After just under a year as interim CEO of Kulmbacher Brauerei AG, Dr. Jörg Lehmann is set to return to Munich to take over the leadership of the Brewery Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in Munich at the beginning of January 2026. He succeeds Dr. Michael Möller, who will retire on 31 December 2025 after 25 years at the helm of the historic state brewery.
Möller’s successor was announced by the Free State of Bavaria, which oversees the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus through the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and Home Affairs. Lehmann, a qualified brewing engineer with extensive experience in the German beer industry, was considered an ideal candidate due to his in-depth understanding of both traditional and modern brewing practices. His previous roles include Technical Director and later CEO of Paulaner Brewery Group , as well as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Kulmbacher Brewery AG. He also served as President of the German Brewers Association from 2017 to 2023.
Lehmann’s career took an unexpected turn in early 2024 when he was abruptly dismissed as CEO of Paulaner Brewery Group, a position he had held since 2018 (inside.beer, 5.4.2023). Soon later, he surprisingly returned to Kulmbacher Brauerei AG (inside.beer, 30.7.2024), where he had previously served as Technical Director and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, now stepping in as interim CEO
The search for a permanent successor to Markus Stodden at Kulmbacher BreweryAG has already proven challenging over the past months. Originally intended to proceed quietly after Stodden’s departure in 2023, the interim appointment of Dr. Jörg Lehmann was seen as a temporary yet stabilizing solution. However, with Lehmann now confirmed to take over leadership of the Staatliches Hofbräuhaus in München as of January 2026, the succession issue in Kulmbach gains new urgency and weight.
Lehmann expressed his enthusiasm about his new position, stating that the unique blend of tradition, modernity, and myth that defines the Hofbräu brand is what excites him most about this role. The appointment comes at a strategically important time, as the state brewery navigates an increasingly competitive international market.
