Abtshof Magdeburg

Abtshof Magdeburg GmbH is a German spirits producer based in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt. The company traces its origins to 1924, when the Hegemann family from Niederemmel-Piesport founded "Abtshof" as a subsidiary of their Marienhof winery on the grounds of the former Buckau steam brewery Reichardt & Schneidewin. Initially a sales branch for wines, it began producing spirits such as liqueurs and brandies in 1928. After being heavily damaged in a 1944 air raid, the operation was rebuilt from 1945 and became state-owned (Volkseigentum) in 1951, producing wines and spirits. At its peak it produced and shipped 11.4 million bottles annually, including the popular semi-sweet red liqueur wine "Basta". Until 1990 it was part of the Kombinat Spirituosen, Wein und Sekt. Following German reunification, the company was privatised in 1992 as Abtshof Magdeburg GmbH through the efforts of the Nissenbaum entrepreneurial family from Konstanz, the Familie-Nissenbaum-Stiftung, and a management buy-out. A new high-performance bottling and packaging line was commissioned in 1997. Today the company produces exclusively spirits for the national and international market. It is best known for its Absinth 66 brand, launched after absinthe was legalised in 1998; the product is bottled in a pharmacist-style bottle with elaborate tin labelling and a seal guaranteeing authenticity. The portfolio also includes traditional East German products such as Abtshof Goldbrand and Magdeburger Klarer, as well as gins, herbal spirits, vodkas (including Nisskosher Vodka and Jakob Haberfeld Vodka), liqueurs and gift sets. Since 1993 Abtshof has also produced kosher spirits, the first from Germany. The company has been led since 1992 by Gerhard Mette and Gideon Nissenbaum. It received the Großer Preis des Mittelstandes in 1998, and its products have been DLG-awarded annually since 2003. In 2024 it received the Goldene Stadtplakette of Magdeburg for its 100th anniversary, and in 2025 its "Aechter Brocken-Kräuter-Liqueur" was named "Beste Spirituose 2025" in the herbal liqueur category by the DLG. Abtshof is an honorary ambassador of the city of Magdeburg and hosts the Magdeburg Circus Museum on its premises.

The history of Abtshof dates back to 1924, when the Hegemann entrepreneurial family from Niederemmel-Piesport founded the subsidiary "Abtshof" on the grounds of the former 1. Buckauer Dampfbierbrauerei "Reichardt & Schneidewin". It served as a branch of the "Marienhof" winery, distributing its products. In 1928, Abtshof began producing spirits such as liqueurs and brandies. In 1944, an air raid destroyed 70% of the company. Despite considerable war damage, reconstruction began in 1945. After production resumed, the company became state-owned (Volkseigentum) in 1951 and produced wines and spirits. At its peak, it produced and shipped 11.4 million bottles annually, including numerous wine brandies and liqueurs as well as the very popular wine variety "Basta" (a semi-sweet red liqueur wine). Until 1990, the operation was part of the Kombinat Spirituosen, Wein und Sekt. After German reunification, privatisation to Abtshof Magdeburg GmbH took place in 1992 through the combined efforts of the Nissenbaum entrepreneurial family from Konstanz, the Familie-Nissenbaum-Stiftung, and a management buy-out from Magdeburg. In 1997, a new high-performance bottling and packaging line was commissioned. The company's best-known product is "Absinth 66". The drink, banned since 1923 as a "devil's drink" and "green fairy", entered Abtshof's range after its legalisation in 1998. Absinth 66 is bottled in a pharmacist's bottle and provided with elaborate tin labelling and a seal that guarantees authenticity. Since 1993, the company has also produced kosher spirits, the first from Germany. In 1998, Abtshof received the Großer Preis des Mittelstandes, and its products have been DLG-awarded annually since 2003. The company has been led since 1992 by Gerhard Mette and Gideon Nissenbaum. On 18 November 2009, Gerhard Mette was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse for his outstanding commitment in business and for his activities promoting cultural, sporting and social institutions. Abtshof is an honorary ambassador of the city of Magdeburg. In August, on Mette's initiative, the Magdeburg Circus Museum opened in the entrepreneur's villa of Rudolf Wolf's machine factory on the company's grounds. In December 2024, for its 100th anniversary, the company received the Goldene Stadtplakette of the state capital Magdeburg. In 2025, the DLG awarded Abtshof's "Aechter Brocken-Kräuter-Liqueur" as "Beste Spirituose 2025" in the herbal liqueur category.

• 2025

  Aechter Brocken-Kräuter-Liqueur named Best Spirit 2025 by DLG.

• 2024

  Received Goldene Stadtplakette for 100th anniversary.

• 2009

  Gerhard Mette awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse.

• 2003

  Products have been DLG-awarded annually since this year.

• 1998

  Absinth 66 launched after absinthe legalisation; received Großer Preis des Mittelstandes.

• 1997

  New high-performance bottling and packaging line commissioned.

• 1993

  Began producing kosher spirits, the first from Germany.

• 1992

  Privatised as Abtshof Magdeburg GmbH through Nissenbaum family, foundation, and management buy-out.

• 1990

  Until this year part of the Kombinat Spirituosen, Wein und Sekt.

• 1951

  Became state-owned (Volkseigentum).

• 1945

  Reconstruction began after the war.

• 1944

  70% destroyed in an air raid.

• 1928

  Began production of spirits such as liqueurs and brandies.

• 1924

  Founded as a subsidiary of the Marienhof winery by the Hegemann family.

Traditional German spirits producer with a focus on absinthe and regional East German specialties.

• Absinth 66

  Flagship absinthe, bottled in a pharmacist-style bottle with tin labelling and seal.

• Abtshof Goldbrand

  Traditional East German brandy.

• Magdeburger Klarer

  Traditional clear spirit from Magdeburg.

• Nisskosher Vodka

  Kosher vodka.

• Jakob Haberfeld Vodka

  Vodka brand.

• Aechter Brocken-Kräuter-Liqueur

  Herbal liqueur, awarded Best Spirit 2025 by DLG.

1. 1Abtshof Startseite – Abtshof Magdeburgabtshof.de
2. 2Abtshof Magdeburg - Über unsabtshof.de
3. 3Abtshof Magdeburgde.wikipedia.org
4. 4Abtshof Magdeburgwikidata.org