Can I Get a DUI for Drinking Kombucha Tea?

Don’t Drink Kombucha Tea & Drive

In the past five years, kombucha tea has taken the US market by storm for its reported health benefits and flavor. This fermented beverage is made with yeast, sugar, bacteria and black or green tea, which sound like innocent ingredients, but when combined and fermented, they produce a recipe for potential disaster if you get behind the wheel afterward. The fermentation process produces traces of alcohol, sometimes upwards of two or three percent by volume. Thus, if you’re a kombucha fan, make sure to enjoy this beverage with caution. It’s important to note that store-bought kombucha is required by federal law to contain 0.5% or less of alcohol by volume. However, homemade kombucha tea can contain more alcohol which many people aren’t aware of until after they drink it, meaning you could risk a DUI if you’re not careful. Factors that may lead to a possible DUI after consuming kombucha include:

• Your alcohol tolerance
• Underlying medical conditions and sensitivities
• How much food you ate that day
• Your gender, height and weight
• The amount of kombucha tea you drank

The primary issue is that people claim they don’t “feel anything” after drinking kombucha. While that may be true, breathalyzer tests are notoriously defective and inaccurate. Considering that mouthwash, medicine and acid reflux, among other unsuspecting factors, could give a false reading, kombucha tea is no exception. If you get pulled over on suspicion of DUI and you take a breathalyzer test, the results could deem you intoxicated. Luckily, Harley Wagner has over 600 hours of DUI defense training and over 22 years of experience helping West Virginia clients resolve their DUI accusations. As such, it’s in your best interests to turn to West Virginia’s only law firm that focuses exclusively on DUI defense, The Wagner Law Firm.

Call (304) 461-6000 to set up your free initial consultation!