Waldemar Behn

What Waldemar Behn does

Waldemar Behn GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German spirits manufacturer headquartered in Eckernförde, Schleswig-Holstein, founded in 1892 and now in its fifth generation of family ownership following the January 2026 leadership transition to Lisa Behn and Asmus Behn. The company produces and markets a portfolio of more than 30 proprietary spirit brands spanning party shots (Kleiner Feigling, launched 1992), premium vodka (DANZKA, acquired 2013, Copenhagen-origin, distinctive aluminum bottle), plant-based cream liqueur (Dooley's, launched 1999, in 60+ countries), Nordic aperitifs (Andalö), anise liqueur (Küstennebel), Alpine schnapps (Alpenschnaps, Nannerl — Salzburg, acquired 2000), Viking-themed mead and gin (Wikinger Met, Wikinger Noorgaard Gin), and ready-to-drink extensions. Production is operated from owned facilities in Eckernförde and Salzburg, with a modern high-bay warehouse commissioned in 2015.

The business operates a dual vertical model: spirits manufacturing and brand ownership combined with a captive beverage wholesale business (Behn Getränke GmbH), which runs a 24-truck fleet serving roughly 1,000 customers — gastronomy, food retail, beverage markets, clinics, hospitals, and petrol stations — across Schleswig-Holstein from Flensburg to Neumünster and onto Sylt. Distribution to retail runs through national Key Account Management targeting German LEH, discounters, and specialist trade; international reach runs through export partners and travel-retail channels across more than 60 countries (with DANZKA among the top-five premium vodkas in global duty-free); and direct-to-consumer/B2B sales run through the proprietary behnshop.de e-commerce storefront.

The company employs roughly 280-380 staff across the group (sources vary), generates undisclosed revenue, and reinvests in brand extensions and event-led marketing (e.g., the Airbeat One Festival 2026 partnership, DRINKS OPEN cocktail sponsorship) to defend category position. Recent awards include SACHON TOP BRAND 2026 for Andalö and Innovation of the Year 2025 (RTD) for Andalö Spritz. The company has made two material acquisitions in its modern history: Nannerl (2000, Austria) and DANZKA (2013, Denmark), and currently has no external equity investors, remaining wholly family-held.

Name

Waldemar Behn

Legal name

Waldemar Behn GmbH

Website

https://behn.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1892

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Waldemar Behn is a family-owned German spirits company (founded 1892, Eckernförde) that manufactures and distributes 30+ proprietary spirit brands — including Kleiner Feigling, DANZKA, Dooley's, and Andalö — via retail key accounts, a captive beverage-wholesale fleet, export partners in 60+ countries, and its own e-commerce shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Distilled Spirits

NAICS

Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Inventory-led Online Retailers (CRAFADAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Travel Hub Specialty Alcohol Retail (Whisky/Wine Boutiques in Airports/Stations) (CRANAIAH)

Keywords

• Spirits manufacturing
• Vodka production
• Liqueur brands
• Beverage wholesale
• Alcoholic beverages

Headquarters

HQ city

Eckernförde

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Spirits Product Sales: Sale of proprietary and licensed spirit brands to consumers via retail and to trade customers via wholesale and direct accounts. Revenue generated through the Behnshop e-commerce platform and through distribution partnerships across Germany and over 60 export countries.
2. Beverage Wholesale: Behn Getränke GmbH distributes a broad range of beverages to gastronomy, food retail, beverage markets, clinics, hospitals, and petrol stations across Schleswig-Holstein from Flensburg to Neumünster.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Waldemar Behn GmbH manufactures and markets a portfolio of more than 30 proprietary and licensed spirit brands, including party liqueurs (Kleiner Feigling), premium vodka (DANZKA), cream liqueurs (Dooley's), Nordic aperitifs (Andalö), anise liqueurs (Küstennebel), mead (Wikinger Met) and gin (Wikinger Noorgaard Gin). The company sells to German retail key accounts (LEH, discounters, specialist trade), to gastronomy and retail via its wholesale arm Behn Getränke GmbH across Schleswig-Holstein, and internationally via export partners and travel retail distribution across 60+ countries.

