MEET THE FAMILY
THE DAMPFWERK DISTILLERY
Est. 2016
Our brand stands for innovation, creativity, and enduring simplicity. The Dampfwerk is a family-owned distillery located in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and our goal is straightforward: to craft exceptional spirits for enjoying with friends and family.
It begins with a name: Dampfwerk. Like most of our endeavors, it's not the easiest name to pronounce, but it embodies the essence of our process. "Steam works” is the translation, reflecting the key role of steam in our distillation of premium spirits.
But we are more than just a name; we are a global family that values the simplicity of good food and spirits. To craft these spirits, we imported a handcrafted copper still from the Schwarzwald in Baden, Germany. Like the farmers in Baden, we take pride in building relationships with local orchards and suppliers to produce the best spirits possible under strict standards.
The idea to start a distillery is not one that we came up with overnight, but instead was formed over many years, as we wondered why so much of the German food culture was lost in the US. This dream to recreate the food culture is our passion and is the driving force behind our story to create premier craft spirits. The idea to start a distillery wasn't something we came up with overnight, but developed over many years. We wondered why so much of the German food culture was lost in the US. This dream to revive the food culture fuels our passion and drives us to create top-quality craft spirits that we are proud to share with family and friends.
OWNER | RALF
Ralf, a native of Muhldorf, Germany, spent 25 years building and managing businesses that serve the global food and beverage industry.
“I wanted to put that experience to the test and build something that I am personally passionate about—combining traditional European-style ‘edelbranntweine’ craft spirits with the creativity of the American market,” says Ralf. He now oversees the distillery and finds himself in the lab concocting his next distillation idea.
CO-PROPRIETOR (aka HR) | MARY
Mary, a Minnesota native and retired senior executive at Delta Air Lines, brings expertise in operations, design, and construction to The Dampfwerk Distillery. She is passionate about the brand and maintaining family peace while pushing us to be the best. A practical force behind the scenes, she reminds us: “If you’re going to make anything, make me a great gin.”
HEAD DISTILLER | CHRISTIAN
Christian leads production and operations at The Dampfwerk Distillery, overseeing every stage from fermentation to final bottling. With a focus on precision, consistency, and innovation, he ensures each spirit reflects the distillery’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship. His leadership keeps the heart of Dampfwerk running smoothly and with German efficiency!
CREATIVE DIRECTOR | BRIDGIT
Bridgit oversees branding, marketing, cocktail lounge operations, and distribution strategy at The Dampfwerk Distillery. With a sharp eye for design and a deep understanding of the spirits industry, she shapes the distillery’s public presence and drives growth across retail, on-premise, and direct-to-consumer channels.
INDI | Distillery Dog, long-haired blue Weimaraner
DENLEY | Distillery Dog, Belgian Tervuren
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