Famous German Mineral Water Brands

Bazaar West MAReceding glaciers, lots of rainfall, volcanic ground  and Alpine mountains provided Germany with ample water reservoirs and pristine aquifers all across the country.  Some wells have already been in use since the Romans settled along the Rhine River. Today, you will find hundreds of great tasting mineral waters brands in grocery stores and restaurants. Most are only to and consumed by the local population. But some brands rose to prominence as early as the 19th century all over the world:

Globally known

APOLLINARIS. When Georg Kreuzberg purchased a hill near Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (North of Koblenz) in the South-East Eifel in 1852, he expected to produce fine Rhineland wines, as many of his neighbors. Instead, he stumbled during excavations upon a natural water spring with natural carbonation. It tasted phenomenal. So he established a hand filling and bottling operation and named it after the patron saint of wine “Apollinaris.” By 1870 he sold over 2 million stoneware jugs of this luxury liquid to royal courts, wealthy mansions, hotels and restaurants all over Europe. The British judged it the “Queen of Tablewaters. Clear as cristal, smooth as silk and effervescent like champagne.” Soon Apollinaris made its way across the Atlantic and became a staple in fine American restaurants, even popular among Members of Congress and Washington lobbyist. In fact, the “Joe Rickey” (borbon or gin with Apollinaris) became a staple drink at Shoemakers, a well-known Washington bar, named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a well-known Democratic lobbyist. Over the next century, national and international sales ebbed and flowed. In 2006, the Coca Cola Company purchased this venerable brand,  abandoned exports all together and now sells Appolinaris only in Germany.

GEROLSTEINER. In the South-West Eifel town of Gerolstein (North of Trier), mineral water has always been the beverage of choice, as early as the stone age. In the early 1700s, water from Gerolstein gained some regional importance when Count Manderscheid cultivated one of the oldest spring, and selling mineral water jugs as far as Cologne. Over 150 years later, municipal and private corporations exploited the mineral-rich area around Gerolstein to extract carbonic acid, a vital ingredient in the burgeoning chemical industry during the industrial revolution. In 1887, Wilhelm Castendyck, a prominent mining manager and geologist purchased one of the mineral water springs, established a bottling factory as well as a red star and lion logo: the Gerolsteiner Water brand was born.  Soon, grocers all over Germany, in the UK and the US offered Gerolsteiner water, liked by many for it’s robust flavor and strong carbonation. Owned by the Bitburger Beer Holding group (Bitburg is a nearby town), Gerolsteiner water is exported all over the world and can be purchased at many large US retailers.

ROSBACHER. The Taunus mountains north of Frankfurt is equally well known for tasty mineral water. Here, the Rosbacher mineral spring became popular among Celtic and Roman settlers and written records from 1584 establish Rosbach as a favored non-alcoholic drink in the Renaissance. Spotting the late 19th century bottled mineral water boom in Germany, whiskey magnate Lord Dewars purchased the Rosbacher mineral spring and brought Rosbacher to the British Royal court in the early 20th century. The unique mineral composition of 2 parts calcium to 1 part magnesium and a large amount of sodium bicarbonate gives Rosbacher water a smooth, lightly sweet taste with low sodium and carbonation. A perfect water for mixed drinks and sports professionals. Rosbacher was a favorite of Tony Schumacher, the world famous race car driver who replenished the essential minerals of calcium and magnesium with Rosbacher water.  Today, Rosbacher water belongs to the family-owned Hassia Mineralwater group and is exported as far as Japan, the US and all over Europe. Travellers from Europe will be served Rosbacher water on all United and Lufthansa flights.

SELTERS. If you ever wondered about the orgin of the word Seltzer water (which is carbonated soda or tap water in the US), here is the answer: it derives from the Taunus mountain town of Selters (North West of Frankfurt), which came to fame as a natural mineral water spa in the Bonze Age and boomed in the 17th century. The mineral water’s high concentration of sodium bicarbonate, as well as elevated levels of calcium, chloride, magnesium, sulfate and potassium made it well suited as medicinal or healing water known to cure and prevented diseases. A drinkable version of Selters water was sold all over Germany and exported all over the world in the early 18th century,  long before the Appolinaris, Gerolsteiner and Rosbacher made it abroad. It did not take long that the word “Selters” became generic for all carbonated mineral waters, especially in North and East Germany; the slightly altered version of “seltzer water” established itself in the US and British language and the famous headache pill Alka Seltzer (Bayer) also derives its name from the historic town. Today, only one mineral spring in Selters is still active. It belongs to the SELTERS Mineralquelle Augusta Victoria GmbH, a subsidiary of the Radeberger Beer Group. Worthwhile is a visit to the Selter Water Museum.

The German Mineral Water Regulations and Classifications

Mineral water is the only food and beverage regulated by the federal government and the wells are controlled on an annual basis by federal inspectors. The companies that own mineral water springs and bottle the water must not add anything to the water. Thus, all mineral waters have slightly different mineral content and carbonation, which greatly influences the taste, texture and healthy properties of the water.