Product overview

Waldemar Behn is a family-owned spirits manufacturer founded in 1892, operating as part of the Behn Group alongside Behn Getränke GmbH (beverage wholesale). The company produces and distributes over 30 spirit brands, primarily liqueurs, vodkas, schnaps, meads, gins, and ready-to-drink products. Core international brands include Kleiner Feigling (party spirit with fig liqueur), DANZKA (premium Danish vodka), Dooley's (plant-based cream liqueur), Andalö (Nordic aperitif), Küstennebel (anise liqueur), Wikinger Met (Viking mead), and Wikinger Noorgaard Gin. The portfolio spans multiple categories including party spirits, aperitifs, vodka, clear spirits, cream liqueurs, anis, honey wine & liqueur, and gin. Regional brands like Alpenschnaps, Fiete's Kirsch, and Nannerl complement the portfolio. Products are distributed through the Behnshop online store, retail partners, and the Behn Getränke wholesale distribution network serving hospitality and retail customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kleiner Feigling: Party shot cult liqueur - fig vodka liqueur in party-sized bottles with playful design and group drinking games
• Andalö
• DANZKA
• Alpenschnaps
• Dooley's
• Küstennebel
• Wikinger Met
• Wikinger Noorgaard Gin
• Nannerl
• Wikinger Nydam

Products and services

• Kleiner Feigling Germany's leading party spirit brand featuring fig liqueur with vodka. Known for iconic small bottles with stylized eyes and drinking games. Available in multiple flavors (Original, Coco Biscuit, Red Berry Sour, Green Lemon, Magic Mango, Kirsch-Banana, Cookie Vanilla) and limited editions. Sold to consumers via retail and online.
• DANZKA Premium vodka from Copenhagen, distilled in six stages using soft Nordic water and 100% whole grain. Distinctive aluminium bottle enables rapid chilling and travel-friendly use. Range includes Forty (40%), Fifty (50%), The Spirit (44%) and flavoured variants (Apple, Citrus, Cranraz, Currant, Grapefruit), plus RTD Vodka-Mix cans.
• Dooley's Plant-based, lactose-free creamy liqueur on vodka basis with distinctive toffee taste. Available in Toffee Creamy, White Choc Berry Creamy and The Yellow One Creamy variants (15% vol). Exported to over 60 countries.
• Andalö Nordic aperitif with fruity-fresh taste combining tart fruit acidity with gentle sweetness. Available as original (15% vol) and ready-to-drink Andalö Spritz format (5.3% vol). Awarded SACHON TOP BRAND 2026 and Innovation of the Year 2025 (RTD category).
• Küstennebel Anise liqueur from Northern Germany with distinctive star anise aroma (21.8% vol). A classic for enjoying chilled, pure or on ice. Established 1985, still a national success.
• Wikinger Met Authentic mead from Viking land inspired by the historical Haithabu settlement near the Schlei fjord. Available in Original (11% vol), Roter Wikinger Met (6% vol), Hanf Wikinger Met, Heißer Wikinger Met and Wikinger Legende varieties. Includes Wikinger Nydam honey liqueur and Wikinger Noorgaard Gin extensions.
• Wikinger Noorgaard Gin Handcrafted distilled dry gin (43.9% vol) inspired by Nordic mythology. Features native berries and herbs from the north, juniper and lemon. An homage to Viking culture.
• Alpenschnaps Alpine schnapps with traditional Alpine recipe, available in seven varieties: Marille (35% vol), Williamsbirne, Obstler (38% vol), Haselnuss (33% vol), Himbeere, Williamsbirne mit Honig and Zirbe (30% vol). Also offered as Alpenmax and Jodelmix in portable 0.02L bottles.
• Kleiner Feigling Die Dose Ready-to-drink vodka-mix in 250ml can format (10% vol) under the Kleiner Feigling brand. Portable party beverage for festivals, parties and on-the-go consumption.
• Nannerl Salzburg-based family company acquired in 2000, producing traditional spirit specialties including Alpine schnaps, hot beverages (Nannerl Heißgetränke), food products and fruit juice concentrates. Complements the Behn spirit portfolio with traditional Austrian spirits.
• Behn Getränke Beverage Wholesale Beverage wholesale distribution service operated by subsidiary Behn Getränke GmbH, supplying gastronomy, food retail, beverage markets, clinics, hospitals and petrol stations across Schleswig-Holstein from Flensburg to Neumünster. Fleet of 24 trucks serves approximately 1,000 customers.
• Behnshop E-commerce Direct-to-consumer and B2B online sales platform (behnshop.de) offering the full Behn brand portfolio including Kleiner Feigling, DANZKA, Dooley's, Andalö and specialty spirits. New customers receive a 10% discount on first order.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kleiner Feigling is one of the best-known and most popular German branded consumer products (Markenartikel) since its 1992 launch.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Airbeat One FestivalflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Kleiner Feigling is the official partner of the Airbeat One Festival 2026 (July 8–12, 2026, Neustadt-Glewe, one of Europe's largest electronic music festivals). The partnership includes mobile promoters for brand encounters, bar listings with maximum visibility, camping shop placement, giant inflatable bottle displays as eye-catchers, and joint social media ticket giveaways. A dedicated content team will be present on-site.
• DRINKS OPEN (Cocktail Competition)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026ANDALÖ was the primary spirit ingredient in the winning cocktail 'Sunnesching' by Thomas Feld at DRINKS OPEN 2026, held aboard MS Säntis on Lake Constance. The competition attracted over 180 applications with 45 bartenders invited to the pre-selection and 16 finalists. ANDALÖ also featured as the welcome drink (ANDALÖ Spritz) and was on the open bar card. The previous year's winner also created a drink using ANDALÖ.
• Nannerl (Salzburg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Behn acquired the traditional Salzburg family company Nannerl in 2000 to establish Kleiner Feigling in the Austrian market. Nannerl contributes high gastronomic competence, a comprehensive range of traditional spirit specialties (including Alpenschnaps brand), and a wide portfolio of premium food products, vitamins, and fruit juice concentrates. The acquisition provided both market access in Austria and brand portfolio expansion.
• Sylt-based company (Behn Getränke participation)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Behn Getränke acquired a participation in a Sylt-based company in 1995, expanding its delivery area to the island of Sylt for 10 years. This partnership extended the beverage wholesale coverage to the premium island market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Diageo plc: Global leading premium spirits company (Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan, Baileys). Comparable to Behn as a broad incumbent in the same overall spirits space, providing the competitive backdrop particularly in vodka and cream liqueur categories where DANZKA and Dooley's compete.
• Pernod Ricard SA: Global #2 premium spirits company (Absolut, Jameson, Havana Club, Beefeater). Comparable to Behn as a broad incumbent shaping global premium vodka and aperitif trends (notably through brands competing with DANZKA premium vodka and ANDALÖ Nordic aperitif).

