The Brinery

The Brinery is a Michigan-based artisan fermented foods producer founded in 2010, specializing in raw, unpasteurized, probiotic-rich fermented vegetables, tempeh, and hot sauce. The company originated from a small batch of sauerkraut made to preserve surplus cabbage at Tantre Farm in Chelsea, Michigan, and has since grown into a full-scale operation processing over 200,000 pounds of locally sourced, family-farmed vegetables annually at the Washtenaw Food Hub, a solar-powered production facility. The Brinery is led by David Klingenberger, Owner and Chief Fermentation Officer, whose commitment to traditional fermentation methods drives the company's product development and quality standards. Core product offerings include sauerkraut, kimchi, fermented hot sauce, and tempeh — all made using time-honored, small-batch techniques that preserve the natural probiotic cultures and nutritional integrity of each ingredient. The company's tempeh is produced using traditional Indonesian fermentation methods and is made with organically grown, non-GMO soybeans sourced from Janie's Mill in Illinois, resulting in a product noted for its nutty flavor, meaty texture, and exceptional freshness. The Brinery's vegetable fermentation process relies on a sea salt brine method that encourages the natural proliferation of beneficial lactic acid bacteria, yielding the characteristic sour flavor and effervescence associated with traditionally fermented foods. Beyond its flagship sauerkraut and kimchi lines, the company regularly produces small-batch and seasonal ferments featuring a wide range of vegetables including cucumber, radish, and asparagus. Products are distributed through retail and foodservice channels across Michigan, and the company ships nationwide via its online store. The Brinery sources produce exclusively from local family farms, reinforcing its deep ties to the regional agricultural community and supporting the broader local food economy. The company's product lineup is positioned squarely in the health and wellness segment, appealing to consumers seeking probiotic-rich, minimally processed, and traditionally crafted foods. With raw, unpasteurized offerings free from artificial preservatives, The Brinery occupies a differentiated niche within the refrigerated fermented foods and plant-based protein categories of the CPG market.