Contrary to the national trend, more breweries in Saxony

Contrary to the nationwide trend, the number of breweries in Saxony has increased slightly in recent years. Seven new breweries were added between 2019 and 2024, according to the German Brewers' Association (DBB), citing preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office. Last year, this brought the total to 84. The long-term trend is also on the rise: In the past 30 years, the number has far more than doubled (1995: 32).

Nationwide, on the other hand, the trend is clearly downwards: there were 93 fewer breweries in Germany last year than in 2019 - 50 of which were in Bavaria alone. However, the Free State still has by far the most breweries with 598. In addition to Saxony, there was also an increase in Thuringia (plus 4) and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (plus 3). According to the DBB, the decline also affected many traditional breweries. In total, there are still 1,459 breweries.

Breweries facing major investments

The reasons for this include the rise in energy prices and general consumer restraint. In addition, many breweries will be making major investments in the coming years in order to become climate-neutral by 2045 at the latest. "If a brewery switches from gas to electricity, 80 percent of the facilities will have to be newly built, and some of the new technologies required have not even been developed yet," said DBB President Christian Weber.

"This aspect is already playing a major role for many companies when it comes to deciding how to proceed. Whether electricity costs can be planned and how they develop will be a question of fate for the entire German brewery landscape in the coming years," emphasized Weber.