Some, of their selections of kombuchaIt was late on a Friday when I stopped into Flobucha to try a kombucha. The blueberry basil was just the refresher I needed to power through a boatload of end-of-week emails. Without checking the website first, I was hoping it might be one of their food pop-up nights featuring Mimi’s Ethiopian. Mike, behind the counter, asked if I was on their email list—the best way to stay in the loop on the shop’s many rotating events.
“It gets busy,” he warned. I made a mental note to arrive early next time.
Florian Trinkwalder, owner and founder of Flobucha, started his journey toward a healthier lifestyle by cutting out sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Looking for something to drink that wasn’t full of sugar and artificial ingredients, he and his wife, Erica, began bringing home kombucha from Publix. Before long, they were going through 10 bottles a week—a habit that quickly became expensive.
Owners Florian Trinkwalder and wife Erica“We could make this,” Florian said.
Erica laughed and asked, “You or me?”
While searching for a holiday gift that year, Erica came across a home kombucha brewing kit and thought, why not? Florian, an engineer by trade, was excited and began experimenting, documenting and inviting friends to taste-test new batches. At a dinner party one evening, when a guest asked to buy a bottle, everything changed.
“That was the tipping point. I never intended to turn it into a business. It was just a hobby for our own consumption and to share with friends—they all came back for more.”
Crafting a kombucha that’s better than store-bought—in taste, purity, and health benefits — takes time and precision. “I got lucky and one of my early batches was really good,” Florian said. Having documented every step, it is the process he still uses today. Making it in this precise way preserves the drink’s natural probiotics; it’s packed with enzymes, B vitamins, and antioxidants that naturally support gut and immune health. The end result is clean, natural, and almost sugar-free.
After more than a year of refining, the first six wholesale flavors were created: Raspberry Lavender, Blueberry Basil, Blackberry Fennel, Pomegranate Ginger, Guava Ginger Hibiscus, and Passionfruit Orange Guava. Seasonal releases add variety, including the wildly popular Blue Spirit—made with coconut water, ginger, and spirulina lending its striking hue—which has since become part of the core lineup. Though not certified organic, every ingredient is organic and thoughtfully sourced.
Referring to himself as a serial entrepreneur, Florian says, “One thing for me, of the businesses I created, this one is different. Flobucha is all about the journey for me. It is a business, yes, but it is a passion. I intentionally run the business as a journey and not a destination; that’s the difference for me.”
You can feel that energy the moment you step into the Flobucha taproom in Gulf Gate. A keyboard with microphone and guitars tucked into the corner reveal another of Florian’s passions: music. “During open mic people can come up on stage, use their own instruments or ours, and jam a little bit,” he adds.
Flobucha also fills a unique niche in Sarasota’s social scene: a completely sober venue. “There wasn’t anywhere in town to hang out without alcohol or caffeine,” Florian says. Flobucha is a unique venue that provides that. His Winesque line—a kombucha-based alternative to wine—adds to that perfectly. Available in Winesque Blanc, Rosé, and Cab, each mimics the character of its traditional counterpart: crisp and citrusy, floral and summery, and full-bodied with spice and berry notes. For beer lovers, Flobucha offers two kombuchas with malty, lightly hopped flavors that deliver the social experience without the buzz.
The shop also hosts regular community events like cacao ceremonies, sound baths, intuitive readings, and an open mic night that includes live music, storytelling, and poetry. Just as Mike suggested, sign up for their emails or check the website often to stay in the loop!
Along with the taproom located in Gulf Gate, you can find Flobucha at the Sarasota Farmers Market; served at local favorites like Flower Child, Crop Juice, and Simon’s Coffee House; or through home delivery subscriptions.
Flobucha
2725 Mall Dr, Sarasota
941-248-2133
flobucha.com