Jörg Lehmann has been named as an interim successor at the helm of German brewer Kulmbacher Brauerei.

Last week, it was revealed that Kulmbacher CEO Markus Stodden is retiring and will leave the business at the end of October.

Kulmbacher, which is majority-owned by Paulaner Brauerei, will be led on an interim basis by Lehmann together with chief financial officer and chief technology officer Mathias Keil until the position of CEO is filled.

Paulaner Brauerei is 70% owned by the Schörghuber Unternehmensgruppe, with the remaining 30% held by the Dutch brewer Heineken.

Lehmann previously stood as CEO of Paulaner from 2018 to 2023, but left following a disagreement about the best approach to take the company towards “sustainable profitable growth” as well as the brewer’s position regarding its organisation and employees.

He had been chief technical officer of Kulmbacher since 2013 before heading to Paulaner.

Speaking on his latest appointment, Lehmann said he was "very connected to the Kulmbacher Brauerei and all of my colleagues. That is why it is a matter close to my heart to make my commitment and all my know-how available during this transition phase and thus continue the successful story”.

Jörg Biebernick, chairman of the supervisory board of Kulmbacher Brauerei and CEO of Paulaner, said: “In the 23 years [Lehmann] has been on the board, he has made the Kulmbacher Brauerei fit for the future with a forward-looking organisational structure, necessary efficiency measures and a clever sales and marketing strategy.”

He added: “I am very pleased that we have been able to win Dr Jörg Lehmann for this temporary but exciting organisational task. His willingness to take it on is also an expression of his commitment to Kulmbacher and to our brewery family.

“I have no doubt that he and Mathias Keil will maintain and further develop the successful position of the Kulmbacher Brauerei in a challenging market.”