Bavaria and Bavarian beer—our state is so closely associated with the hoppy brew that this connection has even been celebrated in song on multiple occasions. And not without good reason; after all, Germany’s oldest brewery and oldest wheat beer brewery are both located in Bavaria. But we also have stronger drinks, such as gentian schnapps. Here, too, we can consider ourselves pioneers in Germany, as the Grassl Gentian Brewery—the oldest production facility for this high-proof beverage—is also located in our state.
High in the Alps
Gentian grows almost exclusively in the mountains of the temperate climate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Berchtesgaden Alps. For schnapps production, the root is used, which can grow up to one meter long and weigh two kilograms and contains particularly high levels of starch and fructose. This is chopped up and mixed with yeast and mountain spring water before fermenting for six weeks. After distillation, the schnapps continues to mature in ashwood barrels.
In 1692, Joseph Clemens von Bayer granted the Grassl family the right to distill gentian schnapps. This marked the founding of the Grassl Gentian Distillery, which from then on harvested the mountain plants and processed them in this way. Initially, their products were popular mainly among the local population, but they eventually gained wider recognition thanks to the growing tourism around Lake Königssee. The business expanded and acquired other distilleries in Bavaria and Austria.
A visit to the Grassl Gentian Distillery
Today, the Grassl Gentian Distillery produces a wide variety of products from a diverse range of plant ingredients. It sources yellow gentian not only from the mountains but also cultivates it specifically on its own premises. Herbal liqueurs and gin complement and expand the portfolio.
You can learn more about the history of the Grassl Gentian Distillery and its production process during your visit to Unterau in the Berchtesgaden region. The tour will introduce you to the art of distillation and concludes with tastings of 40 different schnapps and liqueurs. Next to the museum is a shop where you can stock up. Here, holders of a guest card (which you receive whenever you stay overnight in Berchtesgaden) get a free 2-cl liqueur as a gift. You’ll find another shop in the old town of Berchtesgaden, where you can also sample the schnapps.
In addition, three of Grassl’s five distilleries are located in the Berchtesgadener Land, which you can discover on your hikes: one is on the Jenner, one at the foot of the Teufelshörner, and one at Funtensee. They are still in operation today. At the headquarters in Unterau, you’ll find a distillery museum that illustrates the processes taking place inside.
📍 Location: Grassl Gentian Distillery, Salzburgerstr. 105, 83471 Berchtesgaden
🕐 Opening hours:
- May through October: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- November through April: Mon–Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
