Freimeisterkollektiv - True Craft No Bullsh*t

The Freimeisterkollektiv from Berlin is an open network of outstanding distillers, leading restaurateurs, and experts. Recently, our tea shop, Schönbichler, also became a partner of this innovative community. Theo Ligthart - the founder of the Freimeisterkollektiv - was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

- Hello Theo, could you briefly introduce yourself and the Freimeisterkollektiv?

- When I created a grain spirit (Kornbrand) from regional ingredients and artisanal production 15 years ago, I had no intention of making a career out of it. The fascination grew, and with it, my knowledge of the craft, the manufacturing processes, and the flavors. When I noticed more and more small distilleries being founded and long-established distilleries reinventing themselves through quality, I founded a festival and competition for handmade spirits in Berlin in 2012. Craft Spirits Berlin became the foundation for my extensive network.

- What did you do before the Freimeisterkollektiv and what moved you to found it?

- I made "Das Korn" and "Steinreich," two grain spirits, and organized Craft Spirits Berlin. These experiences showed me the possibilities that can arise when small producers work together. The Freimeisterkollektiv is a curated association of outstanding distillers.

- Is there a collaboration you are particularly proud of?

- It is difficult to single out individual collaborations. A few years ago, I was able to make a mezcal with a recognized mezcal distiller in Oaxaca, Mexico. But the collaboration with the Freimeister distillers in Austria is particularly exciting and inspiring. Georg Hiebl from the Mostviertel, who is considered one of the best fruit distillers in the world, has developed products for the Freimeisterkollektiv, as has the young newcomer Lisa Bauer from Styria. We have a special single-cask bottling from Jasmin Haider from the Waldviertel. Josef Farthofer, an organic pioneer, innovative farmer, and distiller, who is also at home in the Mostviertel, is working together with the international star of the specialty coffee scene, Ralf Rüller, to develop several coffee spirits for the Freimeisterkollektiv.

- It's hard to get more transparent than you are. How important do you think transparency is in the spirits industry, and can't too much transparency overwhelm the consumer?

- Unfortunately, the spirits industry is dominated by lifestyle products and bloated marketing stories. We are not interested in alleged secret recipes that are actually just the basis for mediocre spirits. We are interested in the quality in the bottle, not the design of the bottle. That should really go without saying for luxury consumables, right? We want to show the rich tradition that can be found in the distilleries and how distillers apply their craft in an innovative and creative way.

- What bottlings can we look forward to next year, can you reveal anything yet?

- A highlight in the coming year will certainly be the new Williams pear brandy. Two of the world's best distillers have joined forces for the Freimeisterkollektiv.
Georg Hiebl from Austria and Gerhard Liebl from the Bavarian Forest are developing a pear cuvée together. Two legendary giants of the distilling equipment will present a joint spirit for the first time.

- That does indeed sound promising. Thank you for your time and good luck with the new projects.

More info on the Freimeisterkollektiv: www.freimeisterkollektiv.de

Further exciting bottlings are already on their way to us and should arrive in about a week.