Brother passes down Arquebuse de l?Hermitage secret recipe

Robert Rothammer is now the new distiller of Arquebuse de l’Hermitage in the German town of Furth bei Landshut.

On Feb. 15, the former Marist student from the school Cham Maristen Realschule officially replaced Brother Berthold Dinauer, who retired after serving for 30 years.

After West Central Europe provincial Brother Brendan Geary personally chose him during a visit to Furth, Provincial councillor Brother Michael Schmalzl signed and handed Robert an official letter with his appointment.

According to the website of the Klosterdestillation St. Josef distillery, the Marists “feel certain and happy to have found a man like Robert, who will continue in a professional way and with enthusiasm and interest the long monastic tradition.”

Br Berthold, who was responsible for safeguarding the recipe, which includes a mix of over 30 herbs, roots and flowers, shared it with the new distiller.   

Robert, who received a Marist education from the age of 13 and has had a good relationship with the Institute, will also take part in West Central Europe’s provincial chapter in April.  

Both Arquebuse and Hermite are delivered in three sized bottles with over 30,000 sales each year.

Arquebuse de l’Hermitage began in 1931, after the Institute’s sixth general superior Brother Diogène (Henri Becuwe) approved its production and distribution. It was originally made and sold in the Recklinghausen community, alongside non-alcoholic herbal drinks.

Pictured from left to right, Furth mayor Andreas Horsche, Br Michael, Robert and Br Berthold.