WERNECK – The Werneck Brewery has survived a lot: world wars, economic crises and decades of declining beer consumption.
But after 400 years in existence it has finally met a challenge it can't overcome: the coronavirus outbreak. The brewery, which traces its history to 1617 and has been owned by the same family since 1861, is closing for good, taking with it 15 full-time jobs and more part-time positions.
Also gone is a chunk of local history and tradition in Werneck, a town of 10,000 people in the brewery-rich southern state of Bavaria.
German brewers fear its demise is the leading edge of more closures as the virus outbreak threatens the existence of the country's many local producers of the national beverage - community institutions,