Kove Hard Yerba Mate
"We are a global exploration of complex flavors developed to celebrate the art of living, ," according to Kové, an alternative craft brewery. Kové’s three founders have a background in another fermented tea: hard kombucha. Each previously worked for Scripps Ranch-based boochmaker, JuneShine. COO Josh Makler brewed there, as well as at Chula Vista’s Boochcraft. CEO Alex Montelbano worked as tasting room manager at JuneShine and AleSmith brewing, and operates nascent Miramar sour ale brewery, Invoak Brewing & Blending.
Chief creative officer Ryder England’s experience in marketing includes film production and the sort of experiential campaigns that help alternative beverages thrive. Before the pandemic interrupted his work at JuneShine, he was preparing to travel the country in a vintage trailer he tricked out as a mobile hard kombucha bar.
Eventually, they hooked up with the growing cooperative of brands residing in a former boiler factory on National Avenue. Anchored by Thorn Brewing Co. brewery and tasting room, the acre-sized property includes upcycling distillery ReBru Spirits, outdoor restaurant Sideyard BBQ, and indoor restaurant HottMess Woodfired Pizza. Kové opened a Miramar locale in 2022.