975-Year-Old Brewery Just Announced a Drastic Business Move
The world's oldest monastic brewery is changing hands, and, unfortunately, it's due to plummeting beer sales in Germany.
According to multiple reports, Weltenburger, which has been around since 1050, is being sold to Munich-based Schneider Weisse, established in 1872.
The facility, an active monastery sitting on the banks of the Danube in Bavaria, is owned by the Catholic church, according to The Guardian. Nearly 50 years ago, the Benedictine monks brought help from the Bischofshof brewery to take over production of the brand's award-winning lager. As part of the sale, Schneider Weisse is also purchasing Bischofshof.
No Longer a Sustainable Business
The Guardian reports that talks about a sale had been discussed for years, especially given the fact that the church was operating at a loss to keep the famed brewery afloat.
According to one report, domestic beer sales in Germany have been tanking for some time, putting significant pressure on the approximately 1,500 small- and mid-sized breweries.
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It's reported that domestic beer sales in Germany have fallen by around 25 percent over the past 15 years. Last year alone saw a significant plunge, as a new generation focuses more on wellness while turning away from alcohol.
Landing the Perfect Buyer
According to The Guardian, a strategic plan was implemented to help avoid a two-prong approach that would prove devastating.
In an interview with the managing director at Weltenburger and Bischofhof, Till Hedrich shared that Schneider Weisse's purchase of the two iconic brands meant staving off an investor with "no connection to the region."
The transaction, expected to be completed by January 2027, also brings confidence that Schneider Weisse will preserve the Bavarian brewing tradition.
But it's not all great news.
Reports indicate that while Weltenburger will operate its business as usual with 21 employees, the same cannot be said about Bischofshof. The company, founded in 1649, will shutter at the end of the year, and its 56 employees will relocate to Schneider.