Leinenkugel’s brewery in Wisconsin is closing

The historic Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls is closing after more than 150 years of operation in the western Wisconsin town as parent company Molson Coors centralizes brewing operations in Milwaukee.

“While never easy, these choices have been made with great care and consideration to position Molson Coors for continued success in Wisconsin and beyond,” Brian Erhardt, the company’s chief supply chain officer, said in a statement.

No timeline was given for the brewery’s closure.

The Leinie Lodge and associated pilot brewery will remain open in Chippewa Falls, Erhardt said.

The production brewery, which still has several thousand original bricks from its founding in 1867, has around 120 employees and produces 185,000 barrels of beer a year.

The Leinenkugel family sold to Miller in 1988, which was later incorporated into beer giant Molson Coors.

This was told by former brewery president Dick Leinenkugel radio station WTMJ he is “deeply saddened by the Molson Coors management team’s decision to close our Chippewa Falls brewery and home.”

“For over 157 years and six generations of family management, Leinenkugel’s has brewed great beer for our legions of fans throughout Wisconsin and across the country,” his statement said. “None of our family members were aware or advised prior to the decision. It is a sad day for our family and our fans.”