People of Glacier: Sam from La Golée

Some people naturally become part of the journey. Sam is one of them.

For the past few years, he's been part of the Glacier orbit: always happy to lend a hand, always up for an adventure, and more often than not, he shows up with a bottle of La Golée tucked under his arm. (Which, let's be honest, instantly improves any gathering.)

Between mountain days, bikes, a love for well-crafted products and a shared desire to create locally, we've realised we have quite a few things in common.

So we got curious. Who's the guy behind La Golée? Where did this slightly addictive fermented ginger drink come from? And why has it become a permanent fixture at so many of our apéros?

We sat down with Sam for a chat. It would've been a shame to keep his answers to ourselves.

Ciao Sam. At what point did you think: "You know what? I'm going to dedicate part of my life to bottling fermented ginger with local Fribourg honey."

I think it happened the same way as for many small brands that were born during Covid. At first, I was just making it for myself. Then friends started asking for bottles. Then they wanted bottles to give as gifts. Before I knew it, I was thinking about turning it into a real project.

Right around that time, I bumped into a longtime friend who was launching Moonlight Kombucha and looking for someone to share a production space with. It felt like the perfect sign to go for it.

Local honey is at the heart of La Golée. Why was it important for you to know exactly where your ingredients come from?

Because we're surrounded by incredibly talented people who deserve to be celebrated.

It's not just about the honey or the ginger. It's also about the people printing the labels, the graphic designers, local suppliers, photographers... all the craftsmanship behind the scenes.

I think that's something we really share with Glacier Optics: making products is one thing, but shining a light on the people and know-how behind them matters just as much.

We created a special edition with him — not as a product to sell, but as a way to share something unique with our partners, at aperos, and during special moments together.

A small edition made for good times, great conversations, and memories shared.

What's the least glamorous part of building your own brand?

Selling. No doubt about it.

What's one thing you'd never do, even if it meant selling a lot more bottles?

Partner with companies whose values are completely at odds with mine. 
Some shortcuts simply aren't worth taking.

What's the compliment that makes you happiest?

When someone tells me:
"I don't even like ginger... but I love La Golée."

That's always a good day.

Where do your best ideas come from: on a bike or on a mountain ridge?

Definitely in the mountains.
In fact, the original idea for La Golée came after a failed attempt to climb the Pigne d'Arolla.
Turns out not every summit has to be reached to lead somewhere interesting.

How do you recognise a brand with a soul? (Asking for a friend...)

A brand that's willing to stand by its principles.
Choosing not to source everything from Asia, even when it would be easier or cheaper, is one example. Decisions like that say a lot about what a brand actually stands for.

If La Golée were a Swiss peak, which one would it be?

That's a good one.
Maybe the Pigne d'Arolla, since that's where the whole story began.
Otherwise I'd pick something close to home, like La Berra. Or maybe a summit that's still on my list, like the Aiguille de l'Amône... or even the Weisshorn.

Sometimes drinking La Golée almost feels... healthy. Even though it's still alcohol. So, what's the official verdict?

Very healthy.
And if, by any chance, it's not healthy for your body... it's definitely healthy for your mind.

When was the last time you thought: "This is exactly why I started all this"

Whenever I find myself at an event surrounded by friends, good people, and a great atmosphere.
Those are the moments that remind me why I started this adventure in the first place.

S O M E   T H I N G S   J U S T   B E L O N G   T O G E T H E R  !

Great shades. Great drinks. One shared vision. This limited collaboration is a toast to our partners, friends, and everyone who's been with us from the start.