Bavarian Brewery Scherdel to Close Hof Location, Historic Beer to Continue Production Elsewhere
Hof, Germany – The Scherdel brewery in Hof, Bavaria, will close its doors, ending beer production at the location but ensuring the continuation of its nearly 200-year-old beer tradition. The brewery’s iconic “Schlappenbier,” tied to one of Germany’s oldest shooting and craft festivals, faced uncertainty following the proclamation, but will continue to be brewed at Kulmbacher’s Neuensalz facility in Saxony’s Vogtland district.
Despite the closure, the Scherdel brand will not disappear. “They would therefore continue to be brewed even after the brewery closed – but at the kulmbacher location in Neuensalz,” said a company representative. The decision impacts 35 employees, who will be offered positions at other Kulmbacher sites. The closure underscores a broader trend of economic pressure facing German breweries amid declining beer consumption and rising raw material costs.
Scherdel is particularly renowned for its “Schlappenbier,” a special brew available only around the annual hofer Schlappentag festival. the future of this regional specialty was initially unclear.
Germany has seen a years-long decline in beer consumption, while simultaneously experiencing increases in the cost of raw materials. This combination is creating significant financial strain for breweries across the country,forcing tough decisions about production and staffing. (Source: dpa)
