Germany’s Brewery Count Drops by 93 in Five Years
Economic pressures, energy costs, and shifting consumer trends challenge small breweries, while some regions buck the national decline.
- Germany now has 1,459 breweries, a decline of 93 since 2019, reversing decades of growth driven by the craft beer boom.
- Bavaria saw the largest drop, losing 50 breweries, though it still leads with 598, the most in the country.
- Economic factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, rising energy costs, and reduced consumer spending, have hit small and traditional breweries hardest.
- Some regions, like Saxony and Thuringia, experienced slight increases in brewery numbers, contrasting the national trend.
- The industry faces future challenges, including achieving climate neutrality by 2045 and adapting to growing demand for alcohol-free beer.
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