After 13 years: Rote Rosen” star Meziani becomes a rum producer!

After 13 years: Rote Rosen” star Meziani becomes a rum producer!

Hakim-Michael Meziani, known to many as the charming Ben Berger from the ARD telenovela “Rote Rosen”, is leaving the series after an impressive 13 years. Meziani played the role of the audience's favorite in around 3,000 episodes and said goodbye to his loyal fans on June 18, 2025 in episode 4184. The actor has decided to break new ground and get out of the “hamster wheel” of daily filming. Loud Ruhr24 He plans to concentrate on his family and his own business from now on.

The decision was not easy for the 57-year-old. “It was like winning the lottery,” is how he describes his time at “Rote Rosen”, which he has enjoyed since 2011. But Meziani is convinced that it is time for a new beginning. “I want to concentrate more intensively on my rum business,” he reveals. In collaboration with his friend Harry Geiseler, he created the “Alder Rum” brand and founded a small distillery in Hamburg-Bramfeld, where he produces organic and fair trade rum. The brand name comes from the alder wood aging of the rum - “Alder” means alder in English.

From acting to rum producer

The idea for rum production came to Meziani about four years ago while visiting a friend in Paraguay. The rum is made with molasses from an organic sugar cane factory and costs 34.90 euros. A special service: The rum can be refilled, meaning environmentally conscious customers benefit twice. “I don't have a lot of alcohol in my blood, but after drinking my rum you wake up without a headache,” he assures, as no artificial additives are used.

His exit from “Rote Rosen” is not only a farewell, but also the start of a new adventure. Meziani describes his time on the series as an "emotional rollercoaster" and sometimes referred to Ben Berger as "kind of like home." He leaves musical projects or guest appearances in the telenovela open, because the fans could perhaps look forward to a comeback, as the farewell to Ben and his partner Tina, played by Katja Frenzel, was not very dramatic. She doesn't leave the series voluntarily, but would have liked to continue.

The look into the future

From June 27th, “Rote Rosen” will take a summer break and make way for the European Women’s Football Championship. But while ARD is pursuing a new programming strategy, Meziani is ready to devote himself to his new challenge as a “professional rum maker” with enthusiasm. The reactions to his rum project have been consistently positive; fans are showing interest in sustainably produced spirits. This turn in his career could be an exciting new start for him.

For Hakim-Michael Meziani, switching to rum production will certainly be an adventure full of creative possibilities in which he can redefine himself both professionally and personally. And so the actor, who will be remembered by many as a heartthrob, may soon be featured as a rum maker on the labels of the coveted spirit while he fully lives out his new passion. These are the most beautiful stories – the ones about departure and the discovery of new paths.