We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melanie Wade-Styles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melanie below.
Melanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
In the heart of Georgia, a beautiful story of tradition and love unfolds through a delightful beverage—Golda Kombucha. It all began with a cherished family recipe passed down through generations, originating from the hands of a remarkable woman named Golda. For over 40 years, Golda has lovingly perfected her unique kombucha recipe, pouring not just ingredients into the brew, but also her heart and soul.
This legacy inspired her granddaughter, Melanie Wade-Styles, to embark on a journey of her own. While attending college, I experimented with the age-old recipe, infusing it with vibrant flavors like lavender-lemonade and peach-ginger in her cozy home kitchen. With each batch I crafted, I felt the warmth of my grandmother’s love and wisdom guiding me. It was more than simply making kombucha; it was about honoring a family history steeped in wellness and resilience.
In 2013, after much preparation and passion, I introduced Golda Kombucha to the world at local farmers’ markets and craft fairs. The reception was overwhelming, as Atlantans quickly fell in love with this time-honored family treasure. Encouraged by the growing demand, I expanded my vision, doubling the size of my brewing facility and relocating to a bustling brewery on the west side of Atlanta.
Today, the spirit of Golda lives on through every sip of kombucha brewed. Available on tap and in ready-to-drink cans throughout the Southeast, including in over 100 Kroger supermarkets, Food Lion, and several Whole Foods Markets, Golda Kombucha has become a beloved choice among many. Each bottle carries with it the essence of family, tradition, and health—elements that form the core of this remarkable brand.
At the heart of it all, Golda and Melanie share not just a recipe but a deep connection that transcends generations. Their story is one of love, legacy, and the beautiful journey of bringing wellness and joy to others, one fizzy sip at a time.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Melanie Wade-Styles is the visionary Founder of Cultured South Fermentation Company, renowned for its exceptional creations like Golda Kombucha, Grandmother Hard Kombucha, and a diverse selection of fermented foods and beverages. In 2013, I introduced Golda Kombucha, proud to be Georgia’s first sparkling kombucha tea brand. This venture is deeply rooted in my family’s legacy, inspired by a cherished recipe passed down from her grandmother, Golda, who lived to be 99 years old and cultivated her unique brew for over four decades in Appalachia. I am proud to have continued my grandmother’s legacy.
While attending college, I began experimenting with my grandmother’s kombucha recipe, infusing it with fruit and herb flavors that celebrate Georgia’s rich bounty. After perfecting my craft in my home kitchen with delightful variations like lavender-lemonade and peach-ginger, I launched Golda Kombucha at local farmers markets and craft fairs. The response was overwhelming; Atlantans embraced the authentic, time-honored family recipe.
As demand flourished, I expanded Golda Kombucha’s production facilities and transitioned to a brewery on the west side of Atlanta. Today, my teas can be found on tap, in bottles, and growlers at numerous restaurants, bars, and grocery stores across the Southeast, including more than 100 Kroger supermarkets and eight Whole Foods Markets in Georgia. Through a partnership with a national logistics provider, Golda Kombucha is now available across the United States and its territories.
In addition to my entrepreneurial achievements, I have contributed to the kombucha community by serving as Secretary of the Board of Kombucha Brewers International for four years. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge, and I frequently teach classes on kombucha brewing and fermentation, highlighting the health benefits of these ancient practices. I also dedicate my time to mentoring and coaching small businesses through my consulting practice.
