Overview
- On Friday, July 10, 2026, Veltins said its first-half output rose 1.3% to 180 million liters but added that growth depended on buying the malt drink brand Karamalz.
- Veltins reported its core Veltins Pils fell 4.3% in H1 2026, said its Meschede plant is nearing capacity, and confirmed it is open to further acquisitions of brands or sites.
- Warsteiner has announced plans to cut almost one third of its capacity, will close the Herford brewery, and said the Paderborn site could be shut if no buyer is found.
- Veltins estimates a proposed federal sugar tax could raise costs by about €12 million a year for products such as Fassbrause, Radler and Karamalz, prompting reviews of sugar levels and possible sweetener use.
- Industry data show the German beer market has lost roughly 4 million hectoliters since 2022 and tumbled further in early 2026, raising the risk of more insolvencies and site sales for small and medium brewers and reducing product choice for consumers.