Germany: Oettinger Brauerei confirms closure of Braunschweig brewery

The iconic Oettinger Brauerei has confirmed that it will permanently close its production facility in Braunschweig (Lower Saxony) by the end of 2025 — marking the end of more than 150 years of brewing history in the city, StartupNews.fyi reported on November 20.

Originally scheduled for spring 2026, the shutdown has now been moved forward to December 2025, leaving around 110 of the 120 employees without jobs. Only a small group of ten workers will be transferred to Oettinger’s logistics division.

The decision, first reported by the Braunschweiger Zeitung and later confirmed by BILD, has sent shockwaves through Germany’s brewing community. The Oettinger Brauerei, one of the country’s most recognizable beer producers, cited a combination of declining sales, high energy costs, and changing consumer habits as the main reasons for the closure.

According to company representatives, the Oettinger brewery in Braunschweig struggled with declining production volumes and outdated equipment. “The preservation of all jobs would have been our preferred scenario,” a company spokesperson told BILD. “Unfortunately, the market situation no longer allows it.”

The Oettinger Brauerei isn’t alone in facing challenges. Germany’s beer market has shrunk by an estimated 7.5 percent in 2025, continuing a downward trend that began years ago. Rising energy costs and reduced consumer spending have put immense pressure on traditional breweries nationwide.

Demographic changes have also played a key role. Industry experts say that Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is consuming significantly less beer than previous generations. Instead, many younger adults prefer cocktails, alcohol-free beverages, or other lifestyle drinks — a shift that’s forcing major brewers like Oettinger to rethink their business models.

The Oettinger Brauerei Braunschweig site dates back to 1871 and had become part of the Oettinger network after several mergers over the years. There was brief hope that an investor or beverage manufacturer might take over the location, but according to Oettinger, those negotiations ultimately failed.

CEO Stefan Blaschak, who has been leading a major restructuring effort since 2023, said the closure was unavoidable. “Oettinger is transforming from a traditional brewery into a modern beverage company,” he said. “Unfortunately, Braunschweig’s outdated facilities no longer fit into that vision.”

The company had been attempting to modernize its production system and diversify its product range, including non-alcoholic and mixed beverages, but the Oettinger brewery decided that keeping the Braunschweig plant open was no longer financially viable.

The closure announcement has hit workers hard. The NGG union (Food, Beverages, and Catering) and the works council fought to save the site, arguing that with proper investment, the Oettinger Brauerei could have remained competitive. However, management’s final decision left little room for negotiation.

“Even though the plant is old, it could have continued operating if modernization funds had been provided,” union representatives said. “This closure is not just about profits — it’s about people and tradition.”

Despite the loss of its Braunschweig branch, the Oettinger Brauerei will continue operations at its main facilities in Oettingen (Bavaria) and Mönchengladbach (North Rhine-Westphalia). The company remains one of Germany’s largest beverage producers, filling approximately one billion bottles and cans each year and employing around 800 people across its sites.

With an annual output of 6.6 million hectoliters, Oettinger remains a key player in the German beverage market. Known for its affordable pricing and no-frills marketing strategy, the brand has built a loyal customer base over decades. However, the loss of the Braunschweig brewery marks a major symbolic setback for one of Germany’s oldest beer producers.

Industry observers say the closure of the Oettinger Brauerei reflects a larger trend in Germany’s beer industry — one of consolidation and reinvention. With per capita beer consumption declining, even household names like Oettinger are adapting by investing in new product lines, from alcohol-free beers to energy drinks.

Still, for the people of Braunschweig, the end of the Oettinger brewery marks more than an economic loss — it’s the end of a proud brewing tradition stretching back to the 19th century.

As the Oettinger Brauerei prepares to shut down its Braunschweig operations, it symbolizes both the challenges and transformations facing the entire brewing sector. While the company pivots toward innovation and efficiency, the closure leaves behind a legacy of craftsmanship, community, and 150 years of German brewing history.