Museum of the Meyer distillery – House of the Distiller in Châtenois

The Distiller’s House is a small private museum dedicated to Alsatian fruit brandies and whisky, located in Châtenois, which belongs to the Meyer distillery. Even though I had passed by it several times, I must admit that I was a little late in visiting it because the outside of the building didn’t really appeal to me: I was a little afraid of being a tourist trap. It was a rainy day that finally decided me to go there, and what a nice surprise! I really enjoyed the visit and would recommend it.

Distillerie Meyer, a family business in Alsace

The Meyer Distillery is a family history: it was created by Fridolin Meyer in 1958. Just that! This Alsatian company with the label Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant is located in the hamlet of Hohwarth, a few kilometers away in the Vallée de Villé. It is now the most awarded distillery in France at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris since 1989, with many gold medals…

In creating the Distiller’s House Museum, the Meyer brothers, Lionel and Arnaud, wanted to share their passion for this family tradition of distillation by opening a museum in order to pay tribute to the Val de Villé, the historical cradle of distilleries in Alsace, but also to share the distillation processes and the know-how of the house.

Visit of the store and the museum – My opinion

The Distiller’s House has two parts: a store of the Meyer distillery (free access, of course) and a museum area (for a fee). The museum is not huge but of good size and the place, all new, very pleasant. It traces the history of distillation in Alsace, and particularly in the Val de Villé, and then looks at the distillation process.

The explanatory panels are interesting and the explanations very clear. Several objects involved in distillation such as magnificent copper stills from the family distillery are also presented throughout the exhibition.

The only thing that is a bit surprising is that the film is in a way an apology for inebriation as a vector of artistic creation, with examples of great authors and artists. Taken at face value, it’s funny, but a little surprising all the same! In any case, this visit is very pleasant even if you are not a fan of brandy or alcohol in general!

Tasting: brandy, liqueur, whisky or Alsatian pastis?

After the visit of the museum, the tasting of the products of the Meyer distillery is included in the price of the ticket. It is possible to taste the traditional white spirits (many eaux de viemarc de gewurztraminer,…), of liqueurs but also Alsatian whisky (a superior Blend and a Single Malt) or the aperitif range of alcohol with artisanal pastis, gin and Alsatian spritz, launched a few years ago by the Meyer distillery .

Do not hesitate to leave with a good bottle as a souvenir, a small liqueur as a digestive (in moderation, we agree!), it always pleases, no?

My photos of the Distiller’s House in the Val de Villé in Alsace