Throughout my impressive 10-year career in the food and beverage industry, I have garnered numerous accolades, including:
– 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “50 on Fire” Innovation Award for Food and Beverage
– Invest Atlanta’s Excellence in Manufacturing Award in 2019
– Creator of 2018’s Best of ATL Healthy Beverage: Golda Kombucha
– Certified SBA “Emerging Leader”
In 2023, I took a monumental step by acquiring and renovating a historic property in East Point, GA, as the new production site for her kombucha. With the completion of my third state-of-the-art brewery, the Cultured South Fermentation family of brands is set for an exciting phase of growth, continuing to honor tradition while inspiring the future of fermentation. I embody the spirit of innovation and the importance of heritage, proving that delicious beverages can have a rich story behind them.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
Golda Kombucha proudly holds the title of Georgia’s first and finest sparkling kombucha tea. Drawing inspiration from a cherished family recipe featuring fruit and herb flavors indigenous to Georgia, Melanie Wade, the founder, began crafting kombucha during her college years and has since expanded her operations across the Southeast.
The manufacturing process of our kombucha involves four key ingredients: water, tea, sugar, and a culture known as SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). After steeping the tea in boiling water and allowing it to cool, SCOBY is added to the room temperature tea. This carefully orchestrated mixture then undergoes fermentation in a warm environment for 1-2 weeks, creating the distinctive flavors that define Golda Kombucha. This manufacturing process was tried and tested over the years, resulting in a perfect beverage.
Over the years, we have expanded our manufacturing process, encountering our share of growing pains along the way. Creating new flavors and transitioning to the production of cans has been a challenging yet worthwhile expedition. Despite the obstacles we faced, I would choose to embark on this journey all over again. Each step has contributed to our growth and innovation, allowing us to better serve our customers and share our passion for quality products.
Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?
We acquired the historic Atlanta Utility Works factory and transformed it into a brewery and event venue, which officially opened at the beginning of 2025. This venture was a collaboration with community partners, most notably nearby Arches Brewing from Hapeville. We bought it to make a place right within my home of East Point, where the community can gather and celebrate this gem of a facility among us.
Cultured South, renowned for Georgia’s first non-alcoholic kombucha tea brand, Golda Kombucha, took on the restoration of this former farm equipment factory to expand operations and produce their newly unveiled GrandMother Hard Kombucha as well as continue operations of the already existing Golda Kombucha line of products. Led by founder and East Point resident Melanie Wade-Styles, the company has filed for a building permit with the city of East Point to commence the construction of a full-service restaurant and bar that will showcase Arches Beer, Golda Kombucha, and GrandMother Hard Kombucha, all available on draft.
The revitalization of Atlanta Utility Works has allowed me to partner strategically with local businesses to create a vibrant food and drink destination unique to the Tri-Cities area. Arches Brewing, an eight-year-old brewery relocating from Hapeville, has relocated its taproom and production facilities within the venue, offering over 20 taps serving exclusively Arches Beer, Golda non-alcoholic kombucha, and GrandMother Hard Kombucha, all brewed onsite in a state-of-the-art facility.
The brewpub will also feature garden-to-glass cocktails and daily food service from an on-site kitchen. A pivotal collaborator, “Good As Burgers (GAB’s),” a popular vegan food truck with East Point origins, will operate a 100% vegan kitchen, serving up vegan burgers, sloppy joes, and fries for dine-in and take-out options.
In addition to Arches and GAB’s, local community organizations “Market 166” and “A Sip of Paradise Garden” have supported my vision to reconnect the historic property with its agricultural roots. Market 166, a local grocery co-op, has curated a selection of Georgia-made packaged goods for retail sale within the taproom. Meanwhile, “A Sip of Paradise” has implemented raised bed gardens and landscaping around the venue, providing fresh herbs and fruits for local bartenders to incorporate in their cocktail creations.
Conveniently situated just minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and within walking distance from the East Point MARTA bus and rail transit station, Atlanta Utility Works has been an ideal venue for various events. Since acquiring the property in 2021, the facility has hosted numerous private and public events, ranging from weddings and corporate gatherings to dance parties and community activities.
For updates on the new brewpub’s progress and for information on upcoming events and booking inquiries, please visit the following website.
https://www.atlantautility.works/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://atlantautility.works
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlantautilityworksbrewpub/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AtlantaUtilityWorks/
