The Buzz About ‘Booch

When Stephen and Summer Kole started brewing kombucha in their kitchen back in 2016, it wasn’t with business plans or branding in mind—it was out of love and curiosity.

“We enjoyed drinking it, so we began the journey of self-taught, trial-and-error brewing at home,” says Summer. 

The name Noli South was inspired by their daughter Magnolia, “Noli” for short, whose early food sensitivities led the Koles to explore the gut-healing power of fermented tea. After giving her small daily doses of kombucha, they saw remarkable results. “We reintroduced those foods to her and were amazed to see that she no longer had negative reactions,” Summer recalls. “That opened our eyes to the true healing power of kombucha.”

Photos by John Day – Noli South Kombucha

Word spread among friends and family. Soon, demand outgrew their kitchen. They moved into a borrowed space at Finns Barista Bar, then into Amavida Coffee’s old roasting warehouse in Panama City Beach, where the operation still hums today—1,800 square feet of stainless steel, bubbling brews, and the funky scent of fermentation. “We just installed a new canning line that cranks out 36 cans a minute,” says Summer. “We’re running about 2,000 gallons a month and shipping to doorsteps across the U.S.”

At Noli South, every batch begins with green and white tea, a live culture, and patience. “Fermentation rewards patience and obsession,” Summer says. “We get to turn great tea, fruits, and Gulf Coast produce into something families drink every day.”

After the primary fermentation, each batch is finished with real fruits, herbs, and spices—never artificial flavors. “The result is clean, fizzy, and dialed for balance,” says Summer. “Bold flavor notes and a crisp, smooth finish.” Their kombucha is rich in probiotics, B vitamins, and digestive enzymes—ingredients that boost gut health, immunity, and energy. 

Photos by John Day – Noli South Kombucha

For many customers, it’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. “People reach for kombucha during the day because it’s bright and refreshing,” says Summer. “It’s a clean swap for heavy sodas and energy drinks. The B vitamins add a nice energy boost.”

They’ve also dipped into the CBD market. “People asked for a simple way to add calm to their routine without a bunch of junk. We built a clean, full-spectrum enhancer with straight-shooting labels and flavors that play nice with tea and fruit,” says Summer. “Minimal ingredients, easy dosing, and the best you can get anywhere.”

Though Noli South has grown far beyond its homebrew beginnings, the couple keeps things intentionally small and connected. “We’d rather know our customers by name and ship direct than chase the big distributor game,” says Summer. “We prefer to work with quality restaurants, coffee shops, and small mom-and-pop places that care about great, unique offerings.”

That personal touch shows up in every can, each flavor reflecting a bit of Florida sun and Gulf Coast creativity. “Every batch should taste like someone cares,” says Summer. “We put our soul into it.”  

Photos by Lindsey Masterson Noli South

Kombucha Cocktails
Bubbles with Benefits

Kombucha isn’t just for sipping straight; it’s also a lively base for cocktails. “Our kombucha is the perfect mixer,” says Summer. “Just add your favorite liquor, top with kombucha, and maybe muddle in some herbs or spicy peppers. A lot of people mix it with champagne—we call that a Cham-bucha!”

For something fun, try Stephen’s favorite Turmeric Mango CBD as a base. “We use local organic turmeric from Organic Ange, and that fresh turmeric is the cheat code. It pushes the mango and citrus over the top and gives the whole can this vivid, clean snap you can’t fake,” he says. “It’s Florida in a can.” And mixed with tequila, garnished with fresh produce,
it’s a tasty cocktail.

Tequila Turmeric Tango

Recipe courtesy of
Noli South Kombucha

Ingredients

1 shot tequila

Turmeric Mango CBD Kombucha (Noli South)

Ice

Slice of citrus or a chili pepper if you like a kick

Instructions

In a glass, host an ice party, add a shot of tequila, and call in Turmeric Mango CBD Kombucha for the rescue operation. Your taste buds will embark on a tropical journey, with tequila as the wild tour guide.