why choose Brussels Kvas?
FERMENTED
Produced by the natural process of fermentation, one of the happiest mistakes of human history :-)
MADE FROM RYE & BARLEY
Most of the internet resources say that kvass is made from bread, while the old kvass was traditionally made from grain.
The confusion (most likely) comes from two facts:
one - in some languages, such as Polish or Russian, the full kvass name translates as “bread kvass” (although it may not necessarily be made from actual bread),
two – there is a variation, made from stale bread, but it is more of a homemade version (or you need tones and tones of stale bread of the same kind to get consistent result from batch to batch)...
UNPASTEURIZED & UNFILTERED
Brussels Kvas is a raw drink, which means it continues to ferment in the bottle.
Despite this fact it will maintain its nutritional and taste qualities for up to 3 month at around 3-5°C (i.e. keep it in a fridge!). And we are continuously working to extend that…
The coolest thing about a drink like that is that you can “adjust” it to your liking!
For example, if you like it more savory and more fizzy, just take it out of the fridge for a few days. That’ll speed up the fermentation process.
If you’re going away and want to store it as long as possible, keep it at a close-to-a-zero temperature and the fermentation will almost stop completely...
VIRTUALLY ALCOHOL FREE
Brussels Kvass contains less than 1.5% of alcohol because the type of fermentation.
We use lactic acid fermentation, which is different from alcoholic fermentation, used in beer production.
The difference it that lactic acid fermentation does not produce alcohol. The minuscule amount is there due to wild yeasts, spontaneously penetrating the mixture from the air during the fermentation process.
100% NATURAL
We only use natural ingredients and processes. Rye, barley, water, sugar and ferments. No additives of any kind…
HEALTHY
BK contains 10 times less sugar then a conventional soft drink.
As a member of the "fermented family", Brussels Kvas has beneficial effects on the digestive tract.
Also, as we mentioned before, it is not pasteurized. Which means that all the probiotics, vitamins and other goodies are perfectly intact...
HISTORIC
Brussels Kvas is NOT JUST ANOTHER NEW DRINK!
It derives from a traditional Slavic beverage called kvass that has been around since the middle Ages. Its origins go back even further, to the ancient Egyptian times...
So, the concept we are presenting to you has actually been proven by the hundreds, if not thousands of years.
This type of drink is still popular today in countries like Russia, Ukraine, in Eastern and Northern Europe, Baltics and even in some regions of China.
Surprisingly, it has been virtually unknown in the Western World...
UNIQUE
The entire story of this project is connected to the Brussels region.
It was here we came across a plastic bottle of kvass that was so bad that it triggered our curiosity and passion that ultimately led to the creation of this project.
It was here we found the solution to the problem of a short shelf life that was intrinsic to the original old drink. It had been holding us back until we finally discovered the "magic" formula and thereafter decided to call it Brussels Kvas because it happened in Brussels.
Throughout our travels, we have found that most people know Brussels as the capital of the European Union.
Many have tasted, or at least heard about, Belgian beer.
But surprisingly few people know how rich the Belgian brewing culture actually is.
While telling our story, we invariably explain the deep historical roots and diversity of brewing in Belgium. And it sparks curiosity and interest wherever we go.
Brussels is a vibrant, energetic, cosmopolitan place where history, present, and future coexist in true harmony.
Brussels Kvas is nearly a perfect reflection of that because it represents a fusion of cultures spread across times and borders.
We hope that just like Brussels inspired us, this project can inspire and show other people that putting our differences aside and working together can bring about amazing results.