Farewell Toast: Dick Leinenkugel Will Retire from Family Brewery at Year’s End
sixth-generation family member Tony Bugher will be new president
V1 Staff |
A man whose name is literally synonymous with beer in the Chippewa Valley will retire at the end of the year as president of the brewery his family founded 155 years ago.
Dick Leinenkugel has worked for the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. for 35 years, the last seven of them as president. Molson Coors, the brewery’s corporate parent, announced Monday that Leinenkugel would step down at the end of the year. The 64-year-old Leinenkugel will be replaced as president – and “de factor face of the brand” – by his 45-year-old nephew, Tony Bugher.
“I am just thrilled that another descendent of Jacob Leinenkugel will now lead our brewery,” Dick Leinenkugel said in a media release. “The more family members we can have be part of this business, the better. Working with the Molson and Coors families has been a blessing, especially when it comes to understanding the value of heritage in a business.”
Bugher has worked for Leinenkugel’s for about eight years and is currently associate marketing manager. “Each generation of Leinenkugel’s leadership has made a significantly positive impact throughout our 155 years of brewing history,” Bugher said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to have that opportunity to continue the legacy alongside my uncle John and cousins Katie and Matt Leinenkugel. I appreciate all that I’ve learned from Dick throughout the past eight years and look forward to the future of our family’s storied brand that we love so much.”
Bugher’s mother, Kate, is one of Dick’s four siblings and served as Leinenkugel’s first tour guide when the brewery opened to the public in 1967.
Dick Leinenkugel replaced his brother, Jake, at the brewery’s helm in 2014. During his career with the company, he was responsible for rolling out Summer Shandy, a breakthrough brew that became the first Leinie’s product available in all 50 states.
“Over his tenure, he has guided the brewery through a series of new products, including recent additions such as Lemon Haze IPA, Toasted Bock, Chocolate Dunkel, and Juicy Peach,” the company statement said. “He’s also continued to grow attendance at the Leinie Lodge, which today welcomes more than 125,000 visitors each year. And he spearheaded the project to build out the pilot brewing system that will help enable Leinenkugel’s to remain relevant in the years ahead.”
Read the entire announcement here on the Molson Coors blog.
