Crazy Bastard Sauce / CBS Foods GmbH

What Crazy Bastard Sauce / CBS Foods GmbH does

Crazy Bastard Sauce, operating as CBS Foods GmbH, is a Berlin-based craft hot sauce producer founded in 2013 by Jonathan O'Reilly. The company manufactures small-batch, 100% natural, vegan, and gluten-free hot sauces in 100ml, 200ml, and 1L formats, with a portfolio spanning mild (Jalapeño & Date) through superhot (Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion, Naga) and a 'Berlin Brennt' sub-brand inspired by local cuisine. Production relies on oven-roasted chili peppers, natural fermentation for superhot variants, and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) testing for verified Scoville ratings — a deliberate counterpoint to industry marketing inflation. The company operates out of a production kitchen in Berlin Neukölln, run by a 7-person team producing roughly 1,200 bottles per day, scaling to 5,000 in peak weeks.

The business model is direct-to-consumer-led via a Shopify storefront with global shipping (free over €50), supplemented by wholesale distribution through Ankorstore and Faire, a UK-exclusive distributor (crazybsauce.co.uk), and a Berlin retailer network. Pricing spans $6-$16 per 100ml bottle, $23-$59 for gift sets, with B2B catering bottles (1L) and custom labeling for corporate gifting. Marketing is digital-first via Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, email newsletter, and recipe/chili blogs, with trade show presence supporting wholesale acquisition. The company has no external institutional funding, no parent entity, and is founder-owned.

The brand has accumulated reputational capital through the 2016 World Hot Sauce Awards Gold (Louisiana), the 2020 Great Taste Awards (UK), and recognition at the New York Hot Sauce Expo, while an active 2024-2025 product launch cadence — including the Berlin Brennt sub-brand, the Heldbergs Games collaboration, the 7POT PURO, and a Spice Blend Trio — signals ongoing product and channel expansion.

Name

Crazy Bastard Sauce / CBS Foods GmbH

Legal name

CBS Foods GmbH

Website

https://crazybsauce.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Crazy Bastard Sauce is a Berlin-based craft hot sauce producer founded in 2013, manufacturing small-batch, vegan, gluten-free sauces sold globally via DTC e-commerce, wholesale platforms, and a UK distributor, serving spice enthusiasts and specialty retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisan Hot Sauce

NAICS

Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing (311941), Seasoning and Dressing Manufacturing (31194)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)

akta.pro primary industry

Condiments, Sauces & Dressings (CRADAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fermented & Specialty Condiments Manufacturing (Kimchi Base, Gochujang, Miso-Based Sauces) (AFAKADAO), Specialty Condiments, Sauces & Pickles Wholesale (AFAIAIAJ)

Keywords

• Artisan hot sauce
• Small batch condiments
• Natural spicy seasonings
• Fermented chili sauces
• Food gift sets

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through Shopify-powered website selling individual hot sauce bottles, gift sets, and build-your-own boxes. Products shipped globally with regional free shipping thresholds.
2. Wholesale Distribution: B2B wholesale through Ankorstore and Faire platforms. Also offers 1L catering bottles for restaurants and events, plus custom labeling for corporate gifts and events.
3. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold in €10, €25, €50, and €100 denominations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Crazy Bastard Sauce (CBS Foods GmbH) manufactures and sells handmade, small-batch, 100% natural, vegan and gluten-free hot sauces in its Berlin-Neukölln production kitchen, ranging from mild (Jalapeño & Date) to superhot fermented (Carolina Reaper, Naga, Scorpion). The portfolio also includes limited-edition sauces, the Berlin Brennt sub-brand, spicy seasonings (spice blends, Habanero salt, dried chilies), themed gift sets, build-your-own boxes, gift cards, and branded merchandise, distributed via DTC e-commerce, wholesale platforms (Ankorstore, Faire), and a UK distributor.