Direct peers

• Underberg AG: Family-owned German herbal bitters and spirits producer (Underberg, St. Hubertus). Similar to Behn in private family ownership, long heritage (founded 1846), German-anchored spirits portfolio, and export-led growth strategy.
• Berentzen-Gruppe AG: Public German spirits manufacturer headquartered in Lower Saxony, producing a diversified portfolio of brand spirits (including Berentzen Apfelkorn, Puschkin vodka, and Mio Mio liqueurs). Closely comparable to Behn in scale, multi-brand German heritage portfolio, and integrated domestic distribution focus.
• Stock Spirits Group: Central European branded spirits company (Stock Original, Božkov, Fernet Stock). Comparable to Behn in mid-sized European spirits manufacturer profile, multi-country footprint (Czech, Poland, Italy), and multi-brand portfolio strategy.
• Mast-Jägermeister SE: German family-owned spirits company best known for the global Jägermeister brand. Comparable to Behn in family ownership structure, German heritage, multi-decade brand building, and international export distribution across 100+ countries.
• Rotkäppchen-Mumm Sektkellereien GmbH: German family-owned (since 1856) producer of sparkling wine and spirits (Rotkäppchen, Söhnlein, Jürgen von der Mark). Comparable to Behn as a multi-brand German family-owned beverage company with strong German retail distribution.
• Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits SA: French heritage spirits company (Marie Brizard liqueurs, Sobieski vodka, William Peel whisky). Comparable to Behn as a multi-brand European spirits producer with heritage brands and an integrated production/distribution model.
• Lucas Bols N.V. Dutch-listed global spirits company and the world's oldest distilled spirits brand (1575). Comparable to Behn in multi-category spirits portfolio (vodka, gin, liqueurs), heritage brand positioning, and international distribution model.

Emerging players

• Eckes-Granini Group GmbH: German family-owned leading European beverage producer focused on fruit juices and non-alcoholic drinks (hohes C, granini). Comparable to Behn via Nannerl Salzburg food/juice concentrate operations and as a parallel family-owned German beverage group with adjacent category reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/behn

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waldemar Behn