Braunschweig’s 400‑Year‑Old Brauerei Wolters Files for Self‑Administered Insolvency

The historic Hofbrauhaus Wolters, founded in 1627 in Braunschweig, has filed for insolvency in self‑administration. The company cites a sustained decline in beer sales – the German market fell 6 % to 7.8 billion litres, the lowest level since reunification – and sharply higher costs for energy, raw materials and production. Despite the filing, the brewery will keep operating, with all wages and salaries protected, and a court‑appointed trustee overseeing the process while the existing management remains in charge.

Wolters plans a strategic turnaround that emphasizes its regional market and an expanded range of non‑alcoholic beverages. External experts are guiding the restructuring, which aims to stabilise the business and attract a new investor without interrupting production.

The insolvency filing reflects broader pressures on German traditional breweries, which face changing consumer habits and competition from alcohol‑free alternatives.