POWERED BY POWERFUL WOMEN. Leinie's is releasing a new beer in honor of Theresa "Rose" Leinenkugel in time for Women's History Month. (Photo via Facebook)

In honor of Women’s History Month and set to release on International Women’s Day, Leinenkugel’s Rose Gose beer is sweet and salty, and limited – Rose’s Gose will be tapped for the first time at the Leinie Lodge for the special Rose’s Gose launch event on Wednesday, March 8.

Kicking off at 3pm that day, the Rose’s Gose release party will allow attendees samples of the brew, sweet treats and photo ops, and a limited edition 32-ounce crowler can. After seeing the first keg of the gose-style beer tapped, folks can try the beer, made with Door County cherries and pink Himalayan sea salt.

“By sourcing local with the Door County cherries, folks are going to notice a light, almost pink color to the beer. The aroma will have a hint of saltiness and sweetness, and the taste will be very crisp,” said Tony Bugher, Leinenkugel’s president. “A little sour, a little salty, but really refreshing and unique.”

With an ABV of 4%, the gose-style beer will surely be on the refreshing and lighter side, but perhaps more intriguing is the story behind the brew and its name.

As most locals – and anyone who's taken a Leinie's tour – know, Leinenkugel’s has a long history of grit and teamwork, the family business making sure to point out the brewery would not be where it is today – or perhaps exist at all – without Theresa “Rose” Leinenkugel, daughter of founders Josephine and Jacob Leinenkugel. 

Born in 1867, Rose began working full-time at the family brewery after the eighth grade and also taught at Chippewa Falls junior and high schools for 20 years. One of her most notable impacts, though, came during Prohibition.

“During Prohibition, (Leingenkugel’s) was making sodas and tonics, and when Prohibition was repealed, we just weren’t equipped (to make beer again). Thanks to Rose, with her commitment and investment, Leinenkugel’s was able to get back up and operational,” Tony explained.

The investment made by Rose included the mortgaging of her home in order to financially boost Leinenkugel’s back into business, something Katherine Leinenkugel also did in order to support the brewery and point it back toward pre-Prohibition success.

“Had that not happened, you and I probably wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Tony said. “Rose’s Gose is a nod to her, but not only her; the women of our past who were leaders that paved the road for the future and those right now in our brewery.”

Today, 43% of Leinenkugel’s employees are women, though Tony said the company hopes to see that number grow to 50%.

Proceeds made during the release of Rose’s Gose will be rounded up at the register, with those funds going towards the nonprofit Pink Boots Society. The organization assists and supports women and non-binary individuals in the brewing business, and on March 8 with its Collaboration Brew Day, sees brewmakers from all over the world donate collaboration beer proceeds to its scholarship and educational programs.

“We felt we needed to honor and recognize, specifically in March with Women’s History Month, the women at Leinenkugel’s past and present,” Tony said.

Join the Leinie Lodge team on March 8 from 3-7pm for the Rose’s Gose release event.