Pregler

Traditionally distilled fruit spirit, called Pregler, whose raw material, distillation and finalization is confined to the political district of Lienz (East Tyrol). 
 
 
Record Number: 39
 
Disclosure Date
The tradition to distil Pregler (fruit spirit) in East Tyrol can be traced back to the period of Empress Maria Theresia (18^th   century).
 
 

Photo: Kulinari...

Title
Pregler 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
Traditionally distilled fruit spirit, called Pregler, whose raw material, distillation and finalization is confined to the political district of Lienz (East Tyrol). 
 
Name of product, Product class
Spirit drinks
 
Name of region
Political district of Lienz, East Tyrol, Austria
 
Field of search
Agriculture and Spirit drinks
 
Name of information provider
The association “Osttiroler Preglerbauern – Dölsach”(East Tyrolean Pregler farmers of Dölsach) 
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources 
20 distillers in East Tyrol
---
 
Grantee(s), holder(s),
assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors

- History:
The tradition to distil Pregler in East Tyrol can be traced back to the period of Empress Maria Theresia (18^th   century) when, in the framework of the distilling right, each farm was granted the right to distil 300 litres of “Schnaps” (spirits) annually. However, Pregler had certainly been distilled earlier.
Distillation was then the only possibility to obtain alcohol -  for medical purposes and, of course, for drinking.
 
- Region:
Political district of Lienz, East Tyrol
 
- Pregler:
“Pregeln” is even today a common term for the distillation of “Schnaps” in general. In former times “Schnäpse” (spirits) made by farmers were generally referred to as Pregler.
The term “Pregler” is derived from the verbs “Pregeln”, “Prägeln” or ”Brägeln”, which mean to fry, boil or stew.
The old apple cultivars and the original perry pear cultivars used for the production of Pregler grow particularly well on the sun-exposed hills of East Tyrol with their long, sunny days and chilly nights.
 
- Utilization:
Pregler is made of two-thirds apples and one third pears; mostly windfall is used. Adding other fruits is not permitted. The percentage of alcohol by volume is between 39% and 45%.
 
In order to further improve the quality of the Pregler, 20 distillers established the Dölsach-based association of “Osttiroler Preglerbauern” (East Tyrolean Pregler farmers) in 1991.
 
- Protection:
Pregler is protected for the geographical area of Lienz (East Tyrol) in Codex Alimentarius Austriacus, Chapter B 23: Spirits. Annex 1: Protected Designations.
 
Key Words 
Agriculture and Spirit drinks, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, East Tyrol, region, Pregler, fruit spirit, spirit drinks, Schnaps 
 
Bibliography / References
- Codex Alimentarius Austriacus. Chapter B 23: Spirits. Annex 1: Protected Designations.
- Osttiroler Preglerbauern - Dölsach 
  http://www.doelsach.at/vereine/index.php?we_objectID=108 
- Der Bauernpregler- Eine Osttiroler Schnapsspezialität 
  http://www.tirol.at/xxl/_articleId/488708/_area/414512/_subArea/456573/_subArea2/456599/_subArea3//_lang/de/ i ndex.htm
- Hochprozentiges Obst 
  http://www.gebirgswelt.de/news/14355  
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at 
No
 
Regional contact 
Osttiroler Preglerbauern Dölsach
(Association of the East Tyrolean Pregler farmers of Dölsach)
President Josef Mair
9991 Dölsach, Hnr. 191
Phone: 0043-4852/67828
 
Authors: Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

15.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4