Panacea Brewing Company, a local family-owned kombucha business, has opened its taproom doors in Unit A5 at 102 Old Eastwood Road.

Robin and Art Hill launched Panacea Brewing Company in June 2016 after 20 years of dabbling in fermentation, and focusing primarily on kombucha for the past three years. Wanting to share their home brews with the community, the couple opened one of the first kombucha breweries in coastal North Carolina.
 
Kombucha is a fermented tea full of live probiotics that dates back nearly 2,000 years, according to Robin Hill. Kombucha is increasing in popularity thanks to health enthusiasts and the mounting research on the importance of probiotics and gut health, proponents say.

Panacea Brewing Company brews non-alcoholic kombucha in a variety of rotating flavors.
 
Many around town have become familiar with the Hill’s Booch Bus, a 1975 Volkswagen Westfalia with a custom built tap system. They began serving kombucha at the Port City Farmer’s Market hosted at Waterline Brewing Company on Tuesday evenings and quickly joined other area farmers markets.
 
The taproom has eight active taps with staple and seasonal brews such as Peach Ginger Turmeric and Plum Chai Spice. Brewery tours are offered, and kombucha is poured by the pint or growler.
 
In addition to the taproom and farmers markets, consumers can find the probiotic fermented tea around Wilmington at local restaurants, coffee shops and breweries, as well as small grocers that serve as refill stations. Visit Panacea’s website for a list of locations.
  
Panacea Brewing Company is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

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