Hundred German Mineral Waters

  1. Aachener Kaiserbrunnen, Aachen
  2. Abenstaler Quelle, Elsendorf
  3. Adelheidquelle
  4. Adelholzener Alpenquellen, Siegsdorf
  5. Aegidiusbrunnen, Bad Honnef
  6. Alaska, Bad Liebenwerda
  7. Alasia Perle, Ebersburg
  8. Altmühltaler
  9. Alt-Bürgerbrunn, Moers
  10. Alvara, Bochum
  11. Alwa
  12. Amandus Quelle, Bad Rilchingen
  13. Apollinaris, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler
  14. Aqua Montana
  15. Aqua Nordic, Husum
  16. Aqua Römer
  17. Aqua Vitale, Sachsenheim-Spielberg
  18. Aquella, Bochum
  19. Aquintéll, Walsum
  20. Aquintus, Walsum
  21. Ardey, Dortmund
  22. Arienheller
  23. Artesia Quelle
  24. Artus
  25. Auenwald, Wöpse
  26. Azur, Frankfurt am Main/Berkersheim
  27. Bad Brambacher
  28. Bad Brückenauer (Staatl. Mineralbrunnen AG), Bad Brückenau
  29. Bad Driburger Naturparkquellen, Bad Driburg
  30. Bad Dürrheimer, Bad Dürrheim
  31. Bad Harzburger
  32. Bad Kissinger, Bad Kissingen
  33. Bad Lauchstädter Mineralbrunnen, Bad Lauchstädt
  34. Mineralquellen Bad Liebenwerda, Bad Liebenwerda
  35. Bad Liebenzeller, Bad Liebenzell
  36. Mineralquellen, Horn-Bad Meinberg
  37. Bad Pyrmonter
  38. Bad Suderoder Mineralbrunnen, Bad Suderode (Harz)
  39. Bad Vilbeler
  40. Bad Wildungener Georg-Viktor-Quelle, Bad Wildungen
  41. Bad Wildungener Helenenquelle, Bad Wildungen
  42. Barock Quelle, Dresden
  43. Basinus, Krönungsquelle Bad Windsheim
  44. Bellaris, Bellheim/Pfalz
  45. Berg Quelle, Schwollen
  46. Black Forest still, Peterstaler Mineralquellen GmbH, Bad Peterstal
  47. Brillant Quelle, Schwollen
  48. Brohler, Brohl-Lützing
  49. Burg-Quelle, Plaidt
  50. Burgwallbronn, Duisburg
  51. Caldener, Calden bei Kassel
  52. Carolinen Brunnen, Bielefeld
  53. Christinen Brunnen, Bielefeld
  54. Dauner Sprudel, Daun/Eifel
  55. Del Bon, Schwollen
  56. Diamant Quelle, Schwollen
  57. Dietenbronner Quelle
  58. Dreiser Sprudel, Dreis-Brück
  59. Eichensteiner, Naila
  60. Eisvogel
  61. Eifel-Quelle, (siehe Tönissteiner Privatbrunnen) Andernach
  62. Emsland Quelle
  63. Elisabethen Quelle, Bad Vilbel
  64. Ensinger Mineralquelle, Vaihingen an der Enz-Ensingen
  65. Eugenie, Bad Imnau
  66. Extaler
  67. Externstein Quelle
  68. Felsensteiner
  69. Filippo, Bad Imnau
  70. Fiorelino/Erftstadt
  71. Fontanequell, Kloster Lehnin
  72. Fortuna Quelle, Fulda-Eichenzell
  73. Förstina, Fulda-Eichenzell
  74. Forstetal Mineralquelle, Horn-Bad Meinberg
  75. Franken Brunnen, Neustadt a.d.Aisch-Bad Windsheim
  76. Frische Brise, Rhens
  77. Freyersbacher, Bad-Peterstal-Griesbach
  78. Fürst-Bismarck-Quelle, Reinbek
  79. Fürstenbrunn, Kloster Lehnin
  80. Gänsefurther
  81. Geotaler
  82. Gerolsteiner (siehe Gerolsteiner Brunnen, Gerolstein)
  83. Gerri
  84. Glashäger, Bad Doberan
  85. GMQ, Bad Rilchingen
  86. Göppinger Sprudel, Göppingen
  87. Gräfin Mariannen Quelle, Bad Rilchingen
  88. Granus, Aachen
  89. Grafenquelle, Osterode am Harz, Förste
  90. Güstrower Schlossquell
  91. Haaner Felsenquelle, Haan
  92. Harzer Grauhof, Grauhof (Harz)
  93. Harzer Kristall Mineralbrunnen, Langelsheim
  94. Hassia, Bad Vilbel
  95. Hella
  96. Helenen-Quelle, Rinteln
  97. Herzog-Quelle, Bochum
  98. Herzog Wigbert Quelle, Homfeld
  99. Herzogin Augusta, Husum
  100. Hirschquelle, Bad Teinach
  101. Hochwald Sprudel, Schwollen
  102. Höllensprudel, Naila-Hölle
  103. Hubertus
  104. Husumer-Mineralbrunnen, Husum
  105. Imnauer Apollo, Bad Imnau
  106. Imnauer Fürstenquelle, Bad Imnau
