Miller Brands Germany (MBG) International Premium Brands, a manufacturer and distributor of beer, has acquired liqueur maker E Eduard Meyer from the Schwarze & Schlichte group.

The deal allows MGB to strengthen its bitter division by adding the herb liqueur brand Meyer’s Bitter.

Meyer’s is a full-bodied herb liqueur distilled using a secret traditional recipe from more than 40 selected herbs and roots, and is available in two varieties: ‘German Woodland and Field Herbs Liqueur’ and ‘German Alpine Herbs Bitter.’

MBG already owns 50% stake in E Eduard Meyer, which it acquired three years ago, reported Drinks International.

However, the Meyer’s Bitter brand had been owned by Schwarze & Schlichte since 1999.

With the acquisition, the company aims to raise the brand internationally through its MBG UK, MBG Middle East and MBG North America units.

MBG managing director Andreas Herb was quoted by the website as saying that the acquisition of the long-established German brand Meyer’s Bitter enhances the company’s know-how in the spirits market.

“Our partners in non-European countries in particular have been pushing for a strong spirit brand in the bitter segment – and thanks to our acquisition of the original herb spirit we are now well placed to satisfy this request,” Herb added.

“Our goal is to achieve sales of one million bottles of Meyer’s Bitter in the next five years.”

MBG ventured into spirits business five years ago and currently has brands such as Three Sixty Vodka, Scavi & Ray Grappa, Dos Mas Tequila, and Sears Gin.