Foundation Stone Laid for €25m New Diekirch Brewery

The “Dräieck Dikrech” restoration project has entered its construction phase with the laying of the first foundation stone of the Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch.

Representatives of the Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch yesterday marked a decisive moment in the development of the site by laying the first foundation stone of the brewery in the presence of Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Etienne Schneider, and Deputy Mayor of Diekirch, Claude Haagen.

The laying of the foundation stone kicked off the first phase of construction which includes the building of the new Brasserie Mousel-Diekirch and some adjacent infrastructures. “Dräieck Dikrech” partners will continue planning how the site is to be restored, ensuring completion of the first renovation and reconstruction phase.

According to John Penning, Director of Saphir Capital Partners, Matexi’s partner in the Coogee S.à r.l. joint venture: “Dräieck Dikrech is one of Luxembourg’s most ambitious urban renewal projects. The construction of the brewery marks an important milestone in the life of the restoration project”.

Arnold Blondeel, Director of the Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch said “The new brewery will allow us to brew Mousel and Diekirch beers in preferential conditions. Facilities in the new brewery will meet the most up-to-date energy efficiency requirements and allow for more sustainable brewing facilitating a reduction of more than 15% in electricity consumption. Reuse and new sanitation initiatives will lead to a 20% reduction in water consumption and in particular a 75% reduction in CO2 emissions.”

While the brewery is being built – scheduled to take less than a year – Diekirch and Mousel beers will continue to be brewed in Diekirch in the existing brewery. A production test phase is planned for the summer of 2018 in the new brewery before the final fittings are installed in the second half of 2018.

Retrospective on how the project developed

June 2010 – Saphir Capital Partners together with other Luxembourg entrepreneurs purchase the Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch site with the aim of maintaining the brewing of Luxembourg’s favourite beer at Diekirch and restoring the historic site.

May 2012 – An application for the private sector development project is submitted to the relevant authorities and presented to the public at a press conference.

April 2013 – The project is approved by the authorities.

March 2014 – Saphir Capital Partners forms a joint venture (Coogee S.à r.l.) with Matexi Luxembourg (subsidiary of the Belgian group Matexi) which takes over the day-to-day management of the project.

27 June 2014 – The execution agreement is submitted for approval by Diekirch’s town council.

23 October 2015 – Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel-Diekirch announces an investment of €25 million in the new brewery.

9 June 2016 – Coogee S.à r.l. obtains the first building permit from the municipal authorities.

26 September 2017- Laying of the first foundation stone of Brasserie de Luxembourg