Sad end: Scherdel brewery with 200 years of tradition closes!

Sad end: Scherdel brewery with 200 years of tradition closes!

In a sad turn of events for the beer lovers among us, the Scherdel Brewery in Hof, which has been around for almost 200 years, has announced that it will be closing at the end of 2025. This reports fr.de. The manufacturer, known for its traditional Schlappen beer, is forced to take this step after the Kulmbacher Group, which took over the brewery in 2003 following bankruptcy, determined that economic operations could no longer be maintained. Beer sales have more than halved in the last two decades, which means a bitter loss for many car mechanics and leisure organizers.

The economic pressure is enormous. Rising costs for raw materials, energy and personnel are making life difficult for many breweries. In addition, beer consumption in Germany has been declining for years, which further exacerbates the situation. However, the 35 employees affected by the closure can hope for job offers at other Kulmbacher Group locations, which is a small ray of hope in this difficult situation.

Traditional brewing craft in danger

Many people will especially miss the Schlappen beer, which is only available during the Hofer Schlappen Day. This specialty has garnered numerous fans year after year, but the pressure the brewery is under is constant. The closure marks the end of an almost two-century-old tradition that played an important role not only for the Hof region. Many citizens have memories associated with the brewery that go back to their childhood.

The Scherdel brewery was not only a symbol of regional brewing art, but also a piece of culture that many Kölsch fans and beer lovers appreciate. The Kulmbacher Group's decision will make waves because such closures make it clear how fragile the situation has become for many breweries in Germany. Another good example of the decline in the beer sector is the situation with other smaller breweries, which showed how difficult it is to compete in an ever-changing market.

future of employees

The Kulmbacher Group has promised to offer its employees alternatives at other locations. However, it remains to be seen how many of the 35 affected employees will actually take advantage of the opportunity to continue working in the beer business. It remains to be hoped that other companies in the industry will also respect this tradition and not simply throw their employees into the deep end.

Finally, the question remains whether and how the region can deal with this loss. One answer may lie in promoting local craftsmanship and supporting other local breweries willing to fly the brewing flag. The future of beer in Germany may deserve a greater effort to avert similar fates.