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TEG: Beer and whisky with more life and history


Technikum Extrakt Getränke (Technical Centre Extract Drinks) is the company’s full description. The force behind it is Lava Bräu, a small, excellent manufacturer of brewed and distilled drinks in the Styrian Vulkanland region. They are setting new benchmarks both in brewing and distilling. Carefully selected, organic ingredients and the close involvement in the production process create tasteful beers that are neither filtrated nor pasteurised.

Whisky mashes are also made in the brewery. Lava Bräu produced Austria’s first organic single malt and is breaking new ground in barrel maturation, for which white wine and red wine barrels from regional winegrowers are used, as well as cherrywood and mulberry wood barrels. Lava Bräu pays special attention to sustainability: the precious bottles are adorned with stoppers made by carpenters.

Bio-Brisky is a standalone product. Its manufacture is based firstly on processes from strong beer brewing, and secondly on traditional fruit brandy production, technologically optimised and adapted to suit the requirements of fine malt. It is whisky made according to the bourbon tradition and has been organic since 2012. After barrel maturation, over 60 per cent of the corn distillate is combined with volcanic well water and Single Malt Brisky. Since 2009, the fine whisky specialities have been distilled in a vacuum. This gentle handling of the mash ensures its unique fruitiness.

At the World Spirits Award, there was silver for Bio-Brisky, Bio-Whisky matured in rum barrels and Smokie Torfrauch Whisky.

Marder Edelbrände - Variations of Kirsch

Albbruck-Unteralpfen is a charming holiday resort in the Southern Black Forest, in the border region of Germany, France and Switzerland, and also the location of one of the best distilleries in the country. Stefan Marder continues his family's dedication to quality of old hand Edmund Marder.

The family business offers a range of over 40 products, all made bearing in mind the family's watchword "To attain nature's jewels with love and patience". The range of products is huge, the focus in on all possible variations of cherry, from the traditional Back Forest Kirsch to morello cherry, black cherry, wild cherry and cornel cherry and cuvee in cherry tree wood. Add to this pomaceous and stone fruit, wild fruit and marc. The brandies, which are also available in beautiful carafes, are known for their distinct, full aroma and fine, mild balance, something that is highly appreciated by his customers who are the famous names in the hospitality trade. Another speciality is the spirit line ranging from hazelnut to juniper and porcino - a sought-after and proven ingredient for creative cooking. Liqueurs made from homemade juices are another area in which the family excels. New paths in product development are embarked on with whisky, beer brandies and distillates from tropical fruits.

Seminars and distilling courses are part of the Fichtenhof programme, as are participations in international tastings, trade fairs and exhibitions, where the Marders seek inspiration and discussions with colleagues. For many years, Fichtenhof Marder has been ranked at the top of their game at different European awards. Products receiving highest marks confirm the company's quality.

The result at the World Spirits Award: 15th place overall as Master Class Distillery, with gold for morello cherry and silver for quince, cherry, blackberry, sloe and rowan berry.

Diageo – From London to the whole world

Approximately 33,000 employees are employed worldwide at Diageo, the market leader in premium spirits, with Smirnoff (vodka), Johnnie Walker (whiskey), J&B (Scotch whiskey), Baileys (liqueur), Captain Morgan (rum), Cuervo (tequila) and Tanqueray (gin), Guinness beer and branded wines. Production takes place all around the world: from Great Britain and Ireland, Italy, Spain and Africa, to the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, India and the Caribbean. The global corporation emerged in 1997 from the merger between Guinness and GrandMet. 180 markets around the world are handled from its London headquarters.

A lot of work and lots of attention to detail go into creating the in-depth product descriptions on Diageo’s website. Information and analysis is provided about issues ranging from detailed descriptions of the production down to the most minute ingredients. Finally, they are aware of the size of their company and also of their responsibilities as a supplier of alcoholic products. The name Diageo was also deliberately chosen – it represents their agenda. Put together from ‘dia’ (the Latin word for ‘day’) and ‘geo’ (the Greek word for ‘world’), it means that every day people are celebrating all over the world with products from their company. These products open up possibilities never dreamed of for special days and nights, marking special life events and even making the smaller things in life feel magical.

Participation in the World Spirits Award was magical: there was double gold for Tanqueray No. 10 (Spirit of the Year 2016), gold for Gordon’s London Dry Gin and Tanqueray London Dry Gin, as well as silver for Tanqueray Rangpur.

Limomacher: Regionally produced – socially labelled

Limomacher is a young Bregenz enterprise, according to their own definition “excellent in graphics, design, customer service, lemonade production, social involvement and coffee drinking”. However, a look at the brief biographies of the four-person team reveals quite a bit about their wide-ranging qualifications. All lemonades are produced regionally in Vorarlberg according to their own recipes. Short pathways right up until labelling – also labels for private customers and companies on request – reinforce sustainability, along with filling exclusively in glass bottles. The labelling, as well as the whole warehousing, are handled by Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg, a support organisation for people with disabilities. This is an indication that social thinking has been of great importance from the beginning.

At the beginning of 2018, the ‘Franz von Durst’ brand started in Spar shops, followed by the start-up shelf at Metro. The company developed a gin along with a tonic water for this purpose, as the first manufacturer in retailing that offers both as a one-stop shop. The gin that is also regionally produced goes perfectly with the tonic water and its animating and aromatic concept offers an exceptionally fruity drinking experience. Aside from the juniper base, five further botanicals play a role: angelica root provides a slight tanginess and supports the homogenous taste; orange peel is characterised by a range of aromatic substances and a fine hint of citrus; liquorice provides a complex sweetness with a slightly earthy note; elderberry has an intensive and refreshing taste; and hops gives it a special something.

“We are delighted that the Vorarlberg locals have received our gin so well and that we can expand step by step also into other provinces,” say the two young entrepreneurs.

At the World Spirits Award, gold was achieved by Franz von Durst Gin, and silver by Franz von Durst Dry Gin Wild.