For Greater Aperitif Culture in Germany: Belsazar Vermouth

Four varieties of vermouth ranging from dry to full-bodied, a beguiling name and a mission to bring more aperitif culture to Germany: Introducing Belsazar Vermouth, the German vermouth.

Belsazar Vermouth arrived on the German bar scene almost precisely one year ago and is now looking to go international as a German vermouth. But what exactly makes Belsazar “German”? For that, we have to go back to the beginning. The Belsazar vermouth project was jointly initiated by Maximilian Wagner, formerly involved with Munich’s The Duke Gin, Sebastian Brack, founder of the Thomas Henry mixers and soft drinks brand, and Philipp Schladerer, CEO of the Obstbrennerei Schladerer fruit distillery in Germany’s Black Forest.

German wines as the basis

The Obstbrennerei Schladerer distillery is a family-run operation where this new German vermouth is produced. A regional aspect is important for Belsazar Vermouth, if not to say its very basis. It takes German wines to make German vermouth, and the wines for Belsazar come from Germany’s southern Baden region. The four varieties, Red, Rosé, White and Dry, are stored in stone vats and marketed from Berlin.

So much for the background then, but is Germany really ready for its very own “German vermouth”?
Maximilian Wagner speaks enthusiastically about the great response the four varieties have received in German Bars, and not just there. He explains, “We’ve only been on the market since last April and already we’re received very positive feedback on our vermouth from all sides. Even wine connoisseurs and sommeliers appreciate Belsazar, which seems almost implausible for vermouth. But we’ve been able to show them that we work with the characteristics of our wines, as opposed to simply burying them in the maceration process”.

Dry vermouth with tonic and sunshine

The only catch is that up to now this German aperitif has play a somewhat subdued role, but that’s set to change. With aperitifs as such consistently growing in popularity, Germany is ready for more. And the aperitif is also ready for more than its traditional, all too one-dimensional image as a “little nip” before dinner, particularly if proper credit is to be paid to the multifaceted characters of the four Belsazar Vermouths. Maximilian Wagner comes prepared with a couple of tips for a light midday drink in the sun or on warm, summer evenings, such as the Rose Martini with Belsazar Vermouth Rosé, gin and grapefruit. Maximilian himself is also a fan of Belsazar Vermouth Dry with tonic…nice and dry!

Rose Martini

40ml Belsazar Vermouth Rosé
40ml gin

Garnish:
Grapefruit zest