Holsten to go?
Germany’s fifth-largest brewing group Bitburger (output 5.8 m hl in 2002) and Denmark’s Carlsberg have been rumoured to be front runners in the race to buy Christian Eisenbeiss’ stake in Holsten. Should Eisenbeiss, who controls close to 50 percent of Germany’s second-largest brewing group (output 10.4 m hl in 2002), accept the EUR550 million offer, Holsten could be broken up. In that
case Carlsberg would grab the standard beer brands Astra, Holsten, Lübzer and Feldschlösschen, whereas the privately-owned Bitburger would go for the so-called premium brands König and Licher.
According to media reports, Eisenbeiss and the two buyers are very close to signing the papers.5 percent to 5.8 million hl.7 percent drop in its output in cans.3 percent to EUR90.5 million..