🥃 Ostpreußischer Bärenfang
Sweet German spirit drink of alcohol and honey, often spiced: an EU protected name, from 30% ABV, at least 25 kg of honey per 100 l; the recipe comes from the former eastern German region.
Ostpreußischer Bärenfang is a sweet spirit drink made by dissolving honey in ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, often with cinnamon, vanilla or cloves. The name means "bear trap". It is a German EU protected name: at least 30% ABV and at least 25 kg of honey per 100 litres of finished drink.
Not a liqueur. The 2018 technical file places Bärenfang in the group "other spirit drinks" rather than among liqueurs. What sets it apart from other drinks in that group is a higher minimum strength, 30% ABV instead of 15%, and the honey: 25 kg per 100 l corresponds to about 18 litres. The extract must be at least 400 g per litre, and no caramel or colourings are added.
How it is made. Blossom honey is usually used: according to the technical file, honeydew honey can give a bitter note. The honey is dissolved in the alcohol, spices or lemon zest are added if desired, and the mixture is stirred and left for several days. The drink is then filtered, sometimes left to mature in a dark vessel, and diluted with water to drinking strength.
History. According to the technical file, Bärenfang has been known since the 15th century in households of the former eastern German region it is named after, then a province rich in brown bears and apiaries. There it was also called Petzfang or Meschkinnes, from the Lithuanian meška, "bear". At the end of the Second World War producers moved west and took the recipe with them; today Bärenfang is made throughout Germany.
Why it matters. Honey makes Bärenfang thick and sweet, but the strength remains at least 30% ABV, more than many liqueurs. The legend of the drunken bear is folklore, not advice. The WHO points out that no level of alcohol consumption is safe.
Facts
| Legal basis | EU protected name, PGI-DE-02013 (technical file of 24.07.2018) |
|---|---|
| EU category | other spirit drinks (not a liqueur) |
| Raw material | ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, honey (at least 25 kg per 100 l), optional spices and sugar |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 30% ABV; extract from 400 g/l |
| Minimum maturation | not required; terms such as alt after 6 months |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Ostpreußischer Bärenfang → kind of → 🍯 Honey spirit drinks → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Part of
- 🍯 Honey spirit drinks
- Related to
- 🌍 Central Europe
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Honey liqueur, 🥃 Krupnik
Frequently asked questions
Is Bärenfang a honey liqueur?
Not under EU law. The technical file places it among other spirit drinks, and it is stronger: at least 30% ABV.
How much honey is in Bärenfang?
At least 25 kg per 100 litres of finished drink, roughly 18 litres of honey.
What does the name Bärenfang mean?
Bear trap. Legend has it that villagers lured a bear with the honey drink and carried off the intoxicated animal.
Where is Ostpreußischer Bärenfang made today?
Throughout Germany, to traditional recipes: producers moved west at the end of the Second World War.
Why does Bärenfang turn cloudy in the cold?
The honey in it crystallises, so it should not be stored too cold; the drink can be clear or cloudy.
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.
- 🥃 Honey liqueur — A liqueur in which honey gives sweetness and aroma: under EU rules at least 15% vol. and 100 g/l of sugars; examples are krupnik, Canarian ronmiel and German Bärenfang.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Ronmiel de Canarias · 🥃 Bayerischer Bärwurz · 🥃 Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian · 🥃 Homokhátság peach pálinka (Homokháti őszibarack pálinka) · 🥃 Damassine · 🥃 Samanė
⚠️ 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
- eAmbrosia: Ostpreußischer Bärenfang, PGI-DE-02013, technical file submitted 24.07.2018 (BMEL; interested party BSI) — category 'other spirit drinks'; ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin flavoured with honey, optionally herbs/spices (cinnamon, vanilla, clove, lemon peel); min. 30 % vol. (vs 15 % for the category); extract min. 400 g/l; honey min. 25 kg per 100 l (c. 18 l); no caramel or colourings; blossom honey preferred (honeydew may be bitter); not to be stored too cold (honey crystallises); made in households of Ostpreußen since the 15th century; names Petzfang, Meschkinnes (Lithuanian meška, bear); producers moved west at the end of WWII, now made throughout Germany; bilateral agreements of the 1960s (Switzerland, France, Greece, Spain); ageing terms only after min. 6 months
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Germany — Ostpreußischer Bärenfang (other spirit drinks)
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I as adopted (legislation.gov.uk): cat. 33 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l in general); cat. 44 honey nectar or mead nectar (min. 22 %, sweetened only with honey)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)