  107. Kirkeler Waldquelle, Kirkel
  108. Kondrauer Mineralwasser, Waldsassen-Kondrau
  109. König Otto-Sprudel, Wiesau
  110. Kronenquelle, Moers
  111. Krumbacher Mineralwasser
  112. Lesmona aus der „St. Rimbert-Quelle”
  113. Labertaler Heil- und Mineralquellen, Schierling (Oberpfalz)
  114. Lichtenauer, Lichtenau (siehe Hassia Mineralquellen)
  115. Löwensteiner
  116. Lohberg-Quelle Bochum
  117. Monta Essen Altenessen
  118. Marienbrunnen
  119. Margonwasser
  120. Mephisto-Quelle, Aachen
  121. Minaqua
  122. Mühringer Schlossquelle, Bad Imnau
  123. Nassauer Land, Emstaler Brunnen
  124. natürlich blau, Teamblue, Bad-Münder
  125. natürlich aktiv, Teamblue, Bad-Münder
  126. natürlich quell, Teamblue, Bad-Münder
  127. Neuselters
  128. NOÉ-Quelle, Erftstadt
  129. NordQuell, Trappenkamp
  130. Nürburg Quelle, (siehe Dreiser Sprudel)
  131. OberSelters, Bad Camberg-Oberselters
  132. Odenwald-Quelle (siehe Actris)
  133. Okertaler Mineralbrunnen, Oker (Goslar)
  134. Oppacher (siehe Actris)
  135. Ottilien-Quelle, Randegg (Hegau)
  136. Perling, Rhens
  137. Peterstaler, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach/Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach
  138. Pfälzer Silberbrunnen, Medard (Glan)
  139. PurBorn, (siehe Dreiser Sprudel)
  140. Reginaris, Mendig
  141. Remus Quelle, Niederrieden
  142. Rhenser, Rhens
  143. Rheinfelsquelle, Duisburg-Walsum
  144. Rhodius, Burgbrohl
  145. Rietenauer Heiligentalquelle,Aspach Rietenau
  146. Rhön-Sprudel, Ebersburg-Weyhers (Landkreis Fulda)
  147. Rilchinger, Bad Rilchingen
  148. Rohrauer
  149. Roisdorfer
  150. Römerwall
  151. Rosbacher, Rosbach (siehe Hassia Mineralquellen)
  152. Rottenburg Obernau
  153. Rudolfquelle (1,49)
  154. Salvus, Emsdetten
  155. Saskia Quelle (Lidl), Leißling
  156. Sawell, Emsdetten
  157. Schloss Quelle, Essen
  158. Schwarzwald-Sprudel, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach
  159. Schwollener Sprudel, Schwollen
  160. Selters
  161. Siegsdorfer Petrusquelle
  162. Silberbrunnen, Reutlingen
  163. Sinziger, Sinzig
  164. Spessart-Quelle, Biebergemünd
  165. Spreequell
  166. Staatl. Fachingen, Fachingen
  167. Staatlich Bad Meinberger, Horn Bad-Meinberg
  168. Staatl. Mineralbrunnen AG, Bad Brückenau
  169. Steigerwald, Oberscheinfeld
  170. St. Jakobus, Kloster Lehnin
  171. St-Medardus, Medard (Glan)
  172. Steinbronn-Quelle, Bochum-Wattenscheid
  173. Steinsieker-Brunnen, Löhne-Westfalen
  174. St.-Margarethen Heilwasser, Löhne-Westfalen
  175. St. Gero (siehe Gerolsteiner Brunnen)
  176. Stifts Quelle, Essen
  177. St.-Leonhards-Quelle
  178. Syburg Quelle, Dortmund
  179. Sylt Quelle, Sylt
  180. Taunusquelle
  181. Teinacher, Bad Teinach-Zavelstein
  182. Teusser Mineralbrunnen, Löwenstein
  183. ThalQuell, Schwollen
  184. Thüringer Heidequell, Pößneck
  185. Thüringer Waldquell, Schmalkalden
  186. Tönissteiner, Andernach
  187. Überkinger, Bad Überkingen
  188. Ü-Motion
  189. Urbacher (siehe Coca-Cola Company)
  190. Ursteiner
  191. Vilsa, Bruchhausen-Vilsen
  192. Vogelsberger Mineralbrunnen
  193. Weisensteiner Quelle, (siehe Schwollener Sprudel)
  194. Wiesentaler-Mineralbrunnen Waghäusel
  195. Wittenseer Mineralbrunnen
  196. Wüteria Mineralquellen
  197. Vivre, Naila
  198. Vulkania Heilwasser, (siehe Dreiser Sprudel)

Source: Wikipedia “Mineralwasser”

Stay Connected!

Sign up for the German Foods newsletter

Get the latest recipes, news and special offers...

You have Successfully Subscribed!