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Albert Büchele – Reliability, Vorarlberg-style

“We have been farmers for generations”, says Albert Büchele from the Michelehof, which has been based in Hard at Lake Constance since 1838. The name of the estate is based on the name Michael since his great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were both called ‘Michel’. Today, the estate looks rather different with the focus being on fruit processing instead of animal husbandry and dairy farming. Plenty of input and commitment and a friendly sense of persistence regularly bring the highest possible accolades for this ‘stuff which dreams are made of’.

The diverse product range focuses on apples and pears and the fruit of the region – the Subirer pear – has become the company logo, based on the star-shaped flower of the fruit trees. Brandies full of character are made from the various types of stone fruits, berries and wild fruits and Albert Büchele has a particular passion for maturing distillates in wooden casks. A great deal of love and care has gone into the redesign of the building: since 2006, the architecturally successful structure has incorporated plenty of wood, solidity and style – not forgetting the expressive and well-balanced products made here. And little wonder, as harmony within the family and across the estate have long been the recipe for success. The future development of the Michelehof is certainly cause for great excitement.

The World Class Distillery 2017 received double gold for Cigar Cuvée, gold for Subirer Reserve, rose hip and grape brandy (barrel-aged), and silver for orange blossom muscatel brandy and damson brandy (barrel-aged).

Gin of Hearts: Social project as a homage to Ghana

The former German national football team player Gerald Asamoah launched a gin project in autumn 2021 along with Michaela Habbel and his friends Timo Marner and Jens Conrad. The name Gin FOURTEEN is a reference to Gerald’s jersey number 14, which has a great significance for him. Due to his professional career, especially at FC Schalke and as a football manager, Gerald Asamoah feels a close bond with the Ruhr region. He wasn’t actually a gin drinker, but he came into contact with the subject through a thank-you project for donations to his foundation for children with heart conditions. The foundations of Gin FOURTEEN were laid back then and positive feedback led to the idea of making it accessible to a wider public.

The production avoids artificial aromas and additives, using ingredients from responsible and sustainable cultivation. Mango and papaya are typical fruits for Gerald Asamoah’s home country of Ghana – the gin is a homage to his homeland and Africa. It is made at the Heinrich Habbel Distillery in the southern Ruhr region. Every bottle supports social projects, including the ‘my Boo Ghana School e.V.’, which enables children in the Ashanti region to attend school and was created by staff at my Boo GmbH, which along with the Yonso Project in Ghana makes bamboo bicycles in Ghana and Kiel.

MBG International Premium Brands – Brands with added value

“We Love Liquids.” This slogan has accompanied MBG on its worldwide path of success since it was founded in 1993 under the name P.O.S. Marketing + Vertrieb GmbH: Strong brands have been established around the world in nearly 60 countries, with innovative own brands, renowned retail brands, great ideas and a lot of energy. With over 250 employees, the MBG Group currently generates over € 200 million and, every year, more than a million hectolitres are produced. The portfolio in Germany includes 12 own brands and 6 retail brands (from non-alcoholic drinks to low proof drinks to wines & spirits) for 90,000 customers.

“Our recipe for successful brands is the mixture of passion, conviction and knowledge of the market. If all goes well, names and products become new worlds which consumers love. Success is not always predictable, which means that courage is needed above all. The right moment has to be found and hard work put in, just like with a hit single: some are one hit wonders while others become classics.” Little can be added to this definition from Managing Director Andreas W. Herb. From the MBG Group headquarters in Paderborn, a great deal of expertise makes successful brands, tailored to the respective target group and the market segment. Many brands that are well known on shop shelves and in the gastronomy sector have played a role in the history of the company.

Participation in the World Spirits Award yielded gold for Dos Mas Nasty Nuts Shot.