Many regions fear a gas crisis in the autumn – one of them: breweries. The lack of gas will cause problems not only for winemakers, but also for suppliers such as glass makers.
Veltins boss Michael Huber is now sounding the alarm: “If there is no Russian gas, we will have a big problem: without gas, without beer!” He says “handlesblatt,
According to Huber, a great sword of Damocles would loom over the beer-makers: “a gas ban.”
Brewery, in which the beer’s precursors are heated, are mostly gas-powered. Veltins has bought a supply of oil for five weeks to switch from gas to oil in an emergency – but a large number of brewers are hardly able to switch to other energy sources such as oil. According to the German Brewers Association, approximately two-thirds of German breweries rely on gas.
In addition, gas supply is also a core issue for important upstream suppliers of brewers. “We need about 50 to 60 million new bottles every year. If something breaks in there, the supply is completely disrupted,” Huber said, referring to the glass manufacturers.
A lack of glue or a lack of labels can also bring production to a halt. This is why Veltins bought goods ahead of time for 30 million euros that would have otherwise been ordered at short notice. Warehouses are rented for these quantities.
Anyone who makes their money with beer is currently facing real problems, Huber explains: “You need fluidity and stamina.”
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