45 fewer breweries in Germany than in 2019

The corona pandemic and energy crisis ended the brewery boom in Germany that began at the turn of the millennium. In 2022 there were only 1,507 breweries nationwide, 45 fewer than in the pre-crisis year of 2019, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office. This was the third year in a row of declines.

"For many years, the term brewery death had died out, but unfortunately we are now experiencing a sad trend reversal," said the managing director of the German Brewers' Association (DBB), Holger Eichele, on Monday. "More and more breweries are under massive pressure - the Corona crisis went seamlessly into an energy price crisis."

Until the corona pandemic, the number of breweries in Germany had increased continuously, by more than 270 since the turn of the millennium, according to the DBB. "The month-long lockdowns for the hospitality industry and the cancellation of many thousands of events have caused the draft beer market to collapse completely," said Eichele. "These losses have brought many breweries to the limits of their existence." Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine a good year ago, the companies have been confronted with massive cost increases.

According to the information, the federal states with the highest number of operational closures since 2019 are Bavaria (minus 24), North Rhine-Westphalia (minus 14) and Hesse (minus 10). Bucking the trend, the number of breweries in Schleswig-Holstein has grown slightly, even in times of crisis. In Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony it remained unchanged.

The DBB sees the greatest challenge for the brewing industry this year in the persistently high cost pressure and inflation - in addition to securing an affordable energy supply. Above all, sharply rising costs for raw materials and preliminary products as well as personnel and logistics are a burden on companies, which will also affect beer prices in retail and gastronomy.

In view of the difficult overall situation, the DBB appeals to politicians not to allow any further burdens. "Companies that have their backs to the wall after three years of crisis need more planning security and less bureaucracy," said Eichele.

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