Tasting Profile
Palate. Moonbrew shows soft stone-fruit and floral notes lifted by citrus. It finishes clean and mineral, with a crisp, dry and structured character. Its photographed label summarizes the profile as "White—Fruity. Crisp. Floral." It has also been described as having sharp and lively undertones.[1],[2]
Empress describes an interplay of fruity and floral notes, well-balanced acidity and a clean, crisp finish. It attributes this profile to several fermentation techniques.[3]
Iridescent. The Moonbrew variant Iridescent is described as capturing the essence of summer fruits and flowers, with layers of flavour nuances. The Kitchn described Iridescent Moonbrew as pét-nat-like in character in August 2021.[5],[6]
Structure. Structural points stated in the sources:[2]
- Sweetness: Dry
- Acidity: Well-balanced (per Empress)
Pairings
Moonbrew is recommended with seafood, oysters, sushi, Asian cuisine, fresh salads and goat cheese. Empress suggests seafood dishes such as grilled prawns or ceviche. It also suggests spicy Asian dishes such as Thai green curry or Szechuan tofu noodles, and desserts such as crème brûlée, fruit salads or citrus sorbet. It is positioned as a wine alternative that pairs with most meals.[2],[3]
Composition & Vinification
Empress's website gives Moonbrew's ingredient list as: Kombucha (water, culture, sugar, black & green tea), nectarine, apricot, kombucha vinegar, orange peel, elderflower, and organic sea salt. A photographed front label of Empress Moonbrew lists elderflower, nectarine, apricot, citrus peel, verbena, and kombucha. Another photographed label lists Elderflower, Nectarine, and Citrus.[3],[4]
Nectarine -- Stone Fruit. Nectarine is one of the fruits flavouring Moonbrew. With apricot and elderflower, it brings soft stone-fruit and floral notes.[2]
Apricot -- Stone Fruit. Apricot is the second fruit in the blend and contributes to its soft stone-fruit character.[2]
Elderflower -- Floral. Elderflower carries the floral side of the profile.[2]
Citrus Peel -- Lift. Citrus lifts the stone-fruit and floral notes. The website ingredient list names orange peel, while Empress also refers to citrus zest. The photographed front label lists citrus peel.[2]
Kombucha Vinegar -- Declared Ingredient. Kombucha vinegar appears on the website ingredient list.[3]
Organic Sea Salt -- Declared Ingredient. Organic sea salt appears on the website ingredient list.[3]
Verbena -- Label Ingredient. Verbena appears on the photographed front label. It does not appear on the website ingredient list.[4]
Provenance & Sourcing
Specifications. Moonbrew is a sparkling Botanical White Wine Alternative. Empress's website labels it pasteurized, fermented and non-alcoholic, and gives its declared nutrition per 100 ml.[1],[3]
- Classification: Botanical White Wine Alternative
- ABV: less than 0.5% vol (stated on the photographed label)
- Label: Non-Alcoholic, Sparkling
- Treatment: Pasteurized, Fermented
- Energy per 100 ml: 118 kJ / 28 kcal
- Fat: 0.1 g (of which saturated 0.04 g)
- Carbohydrates: 5.0 g (of which sugars 3.7 g)
- Protein: <0.1 g
- Salt: <0.04 g
Production Philosophy
Moonbrew is a sparkling fermented tea from Empress, built on kombucha rather than on grapes. Empress describes it as capturing the essence of a sparkling white wine without alcohol. It is categorized as a Botanical White Wine Alternative.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5]
Empress lists Moonbrew among its Winealts. The company describes Winealts as kombucha-based beverages crafted with fermented fruits, herbs and botanicals to resemble the taste, aroma and mouthfeel of sparkling wine. By its account, they are neither dealcoholized wines nor made using grapes.