This interview is with Erin Hendricks, President and Owner at Sammy’s Milk.

Erin Hendricks, President and Owner, Sammy’s Milk

Erin, welcome to Brewmasters.io! We're thrilled to have a milk expert like yourself. Could you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey that led you to become passionate about milk?

At Sammy’s Milk, our journey started from a very personal place—my own struggle with providing the best nutrition for my daughter. Like any parent, I wanted nothing but the best for her, but I found myself frustrated by the existing products on the market. Everything I tried was rejected by her body or was laden with ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce, not to mention the questionable sources of some nutrients like DHA, which were often extracted using harsh chemicals.

That’s when I turned to goat milk, known for its digestibility and nutritional closeness to human milk. After extensive consultation with pediatricians, we crafted a formula that combined the natural goodness of whole goat milk with carefully selected fats and carbohydrates to mimic mother’s milk as closely as possible. We sourced ingredients like hormone-free goat milk, wild fish oil for DHA, and non-GMO molasses for sweetness and iron—all chosen to ensure purity and support ethical farming practices.

This wasn’t just about creating a product; it was about setting a new standard in infant nutrition, driven by integrity and a commitment to excellence. This story resonates deeply with mothers from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of trust and understanding. It’s a testament to how personal struggles can transform into solutions that support and nourish a diverse community of families.

Your path in the world of milk is fascinating. Could you elaborate on a pivotal moment or experience that solidified your expertise in this field?

I think that was really in the very early stages of making Sammy’s Milk. My own daughter was requiring many modifications to her diet, and I was searching for an alternative. I can remember visiting farms and trying to decide what to buy in goat milk until I discovered one farmer keeping goats so humanely and sustainably.

Seeing those goats out enjoying themselves—my eyes lit up instantly. Not only did this experience validate my decision to make use of goat milk in our formula, but it also helped shape our efforts to source ingredients that were ethical and natural. That really opened my eyes to how important it was to find partners that shared our vision.

Milk sourcing is crucial for both quality and ethics. Can you provide an actionable tip for brewers on how to choose the best milk for their brews while ensuring ethical sourcing practices?

I’d recommend first scouting for providers that are certified, such as Certified Humane®. It’s not a sticker; it’s your promise that the milk was processed in facilities with the best animal-welfare practices. This kind of sourcing exhibits a level of care for quality and sustainability, which is much more relevant to today’s consumers.

And now for another piece of advice—know your vendors inside and out. Stop by the farms, see the farmers, hear the details. You read about standards and certifications; you see them put into practice. You’ll have a great head start on this practical experience that’ll give you both a good dose of confidence and an interesting backstory about your beer production. It strikes customers when they see the product they buy from a business that cares about sustainability and how animals are treated.

Also, it lets you keep a transparent dialogue with your suppliers so you always receive the highest-quality milk for your brews.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

It’s important to never stop innovating and questioning how we can do things better. In the world of nutrition, especially when it involves children, there’s always more to learn and ways to improve.

We continuously explore how the latest research can inform our product development, always aiming to deliver the best to our customers. Keeping this curious and open-minded approach is what helps us stay at the forefront of our field, ensuring that Sammy’s Milk isn’t just a product, but a promise of quality and care.