Wilhelm Kisker GmbH

Wilhelm Kisker GmbH, commonly known as Kisker-Brennereien, is a German spirits producer headquartered in Halle (Westfalen) in the Ostwestfalen region. Founded in 1732 by Johann Anton Kisker, it ranks among the 30 oldest family-owned businesses in Germany and has remained family-run for eight generations. The company is currently led by managing director Cornelius Kisker, who represents the eighth generation; ownership is shared with two of his brothers through a joint holding company. The distillery's main production and logistics site is located in the Künsebeck district of Halle, on the southern slope of the Teutoburger Wald, with over 20,000 m² of production and logistics space as of 2020. Kisker produces a range of quality spirits, including traditional Korn (grain spirit), Wacholder (juniper spirit), herbal liqueurs, soft liqueurs, and vodka. Notable products include Kisker Wacholder (32% vol.), Haller Baum (38% vol.), Englisch Bittern (32% vol.), Fürstenhöfer Steinhäger (38% vol.), Vodka Rodina (40% vol.), Kisker Boonekamp (42% vol.), and Silver Tree London Dry Gin (41.5% vol.). Many products, such as Englisch Bittern, receive annual DLG (German Agricultural Society) awards. The company also owns the subsidiary Brennerei Zum Fürstenhof Robert H. Günther, one of the few distilleries still producing Steinhäger traditionally. Kisker-Brennereien is deeply rooted in the Ostwestfalen region and emphasizes responsible alcohol consumption. The company sponsors local sports, including the ATP tennis tournament in Halle (Noventi Open) and DSC Arminia Bielefeld since 2020. It also has a fan club with over 200 members nationwide, established in 1998. With a history spanning more than 290 years, Kisker combines traditional distillation methods with modern production facilities.

The Wilhelm Kisker GmbH, also known as Kisker-Brennereien, was founded in 1732 by Johann Anton Kisker (1705–1752) in the Westphalian town of Halle. A ledger bound in pigskin, containing the founder's first entries, still exists today. The company received its current name from Wilhelm Kisker (1781–1856) in the third generation. In the fifth generation, Eduard Kisker (1850–1926) led the business. For eight generations, the Kisker-Brennereien have been producers of quality spirits. In 1979, a new production and storage center was built in the Künsebeck industrial area, which has been expanded several times over the years. Here, all products are made according to traditional methods and filled, packaged, and commissioned on modern equipment. The current managing director, Cornelius Kisker, had already planned and built the present facility in Künsebeck in 1978/79 while working outside the company. He joined the firm full-time in 1986 as authorized signatory, became an additional managing director in 1993, and has been the sole managing partner since 2003. Alongside Cornelius Kisker, two of his brothers are owners of Wilhelm Kisker through a joint holding company. Since 1993, the plant has been expanded in several construction phases, most recently in 2020, and supplemented by a logistics complex operated by an external freight forwarder. Currently, over 20,000 m² of production and logistics space is available in the halls. The company is one of the 30 oldest family-owned businesses in Germany and, over 290 years after its founding, employs approximately 49 commercial and industrial staff. The product range includes traditional products such as Korn, Wacholder, and herbal liqueurs, as well as soft liqueurs and vodka. Many products, for example Englisch Bittern, are awarded DLG prizes annually. The company also owns the subsidiary Brennerei Zum Fürstenhof Robert H. Günther, one of the few distilleries that still traditionally produces Steinhäger, which may only be distilled in Steinhagen. Kisker-Brennereien has been a sponsor of the ATP tournament in Halle (officially Noventi Open) since its beginning. Since 2020, the distillery has been part of the DSC Arminia Bielefeld Sponsors Club and advertises with its products on the midfield plane at every home game in the SchücoArena. Since 1998, the Kisker-Brennereien have had a fan club with over 200 members from all parts of Germany.

• 2020

  Latest expansion of the plant completed; joined DSC Arminia Bielefeld Sponsors Club.

• 2003

  Cornelius Kisker became sole managing partner.

• 1998

  Fan club established with over 200 members.

• 1993

  Cornelius Kisker became an additional managing director; plant expansion began.

• 1986

  Cornelius Kisker joined the company full-time as authorized signatory.

• 1979

  New production and storage center built in the Künsebeck industrial area.

• 1732

  Founded by Johann Anton Kisker in Halle (Westfalen).

Traditional family-owned distillery producing premium quality spirits with a heritage of over 290 years, rooted in Ostwestfalen.

• Kisker Wacholder

  Juniper spirit, 32% vol.

• Haller Baum

  Herbal liqueur, 38% vol.

• Englisch Bittern

  Bitter liqueur, 32% vol., annually DLG-awarded.

• Fürstenhöfer Steinhäger

  Traditional Steinhäger, 38% vol., produced by subsidiary Brennerei Zum Fürstenhof Robert H. Günther.

• Vodka Rodina

  Vodka, 40% vol.

• Kisker Boonekamp

  Bitter, 42% vol.

• Silver Tree London Dry Gin

  London Dry Gin, 41.5% vol.

1. 1Startseite | Kisker Brennereienkisker-brennereien.de
2. 2Geschichte | Kisker Brennereienkisker-brennereien.de
3. 3Wilhelm Kisker GmbH - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Wilhelm Kisker - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org