Leinenkugel's Chippewa Falls Brewery Closes Despite Family Offer to Purchase
The original Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wis., closed its doors on Jan. 17 after Molson Coors declined an offer from the Leinenkugel brothers to buy it.
Jake and Dick Leinenkugel, sixth generation family members, told the local Fox News affiliate they made an offer to buy the brewery, but that offer was declined. Financial details were not disclosed. Molson Coors said it would close the small brewery back in November 2024.
Molson Coors will continue to use the plant as a pilot brewery and will continue to operate the adjacent Leinie Lodge as a tasting room. Leinenkugel’s beer will be brewed at Molson Coors facilities in Milwaukee, marking the end of a 157-year legacy and resulting in the loss of 56 jobs, according to Fox 9.
The Leinenkugel family sold the brewery to Miller Brewing, then a subsidiary of Philip Morris Cos., in 1988, and the regional brand became a national hit. Miller itself merged with Coors and then was acquired by Molson in 2016.