FAU creates its own gin

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FAU Aromatix gin created to mark the 40th anniversary of the FAU Scented Garden using botanicals grown there (image: FAU/Katrin Simon)

The taste of Erlangen’s Scented Garden

November 25, 2019

To mark the 40th anniversary of FAU’s Scented Garden, the Botanical Garden has collaborated with the prize-winning local malthouse Weyermann from Bamberg to create a very special, high quality London dry gin which captures the wide range of the aromas in the garden.

‘The FAU Aromatix has a strongly pronounced regional character, as the botanicals used to make it were harvested by hand in our Scented Garden, where they develop particularly intense essential oils thanks to the full sun and the dry soil. At the same time, it embodies the cosmopolitan nature of both the drink itself and our University,’ explains Claus Heuvemann, Technical Director of the Botanical Garden. The spirit containing 43 percent alcohol has been created exclusively for FAU in cooperation with the gin-making experts from the Weyermann malthouse in Bamberg and together with lavender expert Dr. Elke Puchtler.

Three people standing around a table in the Botanical Garden
Prof. Dr. Günter Leugering, FAU Vice President Research, Claus Heuvemann, Technical Director of the Botanical Garden and the Scented Garden, and Prof. Dr. Friedrich Paulsen, FAU Vice President People, taste the FAU Aromatix Gin, which has been created to mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the FAU Scented Garden using botanicals grown there (image: FAU/Uwe Müller).

‘The name FAU Aromatix Gin refers directly to the aromatic plants from our garden, and proceeds from the sales of the gin will help care for them,’ emphasises Heuvemann. Paulsen adds, ‘The -X in the name indicates that the gin is that little bit different, more innovative and smarter, like the Gauls from the famous comic book series, and, of course, just like our FAU.’

FAU Aromatix Gin bottle
Image: FAU/Katrin Simon

FAU Aromatix gin for sale

The gin is selling at a price of 38 euros (including tax) for 0.5 litres FAU Aromatix in a limited edition, high-quality apothecary bottle. A share of the profits will go towards the Scented Garden, helping to promote its diverse fauna and flora.

The FAU Aromatix Gin will be available during normal business hours from the household goods store Greiner Haushaltswaren (Hauptstraße 65-67, Erlangen, Monday to Friday 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday 10 am to 4 pm) and the tourist information office (Goethestraße 21a, Erlangen, Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday 10am – 2 pm). It can also be purchased at the accompanying Gin-gredients exhibition as follows:

  • During the tour of the exhibition on 24 November 2019 from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm at the entrance to the greenhouses
  • During the distilling tour on 7 December 2019 from 1 pm to 3.30 pm at the entrance to the greenhouses
  • During the talk by Dr. Michael Richter ‘Ostwärts’ on 10 December 2019 from 6 pm to 7 pm in the Kollegienhaus

Information on where and when you can buy the gin as well as details on placing a collective order is available on the website of the Botanical Garden and posters advertising the Gin-gredients exhibition:  www.botanischer-garten.uni-erlangen.de

FAU Aromatix Gin Ingredients
FAU Aromatix Gin, created with botanicals from the FAU Scented Garden to mark its 40th anniversary (image: FAU/Uwe Müller).

Further information on the exhibition:

Large glass containers filled with liquid and herbs.
Maceration of flowers and herbs in the Botanical Garden. (Image: Katrin Simon)

‘Gin-gredients’: The botanicals in gin & tonic

The accompanying exhibition explores connections to pharmaceutical and aroma research and will be displayed at the entrance to the greenhouses at the Botanical Garden until 2 February 2020.

Entrance to Botanical Garden, Loschgestraße 1, 91054 Erlangen; opening hours Tues – Sun 9.30 am – 4 pm; closed from midday on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve; entrance free of charge

Contact:

Claus Heuvemann
Phone: + 49 9131 8522452
claus.heuvemann@fau.de