Bio : Flying Embers
Flying Embers is the industry leading Better-For-You Alcohol Company making delicious hand-crafted beverages in Ventura, California. With a strong commitment to innovation, Flying Embers' products feature the absence of negatives like sugar, carbs and calories, while also the addition of positive attributes such as live probiotics, antioxidants, adaptogens and USDA certified organic ingredients. These great tasting botanical brews with functional benefits currently include both a Hard Kombucha line and Hard Seltzer offering. A proud supporter of its community, Flying Embers donates a portion of revenue to firefighters and first responder charitable organizations out of respect for their service. Flying Embers was founded in 2017 by beverage entrepreneur Bill Moses, former CEO of Kevita sparkling probiotics, which was sold to PepsiCo in 2016. Today, Flying Embers has three tap rooms in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Boston, and its products are sold in 40 states across the U.S. To learn more, visit FlyingEmbers.com or @FlyingEmbersBrew.
Who We Are
Flying Embers is the industry leading Better-For-You Alcohol Company making delicious hand-crafted beverages in Ventura, California. With a strong commitment to innovation, Flying Embers' products feature the absence of negatives like sugar, carbs and calories, while also the addition of positive attributes such as live probiotics, antioxidants, adaptogens and USDA certified organic ingredients.
The Product
■ Flying Embers Hard Kombucha is 0 sugar, 0 carbs, between 85 - 135 calories and comes in both low and high-ABV (alcohol by volume) versions ranging from 4.5% to 7.2%. Additionally, Flying Embers Hard Kombucha contains live probiotics, antioxidants, USDA certified ingredients, as well as adaptogens – and is gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan and keto-friendly.
■ Flying Embers is the world’s first shelf-stable hard kombucha featuring live probiotics and native kombucha bacteria. It does not need to be refrigerated and is never pasteurized. Scientifically crafted with a dry fermentation process and proprietary kombucha culture , Flying Embers Hard Kombucha features a perfectly balanced, subtle sweetness without any added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
■ Flying Embers Hard Kombucha is available in 6 core refreshing flavors, including Berry, Grapefruit, Lemon, Ginger, Pineapple Chili, and Black Cherry. In 2021, they will release 4 new flavors including Watermelon Basil, Cucumber Juniper, Mango Coconut and Rosé.
■ In the Summer of 2020, Flying Embers expanded its portfolio with the release of a new line of hard seltzers. In what they’re describing as “the new shape of seltzer,” Flying Embers Hard Seltzer is the world’s first probiotic-powered hard seltzer with antioxidants and all USDA organic ingredients. This new entry to the fast-growing category features delicious and unique flavor combinations, while delivering on the consumer need for healthier options with only 95 calories, 0 sugar, 0 carbs, USDA organic ingredients, live probiotics, and the antioxidant Vitamin C.
■ Flying Embers Hard Seltzer is available in 2 unique collections featuring 6 inspired flavor combinations, including:
○ Botanical Fruit & Flora: Clementine Hibiscus, Passionfruit Elderflower, and Black Cherry Rose
○ Tropical Sweet & Heat: Watermelon Chili, Guava Jalapeno, and Pineapple Cayenne
Our Mission
Flying Embers’ mission is to disrupt the unhealthy alcohol paradigm. We are a conscious brand that's dedicated to doing its part in building a better world. As healthy living and mindful drinking converge, we want our consumers to feel like they’re part of the solution by leveraging their purchasing power for the greater good. We stand by innovation and crafting libations that have better ingredients for you that actually matter.
Brewed With Gratitude
In the Fall of 2016, Fermented Sciences Inc. was founded in Ojai, California by a team of passionate entrepreneurs who were determined to disrupt the unhealthy alcohol paradigm. In a hundred-year-old stone wine cellar, we built a laboratory and began to dive deep into the ancient alchemy of fermentation.
One year later, a massive wildfire threatened our fermentation lab. As the flames towered above and swirling embers filled the sky, we faced the complete destruction of our dream and potentially our lives. When the winds turned, we were left with a deep appreciation for the power of nature and a profound sense of gratitude for each other and life itself.
Out of this transformational experience came the inspiration for the Flying Embers name, and our renewed commitment to create functional beverages that illuminate and celebrate the experience of life. Flying Embers is committed to donating a portion of its revenue to firefighters and first responder charitable organizations out of gratitude for their service.
Who We Support
■ 1% to First Responders (see story above)
■ Next Rung
■ Los Angeles County Fire Museum
■ Environmental Cleanup Efforts (forests, beaches, rivers, and more)
Recent News And Plans For The Brand
Flying Ember’s Brewery & Social Club in the downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District is set to open soon following California’s COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.
Flying Embers launched an organic, better-for-you hard seltzer line with probiotics and antioxidants in the Summer of 2020 and their beer line in early September.
BILL MOSES
Bill Moses is an influential leader, proven innovator, and inspiring mentor in the beverage industry. As Founder & CEO of Fermented Sciences Inc. (FSI), Bill steers the helm of a cutting-edge, innovation lab that's transforming the alcohol industry with “better-for-you” products. Flying Embers, a hand-crafted, hard beverage brand platform, sprung from Bill's cutting edge work at Fermented Sciences Inc. He is currently the Founder and CEO of Flying Embers, as well.
