Historic Eichbaum Brewery in Mannheim shuts after 347 years

The privately‑owned Eichbaum brewery in Mannheim, founded in 1679 and long regarded as one of Germany’s oldest brewing houses, will cease operations. After entering self‑administration bankruptcy in autumn 2025 and a court‑supervised restructuring that began in January 2026, the company was unable to secure an investor, prompting the decision to liquidate.

Director Uwe Aichele called the announcement “the darkest hour in 347 years,” and mayor Christian Specht expressed disappointment that a potential buyer’s offer could not be finalized. Approximately 240 employees are to receive termination notices, ending a centuries‑long tradition in the region.