Holsten brewery’s move to new site delayed again

Fearing teething problems at its new plant will impact sales, Germany’s Holsten brewery has delayed again relocating production from its current downtown Altona/Hamburg site to its new location on the outskirts.

Initially, the Holsten brewery, which is owned by Carlsberg, was to pack up and move earlier this year. Then the new brewery was to go on-stream in March 2019. In September 2018 it was finally announced that Holsten will only start brewing at its new site in November 2019.

The reasons for the delay are said to be purely practical. Had Holsten moved in spring next year, any teething problems would have negatively impacted Holsten’s sales during peak season. That was a risk the brewery was not prepared to take on.

Also, there was no pressure on Holsten to vacate its old 85,000 sqm site. Although Carlsberg sold the real estate to a developer two years ago, construction work for 1500 flats, offices, retail outlets and a hotel is not to start before 2021.

Of Holsten’s 450 employees, 70 will lose their job because of the relocation.