-a-half years at the Poughkeepsie Open Kitchen, a shared kitchen space for food and beverage entrepreneurs, Laughing Gut moved into their own production facility and taproom off Main Street in Poughkeepsie. The taproom opened its doors on July 10, 2021. According to Nancy Benziger, “The taproom feature was an important component of the new brewery project—joining other small businesses looking to be a part of the city of Poughkeepsie’s revitalization efforts.”

What’s in store for this growing family business? “Future plans include an outdoor patio space, food trucks, snacks and events,” shares Nancy Benziger.

Location: 289 Main St., Ste. 103, Poughkeepsie, NY. For more information, call 845.541.2722, email [email protected] or visit LaughingGut.com.

Related article:

Laughing Gut: Poughkeepsie brewer redirects expertise from beer to healing kombucha