Just a few years after acquiring one of Poland’s oldest breweries, the Żywiec Group — owned by Dutch giant Heineken — has announced the end of production in Namysłów. The decision mirrors the recent closure of the Leżajsk brewery and raises concerns about the future of Polish brewing. Around one hundred people are expected to lose their jobs.
Starting in early 2026, Żywiec Group will end production at the Namysłów Brewery, the company said in an official statement. The reasons cited include a difficult market environment, declining beer sales, and rising costs and taxes. The move is a major blow to the employees and the local community, for whom the brewery — with roots dating back to 1321 — has long been not just a key employer but also a regional symbol.
Acquisition and Closure — a Worrying Pattern
Żywiec Group, majority-owned by Heineken, acquired the Namysłów Brewery in 2019 for 500 million złoty. Even then, concerns were raised about the brewery’s future under international ownership. Those fears have now come true, and the decision to halt production fits a troubling pattern in Żywiec Group’s recent actions.
A similar situation occurred with the Leżajsk Brewery, which was closed in 2023 despite protests from employees, local government officials, and the community. In both cases, the company explained the shutdowns as part of a “production reorganization” and the need to adapt to changing market conditions. While the beer brands themselves are expected to remain in Żywiec Group’s portfolio, their production will be moved to larger company facilities such as Żywiec, Warka, and Elbląg.
Local Authorities and Workers React
The decision by Żywiec Group’s management came as a surprise to Namysłów’s authorities, who say they received no prior warning. Namysłów’s mayor, Jacek Fior, expressed disappointment and concern for the roughly one hundred employees set to lose their jobs.
In a media statement, the mayor voiced hope that this would not mark the end of brewing in Namysłów:
“Once again, our brewery finds itself at a crossroads, and I believe this is only a turn, not an end. We all know that the brewery has been operating since 1321. After the Wieliczka Salt Mine, it is the second oldest enterprise in Poland that still exists and produces. I would not want its long and rich history to end under the current owner.”
Żywiec Group has assured that brewery employees will receive “a full severance package and additional support agreed upon with trade unions.”
The company also announced that it is in talks with potential investors regarding the sale of the brewery’s assets, though no details have been disclosed.
What’s Next for Polish Breweries?
The closure of yet another historic brewery by a foreign corporation raises questions about the future of Poland’s brewing heritage. On one hand, Żywiec Group declares continued investment in its remaining facilities, including Elbląg; on the other, it continues to shut down centuries-old breweries.
In 2001, the group closed the Łańcut and Wrzeszcz breweries — founded in 1834 and 1871 respectively — after acquiring them in 1999. In 2004, the Dutch parent company shut down the Warsaw Breweries, which had operated since the 19th century, and in 2006 it closed the Bydgoszcz Brewery.
The fate of Namysłów, it seems, is the latest chapter in a long-running story of consolidation and decline within Poland’s once-vibrant brewing tradition.