Bärenfang^[1] is a German honey-flavoured liqueur based on vodka. It is sometimes called Bärenjäger, especially in the English-speaking world.

Bärenfang means “bear trap”; Bärenjäger means “bear hunter.”

Bärenfang has an alcohol content of 30%–45% ABV (60–90 proof). In Germany, Bärenfang is often made at home since the basic recipe and many variations of it are readily available. Most homemade Bärenfang is based on vodka, but some recipes with a higher alcohol content are based on neutral spirit.

Bärenfang is always made with honey from nectar because honey from honeydew may have a bitter aftertaste.

History[link]

The liqueur was first developed in eastern Prussia (East Prussia) in the 15th century. Bärenjäger was the first commercial brand of Bärenfang produced in the capital city of Koenigsberg; it is now produced by the Teucke & Koenig company in the town of Steinhagen, Germany. A picture of a fur trapper trapping a bear is shown on bottles of Teucke & Koenig’s Bärenjäger.

Today, Teucke & Koenig is owned by Schwarze & Schlichte, located in the town of Oelde in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Schwarze & Schlichte also make another brand of Bärenfang that is bottled at 33% ABV (66 proof).

The Bärenfang produced by Teucke & Koenig is widely exported, and therefore the name “Bärenjäger” is commonly used outside of Germany. There are other producers of Bärenfang in Germany, but their products are less often available in other countries.

Awards[link]

Barenjager has been reviewed by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Wine Enthusiast. In the case of the former, Barenjager was given a gold medal (in 2011). The latter rated Barenjager in its "85-89" category. Proof66's averaging of these scores produces an overall score that classifies it as a "Tier 1" spirit.^[2]

See also[link]

• Krupnik
• Liqueur

References[link]

1. ^ Bärenfang — Likör, der Bienenhonig enthält [liqueur which contains honey]  Wahrig: Deutsches Wōrterbuch. Gűtersloh/Műnchen: Bertelsmann Lexikon Institut. 2006. p. 227. ISBN 978-3-577-10241-4. 
2. ^ Proof66.com Awards Summary Page for Barenjager

External links[link]

• Schwarze & Schlichte website (German)
• U.S. website (English, requires Flash)

v t e Alcoholic beverages   History and production History of alcohol History of alcohol History of beer History of Champagne History of wine History of French wine History of Rioja wine History of Chianti Production Brewing Distilling Winemaking   Alcoholic beverages Fermented beverage Beer (types) Wine (types) Cider (category) Mead (category) Rice wine (category) Other fermented beverages Distilled beverage Brandy (category) Gin (category) Horilka (category) Liqueur (category) Rum (category) Tequila (category) Vodka (category) Whisky (category) Fortified wine (category) Madeira wine (category) Marsala wine Port wine Sherry (category) Vermouth (category)   Distilled beverages by ingredients Grain Barley Irish whiskey Japanese whisky Scotch whisky Maize Bourbon whiskey Corn whiskey Tennessee whiskey Rice Awamori Cheongju Rice baijiu Soju Rye Rye whiskey Sorghum Baijiu (Kaoliang) Multiple grains American whiskey Canadian whisky Fruit Apple Applejack Calvados Cashew apple Fenny Coconut Arrack Grape Arak Armagnac Brandy Cognac Pisco Plum Slivovitz Ţuică Pomace Chacha Grappa Marc Orujo Tsikoudia Tsipouro Zivania Various/other fruit Eau de vie Kirschwasser Nalewka Pálinka Rakia Schnaps Other Agave Mezcal Tequila Sugarcane/molasses Aguardiente Arak Cachaça Clairin Guaro Rum Seco Herrerano Tharra Various cereals and potato Akvavit Baijiu Horilka Poitín Shōchū Vodka   Liqueurs and infused distilled beverages by ingredients Almond Amaretto Crème de Noyaux Anise Absinthe Arak Ouzo Pastis Raki Sambuca Chocolate Chocolate liqueur Cinnamon Tentura Cloudberry Lakka Coconut Malibu Coffee Kahlua Tia Maria Egg Advocaat Hazelnut Frangelico Herbs Aquavit Bénédictine Brennivín Crème de menthe Metaxa Minttu Honey Bärenjäger Drambuie Glayva Krupnik Juniper Gin Jenever Orange Campari Curaçao Triple sec Peppers Pertsivka Star anise Sassolino Sugarcane/molasses Charanda Various/other fruit Crème de banane Crème de cassis Limoncello Schnapps Sloe gin Alcoholic beverages category Drinking establishment Drink Portal Beer Portal Beer WikiProject Spirits WikiProject Wine Portal Wine WikiProject

This bee-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e