🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian
Bavarian distillate of fermented gentian roots from the Alps and foothills; protected EU geographical indication, at least 40 % vol., not flavoured.
Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian (Bavarian mountain gentian spirit) is a clear distillate of fermented gentian roots from Bavaria. It is a protected EU geographical indication in the gentian category: the spirit may not be flavoured, and its strength, according to the Bavarian description, is at least 40 % vol. Production is allowed in Upper Bavaria and Swabia.
Protected name. “Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian” was already listed among German geographical indications in the gentian category in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008; today the name is entered in the eAmbrosia register under Regulation (EU) 2019/787. The general EU requirement for gentian spirit is at least 37.5 % vol., with no flavourings.
Raw material and production. Four gentian species are suitable: yellow, purple, spotted and pannonian gentian, the most common in the Berchtesgaden region. The roots are dug from August to October, chopped and fermented with yeast and mountain water for about ten days at 30 °C. Then come double distillation, careful separation of heads and tails, and several years in ash-wood casks.
History. At the start of the 17th century, the Berchtesgaden provosts granted the Grassl family the right to dig gentian roots and distil them. In 1690, according to the Bavarian description, Thomas Grassl dug 50 to 100 kg of roots a day for ten weeks. After secularisation in 1803 sales stopped, and in 1842 the rights of Franz Grassl were restored.
Why it matters to you. The bitter taste of gentian spirit comes from the roots, not from sugar or flavourings, which are not allowed. The tradition of drinking it after a heavy meal does not make it healthy: it is a strong spirit of at least 40 % vol. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | gentian (category 18 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787); geographical indication |
|---|---|
| Raw material | fermented roots of gentian: yellow, purple, spotted, pannonian |
| Distillation method | double distillation with separation of heads and tails |
| Cask type | ash-wood casks |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | at least 40 % vol. according to the Bavarian description (EU minimum for gentian is 37.5 %) |
| Year founded | tradition from the early 17th century (Grassl family, Berchtesgaden) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian → similar → 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it contains
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🌼 Gentian spirit
- Related to
- 🌍 Central Europe
- Similar and different
- 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits, 🥃 Genziana trentina
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that gentian spirit is good for digestion?
No. Such a claim is banned on EU drinks above 1.2 % vol.; this is a strong spirit of at least 40 % vol.
Which gentian is used for Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian?
The roots of yellow, purple, spotted and pannonian gentian, which are dug from August to October.
Can gentian spirit be flavoured?
No. Under Regulation (EU) 2019/787 gentian is not flavoured; the EU minimum strength is 37.5 % vol.
Who historically made Bavarian gentian spirit?
The Grassl family from Berchtesgaden, who from the early 17th century had the right to dig roots and distil them.
How is Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian aged?
According to the Bavarian description, for several years in ash-wood casks in mountain cellars.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌍 Central Europe — Curd cheese (quark), cheeses and butter in peasant cooking.
- 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits — Bitter spirits: bitters from 15% vol.; gentian is a distillate of gentian root; bitter liqueurs are sweeter.
- 🥃 Genziana trentina — Distillate of fermented yellow gentian roots from Trento province: EU PGI, at least 40% ABV, at least 10 kg of dried roots per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
Similar
🥃 Genziana trentina · 🥃 Bayerischer Bärwurz · 🥃 Bayerischer Blutwurz · 🥃 Chiemseer Klosterlikör · 🥃 Hrvatski pelinkovac · 🥃 Homokhátság peach pálinka (Homokháti őszibarack pálinka)
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- GenussErbe Bayern (Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry): Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian — Gentiana lutea, purpurea, punctata, pannonica; roots dug Aug–Oct, ~10 days fermentation at 30 °C, double distillation, ash-wood casks; min. 40 %; Upper Bavaria and Swabia; Grassl family from early 17th c., 1690, 1803, 1842
- eAmbrosia — EU geographical indications register: Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian (EUGI00000015411), spirit drink, Germany
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Germany — Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian (18. Gentian), Bayerischer Kräuterlikör and Blutwurz (32. Liqueur), Bärwurz (Other spirit drinks)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 13 beer spirit (direct distillation of fresh beer < 86 %, min. 38 %, no flavouring, sweetening ≤ 20 g/l), cat. 18 gentian (min. 37.5 %, not flavoured), cat. 33 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l in general)
- Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims, Art. 4(3): no health claims on beverages over 1.2 % vol.
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)