Eichbaum Brewery in Mannheim to Close, 240 Jobs Lost

The privately owned Eichbaum brewery in Mannheim, founded in 1679 and the city’s oldest continuously operating business, announced it will cease operations after its rescue plan failed. The insolvency administrators confirmed that the brewery could not secure new financing, leading to a managed shutdown.

Approximately 240 remaining employees will be dismissed, and a proposed transfer company to aid workers will not be established. While the brand may survive—interest has been expressed by Park‑Bellheimer AG and the Welde brewery—production at the historic site will end by the end of September.

The closure reflects broader challenges in the German beer market, where consumption fell to a record low of 7.8 billion litres last year, driven by changing consumer habits and rising costs.