Launched in 2018, Flying Embers has developed a leading portfolio of great tasting fermented botanical brews with certified organic ingredients and functional benefits. Under Bill's leadership, the company set out to create both a conscious movement and platform that gives consumers better wellness choices, even when it comes to alcohol. Since its inception, Flying Embers has expanded its product selection, scaled to over 120 distributors across the United States, and positioned the brand to successfully disrupt the $600+ billion global beer market.
Prior to Fermented Sciences Inc. and Flying Embers, Bill was the Co-Founder, former Chairman, and CEO of KeVita Probiotic Drinks, a high-growth beverage brand acquired by PepsiCo Inc. in Dec. 2016. Launched in 2010, Bill helped the brand achieve epic results, growing KeVita from a small California brand to an international leader sold in 20,000+ retail locations across North America.
Bill's financial acumen and decisive judgment in an ever-changing consumer product goods landscape, has his leadership sought out by the leading competitive players and brand disruptors. And it's no secret that Bill's an established "brand builder," as well.
Here are just some of Bill's current leadership roles, on top of everything else he does:
- Strategic advisor, principal shareholder, and board member of:
- Wilde Brands - a paleo protein chip snack
- Koia Plant-Based Protein Drink
- Vive Organic immunity boost shots
- Executive Chairman of Iconic Protein Beverage Brand
Bill's innate competitive spirit, drive, and focus can be accredited to the roles that afforded him opportunities to excel early in his career. Having accrued over 25 years of business and finance experience, Moses began his career at Bear Stearns, Inc. He served as a Partner of Axiom Partners, LTD. a New York investment banking and brokerage firm. He was co-founder and CEO of Recovery Television Network & RNetHealth.com, which sold to Liberty Media.
Bill finds joy in deep personal relationships and helping others. He is a recipient of the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor and served as Honorary Chair of Cable Positive, the telecom’s industry’s AIDS-action NGO. Outside of work, Bill is rejuvenated by anything wellness-related, whether it's a yoga class, hiking, biking. With a passion to do things differently, he is constantly enticed by challenges large and small, including playing the guitar, mastering a kung pow chicken recipe for his three sons, and yes, gardening.
BERYL JACOBSON
As Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of Flying Embers, Beryl combines business acumen, creative prowess, and an appetite for innovation. He has successfully nurtured a marketing vision and a business model that are redefining the alcohol paradigm with consciously-crafted, ‘better-for-you’ products.
A serial entrepreneur, Beryl's professional career is much like a mosaic, composed of unique experiences, intricate pieces, and learning curves that coincidentally and purposefully fit together. Prior to Flying Embers, Beryl served as a Creative Director and Strategist at a few of the top creative and experiential boutique agencies including Blue Flame, MetaBrand and Guru Media. In 2008, he founded Mozaik Media, where he led a creative team focused on wellness and nutrition-related CPG products. A leader in branding, identity, and brand storytelling Beryl's team helped brands connect authentically with their customers. In 2011, he founded Mozaik Learning, a next-generation SAAS education platform that specialized in delivering content for entities to become their own online learning destination.
While launching Flying Embers in 2017, Beryl was focused on cultivating a talented cross-functional team that could build a vertically integrated brewing and innovation company. He was a leader in bringing liquid innovations to market and striking distributor deals across the country. In his pursuit to play his part in revolutionizing the beverage industry, his role has evolved ever since, consistently adapting to the brand’s needs. This includes launching the company’s DTC and e-commerce function, opening the brand’s brick-and-mortar Brewery Tap Room experience, and establishing lasting partnerships with the Hollywood Bowl, the Brooklyn Bowl, and countless music festivals.
Beryl's wellness journey began when he was young, and he knew early on that his career would one day be centered around health, wellness, and positivity. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources at University of California, Berkeley, Beryl sought inspiration traveling the world and making music. He has lived, worked, surfed, and performed all over the world. He currently resides in Ojai, California with his wife and three children.
LIZ TOMIC
Liz brings broad industry and strategic experience to her role as Flying Embers’ Chief Growth Officer, where she is focused on implementing effective brand building, marketing and innovation strategies. Prior to Flying Embers, Liz was a respected thought leader at ZX-Ventures (an AB-InBev Company), where she was responsible for launching and investing in dozens of high-growth, disruptive beverage ventures worldwide.
Uncovering consumer trends and applying thoughtful solutions to complex problems are the common threads linking each of her past roles. She led creative rebrands and digital transformation at Prophet, and concentrated on value creation as an investment banking professional at both J.P. Morgan and Training The Street. Professional pursuits aside, real-life experience is what taught Liz about the true power of innovation. In 2019, she co-founded the organization that supported a transatlantic rowing challenge, raising $1M money for the Yale Cancer Center.
Liz received an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University. She believes that diversity of thought and experiences are key to succeeding in both life and business. Health and wellness are her top priorities, and as a foodie at heart, so is ordering the wildest, most obscure food or beverage items listed on the menu.