Hobby Farmer 2023: Makers Of Award Winning Switchel!

In a world where wellness and vitality are paramount, Jeff Cerise, the Co-Founder at Hobby Farmer, emerges as a pioneer in the quest for a healthier lifestyle. At the helm of the transformative Hobby Farmer Switchel, Cerise introduces a beverage that transcends the ordinary, a concoction meticulously crafted to invigorate, soothe, and nourish. This all-natural pre-biotic elixir is a symphony of flavors and benefits, blending Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Ginger Juice, pure Clover Honey, and the pristine waters of Minnesota. As we delve into the story behind Hobby Farmer Switchel, we uncover a drink that not only replaces electrolytes but also serves as a pH balancer, a kidney and liver cleanser, and a powerhouse of health with the added goodness of Turmeric, Cinnamon, and Cayenne. Join Delivery Rank on a journey of well-being as we explore the unique fusion of taste and wellness curated by Jeff Cerise and his team at Hobby Farmer.

Can you share the story behind the creation of Hobby Farmer Switchel? What inspired you to develop this unique beverage?

I’d been making Switchel for myself since 1976 when I was a budding young musician. My mom taught me how to use it to heal sore throats, and I drank it for general well being while traveling on the road with a rock band in the late 70’s through the 80’s. In 2017 I decided to scale up my recipe for a side hustle food and beverage business we were launching and it quickly became our best seller. Since we launched in September of 2018 we’ve produced over 300,000 cans of our Switchel Fizz.

Switchel is an ancient beverage with a modern twist. How did you come up with the idea to infuse it with ingredients like Turmeric, Cinnamon, and Cayenne for added health benefits?

I was always experimenting with my Switchel recipes and as I scaled up the recipes I knew I wanted some distinct flavors that not only tasted great, but had unique health benefits from each spice as well. Turmeric was chosen because of its amazing anti-inflammatory properties and when used in the correct proportions gave the Switchel a wonderful yellow color with a crisp, sweet and tart flavor all at once. Cinnamon is a calming spice, a great cancer fighter and curbs sugar cravings. It's our biggest seller after the leaves change color and we head into the winter months, and Cayenne is simply amazing for fighting colds and flu, sore throats and it gets your metabolism going. It’s not fire breathing hot but just enough spice to make it interesting and unique.

Hobby Farmer Switchel is described as a pre-biotic beverage. Could you explain the science behind this and how it benefits our digestive health?

Correct, a “pre-biotic” means the ingredients in Switchel feed the good bacteria that already exist in your gut biome. Unlike a “pro-biotic” it doesn’t add millions of new bacteria to your gut like kombucha, yogurt, or a Kefir…Switchel has been used for centuries for gut health, is considered a liver and kidney cleanse, and gives you natural energy, electrolytes, lowers blood sugar and has anti-inflammatory properties as well. There are many reasons why this beverage was used throughout the 17th and 18th centuries by hard working people in this country and abroad.

In a market saturated with energy drinks and health beverages, how does Hobby Farmer Switchel stand out, and what unique value does it bring to consumers?

Hobby Farmer Switchel is a unique beverage that stands out from other energy drinks by being “all natural” with no artificial ingredients, preservatives, caffeine, or artificial sweeteners. It stands out from other Switchels in particular by offering almost twice the amount of apple cider vinegar than other Switchels on the market. To balance this out I’ve had to add more honey and organic ginger juice to balance out the flavor creating not only a super healthy beverage but one that has a punchy tart and sweet flavor that isn’t watered down. I’ve also carbonated our Switchel “Fizz” to appeal to a wider audience as a replacement for sugary sodas and tonics. It’s a crisp and refreshing drink that simply makes you feel good after you drink it. Switchel has no lingering artificial sweetener aftertaste like a lot of the other energy drinks on the market and a lot of people prefer the taste of it to Kombucha.

Hobby Farmer Switchel seems to appeal to a wide range of consumers, from athletes looking for an energy boost to health-conscious individuals. How do you tailor your marketing and messaging to reach these diverse target audiences effectively?

We like to remind our customers how versatile this beverage really is. Heath and Wellness is a message that resonates with everyone post pandemic. People are looking for functional beverages that aren’t just “empty calories? Our HF Switchel can be used as a sophisticated Mocktail by simply pouring over the rocks and adding some citrus, mint or rosemary, or as a Craft Cocktail mixer that’s half the calories of a Ginger Ale and about a third of the calories of most Ginger Beers on the market. It can be warmed and served as a hot toddy resembling a hot cider, or worked into recipes for sauces, and marinades for cooking.

I was recently asked to come up with a signature Cocktail for the 2023 Julia Child Award Gala honoring Chef Sean Sherman from the famous “Owamni by the Sioux Chef” restaurant in Minneapolis. I created the “Switchel Mezcal Moon” for the event by adding a smoky Mezcal and Grand Marnier to a shaker, poured over the rocks and topped off with our HF Cayenne Switchel Fizz. A slice of Jalepeno, mint leaf and dash of salt topped off the cocktail which was enjoyed by all of the attendees during the cocktail hour.  

If you would like to find out more about Hobby Farmer, visit https://www.hobbyfarmerfoods.com/