Award-winning sparkling cold-brewed tea crafted in Berkshire with British honey.
Location: Woolton Hill, Berkshire
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Our Story
Black Bear Honey Co. began as a deeply personal project rather than a business plan. Founder Stephen Greer discovered beekeeping while looking for a way to quiet a restless mind and reconnect with nature. Working among the bees gave him a sense of calm and purpose that inspired a completely new direction in life.
After deciding to give up alcohol, Stephen struggled to find a sophisticated soft drink made with natural ingredients instead of refined sugar, artificial sweeteners or additives. Drawing on his experience as a home brewer, he began experimenting with the honey produced by his own hives in Berkshire, blending it with cold-brewed green tea to create something entirely different.
Months of testing recipes and refining the brewing process eventually led to a drink that wasn't kombucha, iced tea or sparkling water. Instead, it became a new category of sparkling cold-brewed tea, naturally sweetened with British honey and crafted to offer clean flavour, gentle refreshment and a steadier kind of energy.
Since launching, Black Bear Honey Co. has expanded from local markets to national food festivals and retail listings, adding fruit and botanical varieties including Apple & Chamomile and Pear & Elderflower while staying true to the original philosophy of creating honest drinks from simple, natural ingredients.
Meet The Team
Black Bear Honey Co. was founded by Stephen Greer, a beekeeper, brewer and creative entrepreneur whose personal experiences shaped every aspect of the business.
Originally from England and having spent several years living in Vancouver, Canada, Stephen returned to Berkshire with a renewed appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Following a bipolar diagnosis, beekeeping became an important source of balance and wellbeing, eventually inspiring the creation of Black Bear Honey Co.
Today Stephen continues to oversee the brand as its founder, beekeeper and head brewer, combining traditional beekeeping with innovative brewing techniques to create drinks unlike anything else on the market.
How It's Made
Every Black Bear sparkling tea starts with carefully selected Chunmee green tea, which is cold brewed for 24 hours rather than brewed with heat. This slow extraction produces a smooth, refreshing flavour while preserving the tea's natural character and reducing bitterness.
Pure British honey from Stephen's own hives, together with honey sourced from trusted local beekeepers, provides the drink's natural sweetness. Unlike many soft drinks, no refined sugar, artificial sweeteners or preservatives are added.
Pressed British fruit juices and carefully chosen botanicals are blended into selected recipes before gentle carbonation creates the finished sparkling tea. The result is a crisp, naturally refreshing drink with clean flavours and a distinctive honey finish.
Sustainability
Black Bear Honey Co. builds its drinks around British honey sourced from Stephen's own apiaries and neighbouring local beekeepers, supporting British beekeeping and reducing unnecessary food miles.
The company focuses on simple recipes made from recognisable ingredients, avoiding refined sugar, artificial sweeteners and unnecessary additives. By working closely with nature and celebrating the role of honey bees, the brand encourages greater appreciation of pollinators and the environment they depend upon.
Awards
Black Bear Honey Co. has quickly gained recognition for creating an entirely new style of soft drink, combining British honey with sparkling cold-brewed tea.
- Great Taste Award Winner 2026
- Featured at the BBC Good Food Show.
Where You'll Find Us
Black Bear Honey Co. is based in Berkshire, where every sparkling tea begins with honey from Stephen's own hives and carefully selected British ingredients.
Their range includes the original Classic Sparkling Tea alongside Apple & Chamomile and Pear & Elderflower varieties, all naturally sweetened with British honey and crafted without refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Discover Black Bear Honey Co. through Good Food Scout and experience a refreshing new take on premium British soft drinks.
FAQs
What is Black Bear Honey Co.?
Black Bear Honey Co. creates sparkling cold-brewed teas naturally sweetened with British honey, offering a refreshing alcohol-free alternative made from simple ingredients.
Where are Black Bear drinks made?
Black Bear Honey Co. is based in Berkshire, using honey from its own hives and other local British beekeepers.
What makes the drinks different?
Unlike many soft drinks, they are cold brewed for 24 hours and naturally sweetened with pure British honey instead of refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Are the drinks kombucha?
No. Black Bear's drinks are sparkling cold-brewed teas. They are not kombucha, mead or traditional iced tea.
Why did Stephen create Black Bear Honey Co.?
After giving up alcohol, Stephen wanted a sophisticated alcohol-free drink made with natural ingredients. His experience as a beekeeper and home brewer inspired him to create an entirely new style of sparkling tea.
What flavours are available?
The range includes Classic, Apple & Chamomile and Pear & Elderflower sparkling cold-brewed teas.
