Increasing Corona Infections Is Making It Difficult For The German Breweries

Increasing Corona Infections Is Making It Difficult For The German Breweries

The closure of restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs and clubs as a result of increasing corona infections is making it difficult for the more than 1500 German breweries. "Overnight, draft beer sales came to a complete standstill, including part of the bottle business," said the chief executive of the German Brewers' Association, Holger Eichele. "And nobody knows how things will go on now." There are some breweries that sell their beers mainly through retailers. So far, they have come through the crisis better. "But for most companies the trading business cannot even begin to compensate for the heavy losses in sales in the catering trade," said Eichele. "For the majority of the predominantly family-run and medium-sized breweries in Germany, the situation is now dramatic, if not existential." According to the industry association, Germany is the largest brown nation in Europe and number five worldwide with total beer sales of over 92 million hectoliters of beer - excluding non-alcoholic beers. Aid from the federal government is required to prevent the brewery from dying. The commitment to support the hospitality industry in distress with financial aid is an important signal. "But at the same time it must be ensured that partner industries that are similarly hard hit also receive support that ensures the survival of these businesses," said Eichele. Suppliers, such as breweries or wholesalers, also urgently need help and a perspective. "Many of these family-run businesses are already on the brink of the Corona crisis," said Eichele.