Hard yerba mate tasting room opens in Miramar

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San Diego has been home to breweries and brewpubs for decades and now a new craft beverage is creating a buzz.

Kové, a new hard yerba mate brewed in San Diego, opened a new tasting room in Miramar this summer. With 5% ABV (alcohol by volume), less than 10 milligrams of caffeine and less than 3 grams of sugar, Kové is a handcrafted tea beverage that is organic, vegan and gluten free.

This is the second tasting room for the San Diego-based company. Cofounders Josh Makler and Alex Montelbano opened their first space in Barrio Logan last year.

Borrowing inspiration from the Guarani word, Kové translates to “the art of living.” The brand’s mission is to “celebrate the experiences that make people feel most alive,” said Montelbano, who is the company’s CEO.

He calls Kové, an “exploration of botanical flavors” that uses “highquality, organic ingredients to create transparent and ethically-sourced beverages.”

With less sugar and typically half the caffeine as hard kombucha, Montelbano says yerba mate is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients.

The spiked tea comes in an array of flavors including dragon fruit margarita, passion berry, mojito and grapefruit spritz, served from the 14 taps found in the room.

Seasonal offerings and rotating brewer’s batches are also available.

Kové’s creative director, Christine Flannigan, brought a modern and eclectic essence to the new space, using her own hand-woven rugs and artwork from local artists like Rashelle Stetman and Yvonne Byers, who illustrated the ingredients on Kové’s packaging.

The Miramar tasting room is at 9030 Kenamar Dr., Suite 309.

Kové canned drinks are also available in select grocery and liquor stores like Sprouts Farmers Market.

ISRAEL PALACIO Kové’s new tasting room is the second for the San Diego-based company. Their first location opened last year in Barrio Logan.