Guide to Steinhager: Germany’s Answer to Dutch Jenever
The Steinhager is a Dutch jenever that is manufactured in the Westphalia region of Germany, which shares a border with Belgium and Holland.
As a consequence of proximity and cultural assimilation, the Germans initiated the production of a distillate akin to Jenever; nevertheless, its success and distribution were not as extensive.
The historical record of Steinhager commenced with the issuance of an exclusive license to produce a distillate infused with juniper berries by Frederick William of Brandenburg in 1688.
Steinhager Distilleries: Preserving Tradition
Following the edict, twenty distilleries emerged, of which only two remain at present: Schilichte, established in 1766, and Furstenhofer, which is under the ownership of BrennereiKisker and was established in 1732.
Its production method is restricted due to the European Community’s protection of its own “appelation” since 1989.
The Unique Production of Steinhager
Similar processes are utilized in the manufacture of other products of this category.
A fermented product is typically obtained during the initial distillation through the desalting process of a mélange comprising wheat, barley, and rye.
These and the quantity of juniper differ between recipes. Following their exclusive cultivation in the Teutoburg Forest, the grapes impart flavor to the redistilled alcohol.
The subtlety of gin’s presence more closely resembles that of a Jenever.
Steinhager, on the other hand, continues to utilize the traditional terracotta container, in contrast to the latter, which opted for a more practicable glass bottle. In general, Steinhager is marketed with an approximate alcohol content of 38 degrees.
