Heinrich Helbing GmbH

Helbing is one of Hamburg’s oldest and most traditional spirits brands, with a history that reaches back to 1836. Founded by Johann Peter Hinrich Helbing and later continued by his son Christoph Heinrich Helbing, the small family operation quickly grew far beyond its humble beginnings. By the turn of the 20th century, the company had developed into Germany’s largest spirits producer, employing more than 400 people under the name “Helbingsche Dampf-Kornbrennerei und Presshefe-Fabriken AG.” The brand became deeply woven into the cultural and economic fabric of Hamburg, a city where streets, buildings, and even a school still carry the Helbing name.

In 1927, the company became a subsidiary of the Norddeutsche Hefeindustrie AG, the group that would later evolve into Deutsche Hefewerke GmbH, one of the largest yeast manufacturers in Europe. Yet despite these shifts, Helbing remained a defining part of Hamburg’s identity as a producer of traditional northern German spirits.

In 1974, Helbing returned to private family ownership when the Matthiesen family, the owners of Borco-Marken-Import, acquired the historic brand. Under their stewardship, Helbing has continued to evolve while maintaining the legacy of the original recipe developed in the 19th century. The company openly acknowledges and examines its long history, including the period of German colonialism during which Helbing had already grown into a sizeable enterprise.

Today, after more than 180 years, Helbing is still regarded as one of the most iconic spirits from Hamburg. Its famous Kümmel remains based on carefully selected North German caraway seeds, cultivated in the region’s sea-moist climate. The recipe is protected within the family and passed down through generations, while experienced distillers ensure consistent, high quality. Whether enjoyed as a digestif, shared among friends, or used in drinks, Helbing remains a classic of northern German spirits culture and a lasting symbol of Hamburg’s heritage.