The German beverage manufacturer Berentzen confirmed on September 16, 2026, that it is currently in negotiations with the US-based Sazerac. The talks concern a voluntary public takeover offer to acquire all outstanding shares of the Haselünne-based corporation. The shares are currently primarily held in free float.
The potential acquisition follows a challenging financial period for the German beverage group. Recently, the company had to downwardly adjust its full-year guidance for 2026. In the first six months of the current fiscal year, consolidated revenues dropped to EUR 71.0 million, compared to EUR 79.9 million in the previous year. Similarly, the consolidated operating profit (EBIT) fell significantly from EUR 3.2 million to EUR 0.6 million. According to management, two-thirds of this revenue decline was attributable to the core spirits segment. The reasons cited for the current market weakness included lower alcohol consumption due to increasing health consciousness, macroeconomic stagnation, general societal uncertainty, and a dampened consumer sentiment resulting from multiple crises. Consequently, for the full year 2026, revenues are expected to land between EUR 151 million and EUR 156 million, down from the initially projected EUR 163 million to EUR 173 million.
Sazerac, an internationally operating spirits manufacturer with headquarters in New Orleans, boasts a broad portfolio of approximately 450 brands across the whiskey, bourbon, rum, cognac, and port categories. Its globally recognized portfolio includes brands such as Southern Comfort, Last Drop, Mr Sam, and Svedka. The family-controlled group has grown into one of the world's largest spirits companies and has consistently expanded its footprint beyond its core US market through strategic acquisitions.
Berentzen, on the other hand, is one of Germany's oldest spirits producers—known for traditional brands like Bommerlunder—and the market leader in fruit-based spirits in its domestic market, while also producing non-alcoholic beverages such as the mate brand Mio Mio. The German company operates multiple production sites, including a major facility in Minden.
The move for the German producer follows other recent ambitious expansion attempts by Sazerac. Earlier in the year, the American company made a high-profile, yet ultimately failed, bid to take over its US rival Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel's. According to reports from Reuters, Sazerac's aggressive offer heavily complicated a parallel attempt by the French group Pernod Ricard to merge with Brown-Forman, leading to the collapse of the potential megamerger (inside.beer, 2026-04-28).
Addendum, September 18, 2026
Shortly after the takeover rumors surrounding Berentzen became official, the town of Haselünne was hit by a second major disruption. Private Kornbrennerei H. Heydt, another traditional local distillery, will cease production by the end of 2026. Managing directors Hendrik Heydt and Heinz Hermeling announced the closure during a staff meeting.
The company has already sold off its brand portfolio. Schwarze & Schlichte acquired Heydt, Heydt Manufaktur, Wippermann Wacholder, Schinkenhäger, and the recently launched Hell Yeah Butterscotch. Meanwhile, Feinbrennerei Sasse took over Abel, Hullmann, Ostfriesenwhisky, Ammerländer Löffeltrunk, and White Frisian.
Hermeling, who joined the management five years ago and previously worked for Essmann and DGL, is set to leave the company and will become the new managing director at Getränke Ahlers. The shutdown highlights the current struggles of mid-sized distilleries in Germany, driven by market concentration, declining alcohol consumption, and impending tax increases.
