Book: The history of Haselünne's grain distilleries from their beginnings to the great town fire of 1849

In the Middle Ages, from around the 12th century onwards, the art of distillation became known in Central Europe. It was distilled wine that initially found its way into medieval pharmacies as a medicine. As early as the beginning of the 16th century, grain grown in the area surrounding the old grain and Hanseatic town, or perhaps stored there as trade goods, was also processed ("distilled") in Haselünne into "Kornbranntwei" (grain brandy). In Haselünne, the art of distillation, particularly in light of the town's history stretching far back into the Middle Ages, has developed into an intangible cultural asset over the past centuries. This ancient craft is still cultivated with great care in the remaining distilleries today. This treatise describes the historical development of the many distilleries in Haselünne and is limited to the period up to the mid-19th century.