Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG (Gerolsteiner) is a leading German mineral water firm with its seat in Gerolstein in the Eifel mountains. The firm is well known for its Gerolsteiner Sprudel brand, a bottled, naturally carbonated mineral water. Gerolsteiner was also the chief sponsor of Team Gerolsteiner a cycling team.
History
On 1 January 1888 the mine manager, Wilhelm Castendyck, founded the firm, Gerolsteiner Sprudel, as a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) in Gerolstein. Its first well was drilled in the same year. By November, the water from the well had become a sort of 'official' water of the city. It was popular because of its high amount of natural carbonic acid. In 1889, its star-and-lion symbol was trademarked. By 1895, the water was being exported to Australia.
Brunnen table water supplied water to Buckingham Palace during the reign of Queen Victoria.[1]
The first exports of Gerolsteiner to the United States started in 1890, primarily to Chicago, known for its high concentration of German emigrants. Having been interrupted by World War I, U.S. shipments resumed in 1928.[2]