"Energy prices are rising" — one of the oldest breweries in Germany is closing

One of the oldest breweries in Bavaria, Schlessle Beer, located in the city of Neu-Ulm, announced its closure due to rising costs for raw materials and electricity, the tabloid Bild reported today, August 15.

"After 334 years, one of the oldest breweries in Bavaria is closing. The brewery "Schlessle Beer" from Neu-Ulma will stop production at the end of December, as it is no longer able to cope with market conditions," the publication notes.

The private brewery opened in 1690. The systematic development of the centuries-old business allowed the owners to turn one of the oldest breweries into a thriving production, producing up to 150 thousand liters per year. However, the "golden years" of Schlessle Beer have long passed, the tabloid emphasizes.

"Beer consumption is falling, and prices for raw materials and electricity are rising. The brewery has been causing us losses for ten years now," said co—owner Christa Zoller.

According to her, the annual volume of beer production has decreased to 100 thousand liters, which is a third less than in 2018. Currently, the brewery produces ten varieties of beer, a pack of 12 bottles with the "flagship" variety of the drink costs 13.50 euros.

"This is too low a price. The cost should be almost twice as high, then we could spend money on new equipment again. But it is almost impossible to maintain such a price in the market," Zoller said.

As the co-owner emphasized, another pressing problem for private breweries is bureaucracy, forcing production owners to "think about whether they want to maintain their independence" from large corporations.

As reported by EADaily, earlier the management of one of the largest German automakers Volkswagen announced the possible closure of part of the assembly lines in Germany, as well as the likely dismissal of more than 100 thousand employees.