Worcester Kombucha Maker Gets OK To Expand With Taproom

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester's first taproom serving kombucha — a fermented, bubbly and just slightly alcoholic tea drink — is on its way to opening.

The Worcester License Commission on Thursday gave the OK to KrafTea Kombucha founder Matt Glidden to open a new taproom and venue along Brussels Street. Glidden said he doesn't have an exact opening date yet, but is targeting sometime in June.

Glidden plans to move his entire kombucha brewing operation out of the Sprinkler Factory building and into the new 3 Brussels St. space, which is in a complex of renovated warehouses near the Rothman's furniture store. The taproom would also host live events, like poetry readings, stand-up comedy and music. He estimates the space will have room for about 20 customers.

Glidden started off brewing his kombucha at 3cross Fermentation Cooperative before moving to the Sprinkler Factory along Harlow Street in 2018 to keep up with demand. KrafTea now sells a variety of flavors of its product in bottles and on tap at dozens of spots in the Worcester and Boston areas.