Product overview

Crazy Bastard Sauce is a Berlin-based hot sauce company founded in 2013, offering a portfolio of 100% natural, vegan, and gluten-free hot sauces available in 100ml, 200ml, and 1L sizes. The core product line includes 9 classic hot sauces ranging from mild (Jalapeno & Date) to extreme (Carolina Reaper & Blueberry), plus 4 Superhot fermented sauces (Reaper, Naga, Scorpion). The company also produces limited edition seasonal sauces (Berlin Brennt Hot Curry Sauce, Winter Warmer), spicy seasonings (Spice Blend Trio, Habanero Salt, Dried Carolina Reaper), and merchandise (Baby Bib). Gift sets include customizable Build Your Own Box, themed multi-sauce boxes (Classics Box 7-pack, Superhot Box, Very Hot Box, Bestsellers Box, Caribbean Box, Hot Selection Box), and The Crazy Seven with game. Products are handmade in small batches in Berlin Neukölln using oven-roasted peppers, with no added sugar and Italian vinegar as preservative. The company distributes via Shopify-powered e-commerce (crazybsauce.com), wholesale platforms (Ankorstore, Faire), and UK distributor (crazybsauce.co.uk).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Berlin Brennt: A sauce range representing the flavours of Berlin. The first product is a Hot Curry Sauce inspired by Berlin's iconic Currywurst street food.

Products and services

• 7 Pot Tropical Hot Sauce Hot sauce featuring Caribbean 7pot chili paired with tropical fruits (mango, pineapple, melon) for a hot, fruity, naturally sweet flavor profile. Sold as a 100ml single bottle to consumers via DTC e-commerce and wholesale.

Quantifiable outcome

• 356 customer reviews with consistently high ratings
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• AnkorstorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale distribution platform enabling retailers and shops across Germany and EU to purchase Crazy Bastard Sauce products at wholesale prices.
• FairecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale marketplace connecting the brand with independent retailers globally. Retailers can set up accounts and order directly.
• UK Distributor (crazybsauce.co.uk)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDedicated UK distribution partner for Crazy Bastard Sauce products in the United Kingdom market.
• Heldbergs GamesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative product development resulting in CBS x Heldbergs Games Shishito Nanami hot sauce, combining Japanese-inspired flavors with the brand's hot sauce expertise.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yellowbird Sauce Co. US-based premium natural hot sauce brand focused on clean ingredients, bold flavors, and DTC plus wholesale distribution — closely comparable positioning to CBS in the natural/premium artisan segment.
• Truff: Premium hot sauce and condiment brand built on distinctive flavor combinations (truffle-infused sauces) with strong DTC and retail distribution — a directly comparable premium positioning play targeting the same foodie consumer.
• Heatonist (Hot Ones): Curated premium hot sauce brand closely tied to the Hot Ones media franchise — operates in the same artisan/premium hot sauce space with DTC e-commerce, gift sets, and limited edition collaborations similar to CBS's model.
• Marie Sharp's Fine Foods: Belize-based artisan hot sauce brand with strong international distribution and award recognition — directly comparable as a small-batch premium hot sauce manufacturer targeting global markets.
• Queen Majesty Hot Sauce: Small-batch premium hot sauce brand with all-natural ingredients and strong e-commerce presence — closely comparable in scale, philosophy, and target customer to CBS.
• Bushwick Kitchen: Premium condiment brand spanning hot sauces, mustards, and ketchups with natural ingredients and DTC-plus-wholesale distribution — comparable in product breadth and premium positioning to CBS.
• Da Bomb / Ashley Food Company: Specialist superhot hot sauce brand built around extreme Scoville ratings — directly comparable to CBS's superhot fermented range and heat-focused product positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Cholula Hot Sauce: Major established premium-adjacent hot sauce brand distributed globally and owned by McCormick — a broader incumbent whose market presence and shelf placement set the competitive context for CBS's growth ambitions.
• Tabasco (McIlhenny Company): Iconic mass-market hot sauce brand with global distribution and centuries-old brand equity — the dominant category incumbent that defines the consumer reference point CBS positions against on quality and authenticity.
• Huy Fong Foods (Sriracha): Mass-market hot sauce manufacturer (Sriracha, Sambal Oelek) — a broader incumbent illustrating the scale and cost-efficiency CBS would need to reach to compete in mainstream retail channels.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@crazybastardsauce525
• Facebookfacebook.com/crazybsauce
• Instagraminstagram.com/crazybsauce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Crazy Bastard Sauce / CBS Foods GmbH