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Phone: 09194-1256 | Email: info@destillerie-haas.de | Shop open: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9-12.30 + 14-18, Wed closed, Sat 9-14, Payments only in cash

History

History & stories for over 120 years

In the 18th century, Franconian Switzerland was a well-known wine, hop and fruit-growing region. Even today, old field names such as Weingarten or Weinleiter bear witness to this long tradition. However, in the 19th century, the focus increasingly shifted to fruit growing. The region developed into a centre for fruit growing and horticulture, and the numerous orchards still characterise the landscape of Franconian Switzerland today.

Over the years, the intensive fruit growing led to a surplus and the need arose to preserve the fruit. Fruit kilns were built to preserve the fruit for the cold months. Our Haas distillery was founded in 1901 - as far as Schorsch knows, the first of its kind in Upper Franconia. Since then, we have been passionately distilling the aromatic fruits of our region.

The old distilling techniques have been passed down through generations and constantly refined. Our distillery is a place where tradition meets innovation: in addition to classic fruit brandies and spirits, we also process floury raw materials such as wheat, rye and barley into high-quality spirits. In the past, the remaining products were fed to the cattle after the distilling process - a sustainable cycle that continues today in a modern form.

The fertile soils and mild climate of Franconian Switzerland provide the ideal conditions for growing apples, pears, plums and many other fruits that we use for our brandies. You can taste the rich history and diversity of the region in every bottle that we produce for you with the greatest care and attention to detail.

2024

Tim joining

Tim joins the distillery and takes over the capping distillery.

2021 - 2024

Training Tim

Tim is training to become a distiller.

2021

Emely joining

Emely joins the Haas Fine Distillery.

2018 - 2021

Training Emely

Emely is training to become a hotel specialist.

2016

Founding the Inc.

2015

Construction of the whisky and bottle warehouse

2015

Construction of the whisky and bottle warehouse

2014

45th anniversary of the cherry festival

2009

70th birthday of Georg Haas

in front of our hall in Altreuth

2009

70th birthday of Georg Haas

in front of our hall in Altreuth

2009

40th anniversary of the cherry festival

2009

40th anniversary of the cherry festival

2009

40th anniversary of the cherry festival

2007

Corpus Christi altar

As a family, we are a grateful part of the village community and love to maintain old traditions.

2004

Birth & christening of Tim Haas

On 13 November, proud parents show off their son Tim after his christening.

2004

35th anniversary of the cherry festival

2004

35th anniversary of the cherry festiva

2002

Birth & Christening Emely Haas

Emely is the first child born to Johannes and Manuela.

2001

Wedding Johannes and Manuela

Manu and Hannes marry on 28.09.2001

2000

Conversion of the distillery

The distillery is rebuilt for the purchase of a new still, which is put into operation on 8 December 2001.

1999

Trade fair with Georg Haas in Munich

1998

First prizes awarded

Johannes Haas at one of the many honours the distillery has received to date.

1998

Berlin Green Week

1998

Berlin Green Week

1998

Fruit growing intensified

Conversion of the agricultural business specialising in fruit growing for distilled fruit.

1997

"Abfindungs-" distillery goes into operation

Commissioning of the Johannes Haas "Abfindungs-" distillery.

1995

Hearts on fire

Johannes gets to know and love his Manuela.

1995

Demolition of the barn

The cowshed and the barn along with the storehouse are demolished.

1995

Shortly before the barn is demolished

1990 - 1993

Johannes Haas apprenticeship

Johannes Haas is doing an apprenticeship in Weihenstephan - he attends the experimental and training distillery there.
Photo licenced under Creative Commons, Wikipedia, User: Vuxi.

1982

Garden with old barn

Hannes with his dog Wotan in the garden in front of the old barn. The shop and the house are now located here.

1982

Inner courtyard with old barn

Georg Haas in the old courtyard before the renovation.

1975

Birth of Johannes Haas

Johannes Haas is born on 20 January, the youngest of five children - he grows up with four sisters.

1969

Handover to Georg Haas

Andreas Haas hands over the distillery to his son Georg (pictured here).

1965

The farm

The old barn - here is the shop today.

1960

New house being built

The helpers building the house celebrate the lifting ceremony in a fun atmosphere.

1960

Demolition of the old house

The old house of Georg Haas and his family.

1939

Birth of Georg Haas

Georg Haas was born on 14 August in Pretzfeld. He grew up with 5 brothers and all of them worked on the purely agricultural farm with fruit growing, livestock farming and a distillery. Here you can see him as a young boy.

1921

Takeover by Andreas Haas

Andreas Haas takes over the distillery from his mother-in-law Barbara Keilholz.

1901

Commissioning

Barbara Keilholz starts operating the distillery.

1900

Acquisition of the distillery

Barbara Keilholz acquired the distillery on 1 October. She is the grandmother of Georg Haas and mother-in-law of Andreas Haas.

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Welcome to Haas Fine Distillery in Pretzfeld | Rooted in tradition since 1901

Only cash payment is possible in our Pretzfeld shop.
Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9.00 am - 12.30 pm, 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm, Wednesday closed, Saturday 9.00 am - 2.00 pm. Further appointments by telephone arrangement only.

We are closed on 24 December, 31 December to 6 January, Shrove Monday and Shrove Tuesday.
Prices and availability are always up-to-date and valid on the homepage.