E-Malt.com News article: Germany: One of Germany’s oldest breweries Hofbrauhaus Wolters files for bankruptcy

Hofbrauhaus Wolters, one of Germany's oldest breweries, has filed for bankruptcy, citing soaring operating costs and a sharp decline in beer consumption, IOL reported on June 24.

Founded in 1627, the brewery has entered self-administration insolvency proceedings, allowing current management to remain in place while a court-appointed administrator oversees its restructuring. The company said it plans to shift its focus towards producing non-alcoholic beverages.

The brewery attributed its financial difficulties to rising operating costs and a nationwide decline in beer consumption, which fell to a record low in 2025. According to the Braunschweiger Zeitung, soaring energy prices have placed additional pressure on German breweries.

Germany's economy has faced sustained pressure from high energy costs since the government began reducing its reliance on Russian oil and gas imports following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. More recently, higher global oil prices linked to the conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran have added to cost pressures.

Germany entered recessions in 2023 and 2024 before recording near-stagnant growth in 2025. Economic growth is forecast at about 0.5% this year. Many German manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have reported challenges linked to higher energy costs and weaker demand.

At the same time, the German government has increased spending on defence and military support for Ukraine. Since 2022, Berlin has committed more than €96 billion (about US$109 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine while also launching a €100 billion programme to modernise its own armed forces.

Last year, Germany's central bank warned that the country faced a record budget deficit, citing increased defence spending among the contributing factors.


25 June, 2026