Bauers Bierschnapps 750ML

Bauers Bierschnapps 750ML is a 30% ABV (60-proof) Austrian beer brandy liqueur made by distilling beer into a smooth, malty spirit. Notably, it was the first beer brandy — known in German tradition as bierbrand — to be imported into the United States, bringing a rare European category to American shelves.

Quick Facts: ABV: 30%  |  Origin: Vienna, Austria  |  Style: Bierschnapps (Beer Brandy Liqueur)  |  Distillery: Fischer Spirits

Production & Heritage

Bauers Bierschnapps is produced by Fischer Spirits in Vienna, Austria, following a historical Bauer family recipe that dates back to 1937. The spirit is created by taking leftover beer from the brewery and distilling it, concentrating the grain character and malt sweetness into a distinctly flavored liqueur. The result is an all-natural, gluten-free spirit with natural beer flavoring — a faithful expression of the centuries-old Central European bierbrand tradition, in which brewers recovered flavor and value from surplus beer through distillation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Pleasant malt character leads the nose, followed by subtle hints of hops and a warm caramel sweetness. The overall impression is inviting and grainy, like stepping into a working brewery.

Taste: The palate opens with a rich malty sweetness that immediately signals its beer origins. Mid-palate, a mild bitterness emerges — reminiscent of a light lager — balancing the sweetness with a grounded, earthy quality. The mouthfeel is notably smooth for a spirit at this proof, with a gentle warmth that builds gradually.

Finish: The finish is remarkably smooth and medium in length, carrying a gentle grainy aftertaste that lingers pleasantly. Faint echoes of toasted bread and dried hops fade slowly, leaving a clean and dry close.

How to Drink Bauers Bierschnapps

Traditionally, bierschnapps is served chilled or at room temperature as a digestif, and Bauers rewards both approaches with its smooth, malty profile. At 30% ABV, it is approachable enough to sip neat without dilution.

• Boilermaker (reversed): Pour a small measure alongside a quality pilsner — the spirit and beer mirror each other, amplifying malt complexity.
• Gold Rush: Substitute Bauers for whiskey; its grainy sweetness pairs naturally with honey and lemon, creating a lighter, more aromatic variation.
• Beer Old Fashioned: Use Bauers as the base with a barspoon of honey syrup and Angostura bitters — it produces a malt-forward riff on the classic that highlights the spirit's unique character.

Best For

• Introducing craft beer enthusiasts to the world of spirits
• Serving as a distinctive after-dinner digestif at a dinner party
• Gifting someone who appreciates rare or unusual spirit categories
• Building a home bar with conversation-starting bottles from lesser-known traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bauers Bierschnapps taste like? Bauers Bierschnapps delivers a rich, malty flavor with slight sweetness balanced by mild hop bitterness, reminiscent of a light beer but concentrated into spirit form. The finish is smooth with a gentle grainy aftertaste.

How does Bauers Bierschnapps compare to pür·geist Bierbrand? Both are beer brandies available in the U.S. market, but Bauers Bierschnapps is bottled at 30% ABV as a liqueur-strength spirit, while pür·geist Bierbrand is typically bottled at a higher proof as an eau de vie–style expression. Bauers leans into sweetness and smoothness, making it more immediately approachable.

Is Bauers Bierschnapps good for sipping neat? Yes — at 30% ABV, it is lower in alcohol than most spirits and remarkably smooth, making it an easy and enjoyable neat pour, especially when served slightly chilled.

Where is Bauers Bierschnapps made? Bauers Bierschnapps is distilled by Fischer Spirits in Vienna, Austria. It follows a Bauer family recipe dating back to 1937 and represents the traditional Central European practice of distilling beer into brandy.

What foods pair well with Bauers Bierschnapps? Soft pretzels with mustard complement its malty backbone. Aged Gruyère or Emmental cheese echoes its toasty, grainy notes. Roasted pork or bratwurst plays into its Austrian heritage. Apple strudel pairs well with its caramel sweetness and warm finish. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content contrasts nicely against the mild hop bitterness.

What sizes does Bauers Bierschnapps come in? Bauers Bierschnapps is available in the standard 750ML bottle size.

Is Bauers Bierschnapps worth the price? Bauers Bierschnapps positions as a specialty liqueur in a category — beer brandy — that has very few competitors in the American market. Its value lies in its novelty, smooth drinkability, and the authenticity of its 1937 family recipe, making it a worthwhile addition for anyone seeking something genuinely different.

Why Bauers Bierschnapps?

The bierbrand category remains virtually unknown in the United States, and Bauers Bierschnapps holds the distinction of being the first beer brandy imported into the country. That alone makes it a significant bottle, but it earns its place on substance as well: the 1937 Bauer family recipe produces a spirit that genuinely tastes like the best qualities of beer — malt richness, hop complexity, caramel warmth — concentrated and refined through distillation. For drinkers who have explored whiskey, brandy, and craft beer but want something that sits at the intersection of all three, this Austrian liqueur fills a gap that almost nothing else on the market addresses.