AMA
Irun
San Sebastián
Ama Brewery began as a group of friends brewing aged kombuchas in a garage in San Sebastián. The main minds behind this project are chefs Ramón Perisé and Dani Lasa, formerly of two-Michelin-starred restaurant Mugaritz.
Using locally sourced spring water from the Izarraitz Massif and carefully selected varieties of tea and botanicals by Rare Tea company founder, Herietta Lovell, Ama Brewery combines principles of kombucha production with the méthode ancestrale sparkling wine process.
Their signature pét-nat teas are wonderfully refreshing and richly aromatic alternatives to sparkling wine that are light on alcohol but big on flavour.
Bat
Ingredients Sencha Yabukita tea (Japan), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 2.7%
Production The tea infusion is fermented by the introduction of carefully cultivated symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast (Scoby), alongside the addition of dissolved organic cane sugar and the local mineral Izola Water sourced from the Izarraitz Massif mountain range. A small amount of a previous Ama batch is also added for consistency. A second fermentation takes place in bottle and all batches are allowed 6 months on the lees in bottle before disgorgement and release. This allows for the fine bubbles and complex flavours to develop.
Tasting Note Warm grapefruit, stone fruit jam and seaweed notes. Crisp and earthy.
Hiru
Ingredients Malawi Green & White Peony tea (Malawi), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 2.5%
Production The tea infusion is fermented by the introduction of carefully cultivated symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast (Scoby), alongside the addition of dissolved organic cane sugar and the local mineral Izola Water sourced from the Izarraitz Massif mountain range. A small amount of a previous Ama batch is also added for consistency. A second fermentation takes place in bottle and all batches are allowed 6 months on the lees in bottle before disgorgement and release. This allows for the fine bubbles and complex flavours to develop.
Tasting Note Tropical papaya, hay and dried herbs. Fruity and spiced.
Lau
Ingredients Milk Oolong tea (Taiwan), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 2%
Production The tea infusion is fermented by the introduction of carefully cultivated symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast (Scoby), alongside the addition of dissolved organic cane sugar and the local mineral Izola Water sourced from the Izarraitz Massif mountain range. A small amount of a previous Ama batch is also added for consistency. A second fermentation takes place in bottle and all batches are allowed 6 months on the lees in bottle before disgorgement and release. This allows for the fine bubbles and complex flavours to develop.
Tasting Note Caramel, bubble tea and warm chestnuts. Round and warming.
Bost
Ingredients Jasmine Silver Needle tea (China), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 1.5%
Production The tea infusion is fermented by the introduction of carefully cultivated symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast (Scoby), alongside the addition of dissolved organic cane sugar and the local mineral Izola Water sourced from the Izarraitz Massif mountain range. A small amount of a previous Ama batch is also added for consistency. A second fermentation takes place in bottle and all batches are allowed 6 months on the lees in bottle before disgorgement and release. This allows for the fine bubbles and complex flavours to develop.
Tasting Note Crunchy white pear, rose, dried Jasmine and acacia notes. Fresh and elegant.
Bi
Ingredients Lemongrass (Sri Lanka), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 1.5%
Production The herbal infusion is fermented by the introduction of carefully cultivated symbiotic colonies of bacteria and yeast (Scoby), alongside the addition of dissolved organic cane sugar and the local mineral Izola Water sourced from the Izarraitz Massif mountain range. A small amount of a previous Ama batch is also added for consistency. A second fermentation takes place in bottle and all batches are allowed 6 months on the lees in bottle before disgorgement and release. This allows for the fine bubbles and complex flavours to develop.
Tasting Note Spiced citrus, white rose, a hint of galangal and Keffir Lime leaf. Light and aromatic.
Elusive Cuvées Vol 2. Long Jing
Ingredients Long Jing (China), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 1.5%
Production The Long Jing tea variety is sourced from Hangzhou situated in the province of Zhejiang. This is hand picked before the spring rains arrive resulting in the fresh and succulent green tea used to craft this rare cuvée pet-nat tea. Brewed with water from the Izarraitz Massif in the Basque Country and aged on the lees for at least one year before bottling, allowing for a delicate mousse and complex aromatics to develop.
Tasting Note A wonderfully concentrated Ama, Vol. 2 is bursting with herbal tones reminiscent of tomato leaf, seaweed and freshly cut grass leading to a fruitier pallet showcasing notes of orange zest, passion fruit and hazelnuts.
Elusive Cuvées Vol 3. Chinese White Peony
Ingredients Chinese White Peony (China), Organic Cane Sugar, Izola Water, Scoby
ABV 1.5%
Production The Chinese White Peony, also known as Bai Mudan is sourced from Anshun, Guizhou province. This is hand picked from tender spring buds and fresh new leaves before being crafted into this rare cuvée. Brewed with water from the Izarraitz Massif in the Basque Country and aged on the lees for at least one year before bottling, allowing for a delicate mousse and complex aromatics to develop.
Tasting Note The nose is filled with aromatic roasted apple, peach and fresh cream. The palate follows with tropical tones of pineapple alongside savoury walnut and hay notes on the finish.