{
  "id": 8863013,
  "title": "Sazerac: „Southern Comfort“-Hersteller greift nach Berentzen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/sazerac-southern-comfort-hersteller-greift-nach-berentzen",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:10:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-konsumgueter/sazerac-southern-comfort-hersteller-greift-nach-berentzen/100255133.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Munich - The long-established German spirits producer Berentzen is reportedly in the process of selling its assets to the US company Sazerac. The family-owned business, best known for its whiskey liqueur \"Southern Comfort,\" announced on Monday that Sazerac has agreed to pay 53.3 million euros for the Haselünne, Emsland company. The US firm, which owns over 500 alcohol brands, aims to leverage Berentzen's presence in Europe to gain access to the European market and potentially use Berentzen's bottling facilities. Sazerac's executive Jake Wenz expressed confidence that the planned merger would enable them to produce and distribute spirits products for Europe and beyond, both under Berentzen and Sazerac brands, as well as trade mark concepts, with greater flexibility and speed. Berentzen has been struggling with declining demand for alcoholic beverages, with name-brand spirits making up just over two-thirds of the group's 163 million euro revenue last year, the rest coming from mineral water, juice, and lemonade. In 2025, Berentzen managed to return to profitability, generating 2.4 million euros in profit.",
  "summary": "Der Alkoholkonzern Sazerac aus New Orleans hat Interesse an dem niedersächsischen Unternehmen. Die Aktie des Apfelkornherstellers legt aufgrund des Übernahmeangebots zu.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}