Blog Review: Bootleg Bucha, Buffalo, NY

Bootleg Bucha is proud to be part of the transformation of the Rust Belt city of  Buffalo NY. The three founders have expanded relentlessly: starting back in November 2015  in their kitchen (like so many did), they moved 18 months later to a 3,000 sq. ft facility and now they’re in a 10,000 sq. ft. industrial location that was once the home of a company manufacturing marine engines for Coast Guard ships.

Stats

Blogging since: November 5, 2015
Last Updated: November 20, 2018
Posting Frequency: 1x month
Post Length: 300 – 600 words
Aesthetic Appeal: A WordPress blog with a clean, unfussy layout.
Graphics: Appealing full-screen-width images. Gritty “industrial-style” company logo.
Categories: None
Comments allowed: No
Alexa.com global traffic ranking: 12,315,524
Social Media: They have 5,320 followers on Instagram, where they’ve posted nearly 577 pictures. While only 402 follow them on Twitter reading 234 tweets, they have 8,122 followers on Facebook.

In the News

This October 2016 blog post lists the news coverage they enjoyed in the first year of operation. They include audio from local radio where the DJs rave about the new “fizzy drink” they discovered at a local yoga studio: “This bottle of something…(was called)…Bootleg Bucha.” They start by asking founder Todd “What is kombucha?”  The interview covers everything from health benefits to local availability and flavors.  A stellar example of how to pitch your product on the radio.

Location, Location, Location

The company has a clear sense of place: located in the regenerating industrial heartland, with a tasting room on the premises. They blog about their participation in County Fairs, holiday celebrations and more.

They invite participation from neighbors in the region:

Buffalo based, Bootleg Bucha is the only kombucha brewery in Upstate NY. We are really excited to share our passion for brewing and to bring this healthy, small batch product to the people of Western New York.
Stop by and talk to us!

Time and again, they post about locations where their product is available. They’re not shy about stating how their business benefits the Buffalo region:

We also want to be clear that not everything is sourced locally, but we try as hard as we can. Upwards of 4 times more capital recirculates in the local economy when we buy from locally owned and independently operated companies rather than chains, creating jobs, strengthening communities, and fostering a self-determined and democratic local economy.

Social Media Influencers

They aren’t limited to their region, and do sell online. Of interest: they actively recruit people as brand ambassadors who “live the healthy lifestyle and have a loyal social media following”. Ambassadors get “Perks include exclusive invites, social media love, free bucha and more!”.

This is a great low-cost way of promoting their products across the country and around the world. However, as a strictly independent news source, Booch News is, unfortunately, unable to accept freebies 🙂

Suggestions

Navigation would be improved by adding archives and categories.

As I’m sure they’re aware, there’s a company called Bootleg Boocha 1,500 miles to the west in Ft. Collins, CO. However, while Bootleg Bucha in Buffalo sell online across the USA from New York State, the Colorado company only seems to sell locally. So brand confusion is not, as yet, an issue. Their blog, with its clear sense of place, is a strong differentiator for anyone who might mix up the names of the two Bootleg companies.

In Closing

I was amused to see their recent November 20 post —  a few short days before this review was scheduled.  Their previous update was back in February. A coincidence? Perhaps. Or had they figured out Booch News was reviewing blogs every week in alphabetical order?

Botanica Health, you’re next up!

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1 Response

  1. Ian says:

    Some great press for Bootleg Bucha from their home town newspaper. The reporter tweeted a short video of their production line, noting they produce 60,000 bottles a month.

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