Molson Coors released an announcement to Milwaukee-based radio station WTMJ citing its plans to close the historic Chippewa Falls Leinenkugel's brewery. (File photo)

Molson Coors plans to close two of its breweries in Wisconsin, including the landmark Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls, WTMJ radio in Milwaukee reported Wednesday. Former Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. President Dick Leinenkugel said none of his family members were made aware of the decision prior to the announcement. 

According to the Molson Coors statement, while the Leinie Lodge and its pilot brewery will remain open year-round, the Chippewa Falls brewing operation will cease.

Here’s the full announcement from Molson Coors Chief Supply Chain Officer Brian Erhardt below:

Following the end of a large contract brewing agreement and amid an ongoing canning line investment project at our Milwaukee brewery, we’ve made the decision to close two of our smaller brewing operations in Wisconsin and centralize statewide production at our main site in Milwaukee. While never easy, these choices are made with much thought and consideration to position Molson Coors for continued success in Wisconsin and beyond. Ever since Leinenkugel’s joined Miller Brewing in 1988, the brand and Chippewa Falls have been a cherished part of our company and culture. That’s not changing. Leinie’s Summer Shandy and the rest of the portfolio will continue to play a role in our premiumization plans, and the Leinie Lodge and adjacent pilot brewery will remain open year-round for guests to enjoy and experience the Leinenkugel’s beers and history. 

The Chippewa Falls Leinenkugel's facility has been a major facet of the city and region for more than 150 years, and first began its operations in 1867. WTMJ reports the planned closure of the brewery is Jan. 17, 2025, according to a message shared with Molson Coors distributors. The radio station also reported that Molson Coors also plans to close its 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee, which also brews Leinenkugel’s. 

According to the Molson Coors website, the Chippewa Falls brewery employs about 120 people and produces roughly 185,000 barrels of beer annually. While current production figures for the Leinenkugel’s range of beers – which include stalwarts such as Original and Summer Shandy as well as season brews – were not readily available, the brand’s reach has slipped in recent years. According to a 2021 article on Brewbound.com, Leinenkugel’s production had shrunk from more than 1 million barrels in 2015 to 550,000 barrels in 2020.

Charlie Walker, president and CEO of the Chippewa Economic Development Corp., said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon that he was surprised by news of the closure. “There was no inkling in the community,” he said. However, Walker noted that a strike last year by some of the brewery’s union workers had raised questions about the plant’s economic viability. (About 40 members of Teamsters Local 662 went on on strike for about seven weeks in the summer of 2023 before reaching a new contract with the company that included higher wages.)

Brewing is a competitive business, noted Walker, who suspects that rising supply costs have squeezed Molson Coors’ margins. However, he welcomed the news that the Leinie Lodge and its associated pilot brewery would remain open as a tourist draw for the community. And he’s hopeful that the vacant brewery will become a magnet for future investment. “What I’m hoping that some entrepreneurs come up and offer a check and they say we can do a microbrewery,” he said, referring to the success of the Minhas Brewery in Monroe, which is located in the former Joseph Huber Brewing Co.

Read Dick Leinenkugel’s statement to WTMJ on the announcement below:

I am deeply saddened by the decision of the Molson Coors leadership team to close our Chippewa Falls brewery and home. For over 157 years and six generations of family management, Leinenkugel’s has been brewing great beers for our legions of fans throughout Wisconsin and across the country.

I feel for all impacted employees and their families in Chippewa Falls and trust that the Molson Coors leadership will do everything possible to ease their pain during this challenging time.

I know the Molson Coors leaders don’t take these decisions lightly. It’s clear to me that they determined that the savings resulting from the closure were significant enough to justify this difficult decision.

None of our family members were aware or counseled ahead of the decision. It’s a sad day for our family and our fans. In 2017, we came together in Chippewa Falls to celebrate our brewery’s 150th anniversary. It was the defining moment of my career in beer. Alongside my brothers, Jake and John, and members of our fourth, fifth, and sixth generations of family, we proudly toasted our beer drinkers, retail customers, and distributors to thank them for their loyalty and support. Today, on behalf of the Leinenkugel family, I thank them again and will toast them this evening with a Leinenkugel’s Original and a tear in my eye.

The Leinenkugel family sold the brewing business to Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing in 1988. Through a variety of corporate joint ventures and sales, Miller eventually became SABMiller, then MillerCoors, and ultimately Molson Coors. The latter firm produces scores of brands, including Coors, Miller Lite, Blue Moon, Molson, and many other. Molson Coors’ profit for the year ending June 30 was $4.67 billion.