The world's largest beer company, AB InBev, has started brewing its popular "Corona Extra" beer at the Hasseröder Brewery in Wernigerode, located in the Harz region of Germany. This move is part of AB InBev's growth strategy, aiming to bring production closer to the market and reduce logistical costs. Production has already commenced, although the company has not disclosed specific timelines or volumes for market release. The output from Wernigerode will serve not only the German market but also neighboring export markets.
Significant investments have been made in the Hasseröder facility to accommodate the brewing of Corona Extra, originally a Mexican beer.
Due to Germany’s strict beer purity laws, which limit ingredients to malt, hops, yeast, and water, AB InBev had to obtain special permits since Corona Extra’s recipe includes corn and rice.
As the editorial team of inside getraenke discovered in 2021, AB InBev plans to brew 400,000 hectoliters of Corona Extra in Wernigerode, bypassing the German Purity Law. Unlike the Mexican original, AB InBev will use natural enzymes from barley malt instead of technical enzymes. Additionally, the beer will be produced with a proven combination of ingredients, including corn, rice, papain, and ascorbic acid. (inside.beer, 28.11.2022) At that time, this news was dismissed as Russian fake news by other industry publications.
Next to Mexico, Corona Extra is already brewed in several other countries, including China, Brazil, Colombia, Belgium, and the UK.
AB InBev, headquartered in Belgium, also produces other renowned brands like Stella Artois, Bass, and Beck’s in various global facilities, including the US. Similarly, the Asahi Group recently announced plans to brew its Italian beer brand, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, in the US at Molson Coors' Albany, Georgia brewery. (inside.beer, 2.6.2024)
The Wernigerode brewery is considered one of the most efficient in AB InBev’s European network. In addition to Corona Extra, the company’s German portfolio includes popular brands such as Hasseröder, Diebels, Beck's, Spaten and Franziskaner.
