When you think of German alcohol, beer is the first drink that comes to mind. But when you’re looking for the darkest things, Jägermeister’s herbaceous digestive is the most popular German liqueur, especially abroad. Frat boys may know it as just one item on a Jägerbomb, but it’s actually perfectly fine to drink it on its own. Preferable, actually.
Read about Jägermeister’s very German liquor and take a factory tour in Wolfenbüttel, just outside Berlin. Here you will find everything you need to know to plan a visit and get to know Jägermeister.
Brief history of Jägermeister
The drink is the result of a man and his son and their ability to transform raw ingredients into one of the world’s favorite beverages.
Wilhelm Mast founded Jägermeister in 1878 as a wine wholesaler and vinegar factory. Her son, Curt, had a different idea. Taking the company of his father, he developed what became the delicious drink known as Jägermeister in 1934. It was publicly released in 1935, sometimes under the name Göring-Schnaps .
Today, Jägermeister is Germany’s leading herbal digestif and a major export. It is not limited to Germany, it has fans all over the world.
Jägermeister in Germany
Jägermeister’s name translates to “Master of the Hunt.” It records a respectable 35% alcohol by volume and is marked with a now iconic logo of a glowing cross between the antlers of a deer. This is a reference to the patron saint of hunters, Saint Hubertus, who had this same vision while hunting. This symbol is so popular that it adorns just about anything you can think of, from glassware to home decor and even tattoos for the most devoted fans.
The label also includes a verse from Oskar von Riesenthal’s Weidmannsheil,
This is the hunter’s shield of honor,
that he protects and cherishes his game,
hunts like a hunter,
as it should be
honors the Creator in the creature.
(It is the honor of the hunter who
protect and preserve your game,
Hunts, as a sportsman, honors the
Creator in His creatures).
The drink itself is thick and almost black in color. Those unfamiliar with the drink may think that this is not something you should put in your mouth. But the flavorful mix is actually quite drinkable. Made with a secret blend of 56 natural herbs and spices, it is a Kräuterlikör (herbal liqueur). Some of its components have been identified as citrus peels, licorice, saffron, ginger and juniper berries, but the rest is kept confidential. Despite persistent rumors, one of those ingredients is not deer blood.
These mysterious ingredients are finely ground, soaked in water and alcohol for 2-3 days, then filtered and stored in oak barrels for about a year. After this quiet time, the liquor is filtered again and mixed with sugar, caramel and water. Then it is filtered and bottled. To serve, this drink should be ice cold, ideally 0 ° F.
Traditionally in German culture, a digestif is an essential element for good health. After being stuffed with meat and potatoes (also known as good German food) a digestif is drunk to aid in digestion. Small digestive shots are still available on a bullet-type belt in some old-school bars and restaurants. Just watch the old ladies beckoning for a digestif . Who knew alcohol could be used to make you feel better? Germans.
Visit to the Jägermeister factory
Visitors can tour the place where Jägermeister is based in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, which is located about 200 km west of Berlin. Tours can be a 4.5-hour version that includes a city tour and lunch (organized by the Wolfenbuttel tourist information center) or simply involve a 1.5-hour tour of the Jägermeister factory. While you won’t discover all the secret ingredients, English or German guides take visitors through the production, herb cellar, and tasting.
Tickets cost 19.50 euros for groups of 10 to 30 people. Individual visits can also be arranged on the first day of the month from 10:30 AM Monday to Friday. Minimum age is 18 years.
Advance reservation is required, so email the Jagermeister Factory at [email protected] or fill out a request on their website.
There are also Jägermeister stores in the Altstadt to bring a little bit of Germany home. And if you can’t get to Wolfenbuttel, the legendary liquor can be bought at any grocery store.
