FOUNDING
1843
WORLDWIDE
EXPANSION
1879
BOOM &
MODERNIZATION
1921
AHA LIQUEUR COMPANY
2009
AHA History
17th Century - 1843
The history of AHA EXCELSIOR dates back over 400 years. The Franciscan monks created this delicious drink at the Frauenberg monastery in Fulda. In the 17th century, the monks developed this special recipe, which consists of a complex mixture of various herbs from the Rhön region of Germany and all over the world. F.C. Aha Company was founded in 1843, when Franz Carl Aha acquired the recipe and the exclusive production rights.
1843 - 1913
After Franz Carl Aha's death in 1873, his widow Katarina Aha initially continued to run the company until 1878, when it was taken over by his son Hermann Aha and son-in-law Julius Steinbach. In the same year, the company acquired the old Hellersmühle at the Niedertor in Hünfeld and built the F.C. Aha liqueur production facility there.
Given the special quality of AHA EXCELSIOR, the company soon experienced a significant boom. Branches of the company appeared throughout Germany, and AHA producers delivered the liqueur to German settlements throughout the world. In Germany, it was enjoyed as a gastronomic delight.
1914 - 1994
Production paused during World War I. F.C. Aha began producing spirits again in 1921. The company quickly built upon the pre-war success of its traditional liqueur drink. The company continued to modernize, but our herbal liqueur beverage was unchanged.
In 1922, Heinrich Aha, Walter Aha, and Wigbert Schaefer assumed ownership of the company, which continued until Walter Aha became the sole owner in 1934.
Production of AHA EXCELSIOR once again paused during World War II. Production and product sales resumed, with some difficulty, during the post-war period. The separation of Germany into two countries cut off some important markets.
Carlheinz Aha, who took over the management of the company from his father Walter Aha in 1973, continued the family tradition. However, in 1994 he had to cede control of the company due to his age and the lack of a suitable successor.
1995 - 2008
Due to the great popularity of AHA EXCELSIOR, especially in the local region, the State of Hesse decided to assume ownership of the product and naming rights, effectively merging them into the nearby Schlitzer Distillery that it also owned. The production and sale of AHA EXCELSIOR and other AHA products continued and the quality of this herbal liqueur was maintained.
In 2006, the State of Hesse wished to sell the Schlitzer Distillery. In response, the cities of Schlitz and Hünfeld established a new joint company, “Schlitzer Korn-und Edelobstbrennerei GmbH”, to ensure that AHA EXCELSIOR and other AHA products would continue to be produced and sold there. The recipe for AHA EXCELSIOR, including all trademark rights, was transferred to the city of Hünfeld. This ensured the continuing production and quality of this liqueur product, which due to its elaborate recipe requires a high level of craftsmanship.
2009 – TODAY
In 2009, the city of Hünfeld decided to bring AHA EXCELSIOR back to its traditional home. They founded AHA Likör Gesellschaft, which was responsible for the marketing and distribution of AHA EXCELSIOR herbal liqueur and other AHA products. In 2016, Stadtwerke Hünfeld GmbH became the sole shareholder of the company.
In 2019, Michael Aha and Markus Aha purchased AHA Likör Gesellschaft mbH, bringing AHA EXCELSIOR back into the family. Thus the product has completed its full circle journey: from 1843 when Franz Carl Aha had bought the receipe and the sole productions rights to today, when the fith generation of the family now owns and manages the business. Michael and Markus are committed to continuing the production and sale of this centuries-old brand, and our family tradition, for present and future generations.
