Schmider distillery - Ebbs

True Wonder Drops - The Show Distillery "Zum Messerschmied" in Ebbs

Albert Schmider is not only an expert in fine spirits, but also a mountain hiking guide, ski and paragliding instructor, and holiday room rental host. In his show distillery "Zum Messerschmied" in the center of Ebbs, he explains the traditional method of making high-proof spirits and more. During the subsequent tasting, he sharpens his guests' senses so they can rediscover the taste and smell of the region in the schnapps.

Taking a Journey - Albert Schmider Guides You into the World of Fine Spirits

Farmhouses of this kind have become rare, which is why Albert Schmider is often asked if his facade can be used as a photo motif. The old farmhouse from 1536 has been lovingly renovated by the native of Ebbs: the rear former economic part of the farm has been replaced by a new building, but the former residential area has been left in its original state. Here, the charm of bygone days is palpable. It is here that Albert Schmider has set up his show distillery "Zum Messerschmied".

Family Business: Tradition and Transformation

He inherited the house - along with an outbuilding from 1765 - from his ancestors. Today, the ensemble is a real gem, but the old heritage was not always appreciated in Ebbs. In 1989, a local newspaper headlined: "Eyesore to be Demolished," but fortunately, that never happened. Albert Schmider's father began the gradual renovation of the house. Albert Schmider also took over the distillery from his father, who "died suddenly and unexpectedly," Albert Schmider explains, "as suddenly and unexpectedly as one dies at 87."

The experienced distiller left behind a large amount of mash. Albert Schmider, who had a successful career behind him - as a longtime employee of Siemens, he traveled the world - did not want to let the mash go to waste and quickly bought a book. Because his father had not passed on the distilling knowledge to him, Albert Schmider had to learn fruit distilling from scratch. Today, he masters this art like few others and is eager to share his knowledge. He welcomes his guests to a sensory delight for all senses.

Experience the Mountain World: Outdoors and Indoors

Albert Schmider has developed his own personal tourism concept: in the aforementioned outbuilding, he has set up several holiday rooms. He offers his guests not only comfortable accommodation but also nature experiences: as a mountain hiking guide, he climbs the highest peaks with his guests; as a paragliding guide, he leads them through the skies; and as a distiller, he engages their sense of smell and taste. All activities are accompanied by stories from the area.

The area stretches around the farmhouse as far as the eye can see, and it is precisely delineated. As a mountain hiking guide, he knows his homeland like the back of his hand. The outdoor experience is followed by enjoyment in the in-house distillery. But this enjoyment must be learned first. The way people order schnapps in shot glasses to down in one go is completely wrong, explains the master distiller.

Schnapps Distilling: Then and Now

Centuries ago, Tyrolean schnapps was distilled to utilize fruit, not to refine it. All fruit that was not suitable for consumption was turned into alcohol. No wonder the taste of these early fruit brandies left much to be desired. It was only much later that a change in thinking occurred. The aroma of the fruit does not improve on the way to the bottle, so it is particularly important to use aromatic, ripe fruit. Only then does the schnapps acquire its typical fruit aroma.

To give this aroma a chance to reach the nose - the smell of fine spirits is just as important as their taste - the fine spirit should not be drunk ice-cold, but at around 18 degrees. As with wine, the glass is also of great importance for fine spirits. Those who want to try it should fill schnapps into a shot glass and a fine spirit glass and do a self-test. It is hard to believe that the same product is in both vessels.

Schnapps Tasting: Smell and Taste

During his schnapps tastings, Albert Schmider provides a historical overview, explaining the distilling rights after Maria Theresa and why the abstinent Arabs invented schnapps. In a second part, Albert Schmider explains the difference between a spirit and a fine spirit. Only in the third part of the tasting does it come to the sensory experience: the enjoyment of fine spirits.

Travelers have many stories to tell. This is true of Albert Schmider, who has seen much and has returned to his childhood home. And it is true of the guests who visit Albert Schmider's show distillery "Zum Messerschmied" in Ebbs: "Whenever we are served schnapps in a shot glass, we have to think of your words," a customer recently told Albert Schmider. After a visit to the show distillery, fine spirits will be enjoyed and appreciated differently. That much is certain.