Korn (liquor)
Encyclopedia
Korn is a German
colorless spirit
(U.S.: liquor) that is usually made from fermented rye
but may also be made from corn
, barley
, or wheat
. Korn differs from vodka
in that it is less rigorously filtered, which leaves more of the cereal taste in the finished spirit.
Korn is the cheapest kind of spirit
available in Germany
, which has given it a somewhat dubious reputation. Nonetheless, it is very popular, especially in northern Germany.
Traditional Korn contains about 32% ABV
(64 proof), Kornbrand no less than 37.5% ABV (75 proof). The popular (double Korn) has at least 38% ABV (76 proof). A weaker variety of Korn that has less than 30% ABV can be a mixture of fruit flavors and Korn. The term (“clear one”) refers to the fact that Korn is a clear liquid. is a generic term and can apply to Korn or Doppelkorn.
Korn is usually drunk neat. In some places, a beer is often ordered together with a (“short one”), i.e., with a shot
of Korn. This combination is called a “Herrengedeck” (“gentlemen’s cover”) in most of Germany.
Some popular brands of Korn in Germany are Berentzen, Doornkaat, Fürst Bismarck, Mackenstedter
, Nordhäuser, Oldesloer, and Strothmann.
. Nordhausen decreed the first purity law for Korn, and it is still produced there.
In 1799 Otto von Bismarck
's father, Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, established a distillery at Schönhausen
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
colorless spirit
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
(U.S.: liquor) that is usually made from fermented rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
but may also be made from corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, barley
Barley
Barley is a major cereal grain, a member of the grass family. It serves as a major animal fodder, as a base malt for beer and certain distilled beverages, and as a component of various health foods...
, or wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
. Korn differs from vodka
Vodka
Vodka , is a distilled beverage. It is composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made by the distillation of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruits....
in that it is less rigorously filtered, which leaves more of the cereal taste in the finished spirit.
Korn is the cheapest kind of spirit
Distilled beverage
A distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
available in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, which has given it a somewhat dubious reputation. Nonetheless, it is very popular, especially in northern Germany.
Traditional Korn contains about 32% ABV
Alcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
(64 proof), Kornbrand no less than 37.5% ABV (75 proof). The popular (double Korn) has at least 38% ABV (76 proof). A weaker variety of Korn that has less than 30% ABV can be a mixture of fruit flavors and Korn. The term (“clear one”) refers to the fact that Korn is a clear liquid. is a generic term and can apply to Korn or Doppelkorn.
Korn is usually drunk neat. In some places, a beer is often ordered together with a (“short one”), i.e., with a shot
Shot glass
A shot glass is a small glass designed to hold or measure spirits or liquor, which is either drunk straight from the glass or poured into a mixed drink....
of Korn. This combination is called a “Herrengedeck” (“gentlemen’s cover”) in most of Germany.
Some popular brands of Korn in Germany are Berentzen, Doornkaat, Fürst Bismarck, Mackenstedter
Mackenstedter
The Mackenstedter Distillery produces Mackenstedter Korn in the village of Gross Mackenstedt nearBremen, Germany. It also produces flavored vodka.-History of the firm:...
, Nordhäuser, Oldesloer, and Strothmann.
History
Korn (or Branntwein) was first mentioned in the early 16th century, when its distillation became a competition among local producers in the Imperial City of NordhausenNordhausen
Nordhausen is a town at the southern edge of the Harz Mountains, in the state of Thuringia, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Nordhausen...
. Nordhausen decreed the first purity law for Korn, and it is still produced there.
In 1799 Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck
Otto Eduard Leopold, Prince of Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg , simply known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian-German statesman whose actions unified Germany, made it a major player in world affairs, and created a balance of power that kept Europe at peace after 1871.As Minister President of...
's father, Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, established a distillery at Schönhausen
Schönhausen
Schönhausen is a municipality in the district of Stendal in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, located 70 km north of the state capital of Magdeburg. It is the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde Elbe-Havel-Land.- History :...
.