Falling beer consumption and higher costs have led Germany’s Kulmbacher to decide to end operations at its Scherdel brewery in the east of the country.
According to Kulmbacher, the brewery has been under pressure “for some time”.
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In a statement, the firm cited declining beer consumption and “changing consumer behaviour”, as well as “sharply increased costs”.
Kulmbacher said sales of Scherdel beers had “halved in the last 20 years”. As a result, production is “no longer working at full capacity”, it added.
The brewery is set to close by the end of 2026. Kulmbacher acquired the business in 2003.
Thirty-five jobs at the site are set to be affected but Kulmbacher said it plans to offer all staff “vacant or short- to medium-term positions at other locations or support them in their search for a new job”.
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By GlobalDataDr. Jörg Lehmann, Kulmbacher board spokesman, said: “Together with the Hof employees, we have fought intensively for years to preserve the brewery operation in Hof.
He added: “We have examined various options for the location. However, economic operation in Hof is no longer possible. Even if it is very difficult, we have to take this painful step and plan to close the Hof site.
“We are very grateful to our employees in Hof for their commitment in recent years and will continue to count on them in the coming months.”
Kulmbacher said it will retain a “selection of Scherdel beers” in its range.
Lehmann said: “The Scherdel beers have a tradition of almost 200 years, which we absolutely want to continue.
“That’s why we will continue to offer the most popular Scherdel beers in the future, which are brewed according to the original recipe at our location in Neuensalz.”
