Schulze Rötering Brennerei is a family-run distillery located in Ahlen (Münsterland, Germany), documented on the historic Hof Schulze Rötering estate, whose origins trace back to the 14th century (first mentioned c. 1340; recorded again in 1498). Spirits production on the estate began in 1767, and the distillery is now operated by the 6th and 7th generation of the Schulze Rötering family.
The company is known for controlling the entire production chain of its grain spirits: instead of purchasing wheat on the global market, the distillery uses exclusively its own wheat grown on the family estate. This allows full oversight of cultivation, harvest, and processing before distillation.
A distinguishing technical feature is the distillery’s column still with 60 bubble plates (“Glockenböden”) and a 19.7-meter distillation tower, described as unique within Germany. During distillation, only the “heart cut” is retained- approximately 60% of the purified alcohol – resulting in a 96.3% neutral spirit with minimal congeners, used as the base for the company’s Korn, spirits, aquavits, and liqueurs.
Schulze Rötering produces small-batch spirits, each batch existing only once in its exact composition. The company has been repeatedly recognized at the “World Spirits Award”, including distinctions such as “World Class Distillery” and “Distillery of the Year” (2019).
Beyond distillation, the estate continues to operate as an agricultural farm producing wheat, rapeseed, asparagus, and strawberries. The historical moated farmstead also hosts a farm shop, seasonal events, and guided distillery tours.
Today, Schulze Rötering remains one of the region’s longstanding producers of Korn, fruit spirits, Geiste, liqueurs, and specialty editions such as its German Extra FINE Aquavit series.