Vinegar and Combucha - What's the Difference?

Vinegar is acetic acid producing bacteria, not lactic acid producing bacteria. Acetic acid just tastes and or smells at least very different to us. The mother or whatever that you're getting from the facory has been very carefully monitored by the company for any signs of microbiological contamination. You don't have that same ability at home. So i just wouldn't risk it past three generations or so.