The inaugural winner of The Golden Hive Award was Kommunity Brew. This beverage company from Western Australia embodies everything these new awards were created to celebrate, innovation, excellence, passion, and determination.
Across every aspect of its business, Kommunity Brew embodies innovation, collaboration, consideration, creativity and ingenuity all within a framework of working for having an impact as well as making a profit.
Kommunity Brew reflects the excellence and innovation the industry is capable of. From a garden shed in 2015 to today, a new brewery made from recycled and reclaimed materials, sustainability embedded in all it does, engagement with CSIRO and universities to drive its research and strategic planning, investment in technology to foster growth and mitigate vulnerabilities, an enviable workplace culture, and constant new product testing and development to guarantee growth all lend themselves to creating a very special company.
The company produces its signature kombucha range, an Australian first probiotic sparkling water, health shots, and the branded Cold Matter range of cold-brewed coffee and tea. These offerings are all-natural, high in antioxidants, low-sugar, gluten-free, and either no-alcohol or low-alcohol, catering to the growing demand for healthier beverage options.
Kommunity Brew is currently focusing on hydration, gut microbiome and nervous system function, capturing new and trending nutraceuticals for product development.
For founder and CEO, Mason Bagios, key markers of success include working with people who love the company and know what it stands for, from consumers to investors, suppliers, and distributors.
Bagios is also focused on spotting talent in people who might not be qualified in the industry but whose talent he knows will blossom under strong leadership.
Building sustainability into every business decision whether it is consumer health benefits or packaging having a minimal impact. When Kommunity Brew transformed a derelict building into its new brewery headquarters using recycled and repurposed materials, the site has since delivered a 375 per cent increase in production capacity for carbonated, non-carbonated, fermented, and non-alcoholic beverage production.
Developing new production processes, such as cold steeping of tea and coffee, has allowed the company to capitalise on both the Covid-induced buy-local movement and the healthier lifestyle choices influencing shoppers’ brand selections today.
Its small-scale production capabilities has also enabled KB to sign a deal with a coffee roaster and create a 100-litre prototype for Cold Matter – less than $10,000 to prove the concept.
KB has entered a partnership with Perth-based pharmaceutical company MediCann to produce a range of hemp-infused beverages, which will put them at the forefront of the emerging hemp wellness drink trend in Australia.
Kommunity Brew is committed to the best ethical practices it can employ, from its team to ingredients, stockists, and distributors. Bagios has imprinted an energy and sense of purpose in the company that can be seen in all it does.
