Inspiring Conversations with Evan & Alec Koski of Living Proof Brewing Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan & Alec Koski

Hi Evan & Alec, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hey there, we’re Evan and Alec Koski, two brothers from Calumet, Michigan, and Co-Founders of Living Proof Brewing Company, the northernmost kombucha processing facility in the state of Michigan. Here’s our story.

Alec brewed his first batch of kombucha at just 15 years old. It all started when his jiu-jitsu instructor introduced him to the health benefits of kombucha and probiotics. Alec’s instructor explained how kombucha could help with recovery and nutrient absorption, thanks to its positive impact on gut health. Intrigued, Alec began buying bottles of kombucha whenever he could, developing a taste for fermented foods and soon experimenting with making his own at home.

As a budding entrepreneur, Alec started trading gallons of kombucha for monthly jiu-jitsu memberships and selling large quantities to friends, family, and training partners. Seeing people enjoy his creations was immensely satisfying. Eventually, Alec taught me, Evan, how to make kombucha. Our kitchen quickly turned into a fermenting laboratory, with shelves filled with glass jars containing probiotic cultures galore.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, both of us were temporarily laid off from our restaurant jobs. Instead of letting it get us down, we saw an opportunity. With little convincing needed, I encouraged Alec to take a unique risk during such uncertain times. I explained how we could use this time to finally start the kombucha brand we had always dreamed of.

Alec was all in, and we began a sacrificial journey of stockpiling our stimulus checks and unemployment during the pandemic. After months of research, networking, building up small amounts of capital, and discussing with our rag-tag crew of enthusiastic friends, we diligently got started on building our own licensed commercial kitchen, meticulously ensuring that every detail met the stringent standards required for our operations. From acquiring the necessary permits to installing state-of-the-art equipment, we spared no effort in creating a space where our kombucha could be crafted with precision and care.

Living Proof Brewing Company was born in April 2021. Nestled in the historic Leo’s Building in downtown Laurium, Michigan, our small-batch kombucha brewery became a reality thanks to the incredible support from our loving family, generous friends, and amazingly small yet powerful community.

We vowed to make kombucha that was not only delicious and healthy but also community-building. Our goal was to offer crisp, refreshing, and flavorful probiotic drinks that boost immunity and tackle common health issues that our community may suffer from. We made a commitment to sustainability by partnering with local farms and community gardens for sourcing most of our produce throughout the growing season. We also gave back to the local farms and community gardens by collecting all organic waste from the process to aid in the composting efforts in our town.

Three years later, still in our infancy, we continue to uphold these commitments that we made since the start of our endeavor. You can now find Living Proof Kombucha at over a dozen retail locations in the Upper Peninsula. You will also find us tirelessly brewing kombucha for public and private events throughout the year.

Living Proof Kombucha is more than a drink—it’s our way of bringing people together and making a positive impact, one tasty sip at a time.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We are from Calumet, Michigan where no roads are smooth. One significant challenge for us was navigating the complexities of starting a business, especially during uncertain times like the pandemic. From securing funding and permits to sourcing quality ingredients in a zone 5b where the growing season is extremely short. Truly, every step presented its own set of hurdles and many sacrifices were made to make this dream a reality.

Additionally, building brand awareness and gaining traction in a rural niche market proved to be challenging. We had to work tirelessly to differentiate ourselves, establish our presence, and cultivate a loyal customer base.

Moreover, maintaining consistency and quality in our products while scaling our operations was no easy feat. Balancing growth with maintaining our commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability required careful planning and resource management.

Furthermore, as with any entrepreneurial endeavor, there were moments of doubt and uncertainty. However, our passion for our craft and unwavering determination fueled us through the toughest times, allowing us to overcome obstacles and continue moving forward.

Overall, while the journey has been filled with its share of challenges, each obstacle has been an opportunity for growth and learning, ultimately shaping us into the resilient entrepreneurs we are today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.livingproofbrew.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingproofbrew/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingproofbrew