Economy Beer

Leinenkugel Brothers Say Molson Coors Won’t Consider Their Attempt to Buy Brewery

family sought NDA to negotiate purchase of 158-year-old C.F. brewery

Tom Giffey |

The Chippewa Falls brewery. (File photo)
The Chippewa Falls brewery. (File photo)

Two former presidents of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. say that the brand’s corporate owner has rejected their attempt to negotiate the purchase of the historic Chippewa Falls brewery founded by their great-great grandfather.

In a statement released to the media Wednesday – two days before the brewery is scheduled to cease production – brothers Jake and Dick Leinenkugel said they had “submitted a formal proposal to Molson Coors, requesting to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement … (to) allow us to begin discussions on acquiring the Chippewa Falls brewery, with the goal of maintaining its operations under Leinenkugel family leadership.” However, they continued, Molson Coors CEO Gavin Hattersley declined to pursue at NDA and said the company was “fully committed to the Leinenkugel’s brand.”

Last November, Molson Coors announced it was closing the flagship 158-year-old brewery in Chippewa Falls, but would continue to operate the nearby Leinie Lodge, a gift shop and pilot brewery that served as a visitors center for tours of the historic brewery just across Duncan Creek.

The original Jacob Leinenkugel established the brewery in 1867, and in 1988 his descendants sold it to Miller Brewing. The family retained management of the brand, however, and in the ensuing decades what was once a regional brew reached all 50 states. However, sales have declined in recent years, and last November the brand’s current corporate parent, Molson Coors, said it was consolidating production of Leinie beers in Milwaukee.In their statement, the Leinenkugel brothers said they were “profoundly saddened” by the closure because of its impact on the brewery’s 56 employees, their families, and the community as a whole.

“On January 8,” the statement continued, “we followed up with Mr. Hattersley to emphasize that our long-standing relationship over the past 23 years could serve as the foundation for an open and transparent conversation, even without an NDA. We reiterated our willingness to discuss acquiring the brewery’s assets and preserving its operations in Chippewa Falls.

“As of today, January 15, we have not received a response to our follow-up email. Despite this, we remain optimistic that Molson Coors’ leadership will reconsider our proposal and engage in meaningful discussions about safeguarding this important part of our heritage.”

In an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, Dick Leinenkugel – who retired from the brewery in 2022 – said the family would “be willing to either brew Leinenkugel specialty beers under contract for Molson Coors or under an entirely different name if the company was willing.”

“Certainly there would be job opportunities, possibly for those that have lost their positions to be part of that,” he told WPR. “That would be terrific if we were able to do that. We want to see the brewery operations continue in Chippewa Falls, rather than be mothballed.”

Last week, the brothers got together with current and former brewery workers at the Leinie Lodge. “It was kind of a surreal gathering,” Dick Leinenkugel told the radio network. “In one way, it felt like a funeral wake, but in another way, it gave us an opportunity to thank and recognize those that worked at our brewery.”

Read the full statement below:

Statement from Jake and Dick Leinenkugel Regarding the Closure of the Leinenkugel’s Chippewa Falls Brewery

We are profoundly saddened by Molson Coors’ decision to close the Chippewa Falls brewery, a place that has been the heart and soul of Leinenkugel’s for more than 157 years. For six generations, our family has taken pride in brewing exceptional beers and building lasting connections with loyal fans in Wisconsin and across the nation.

Our thoughts are with the fifty-six employees affected by this closure, along with their families, and with the Chippewa Falls community that has supported and shaped our legacy since 1867. The brewery has not only been a cornerstone of the Chippewa Valley economy but also a welcoming destination for thousands of visitors who have experienced the rich tradition and heritage of Leinenkugel’s firsthand.

We want to reassure our employees at the brewery and Leinie Lodge, as well as our partners, retailers, distributors, and fans, that we are committed to exploring every avenue to preserve this vital part of our history. To that end, we submitted a formal proposal to Molson Coors, requesting to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This would allow us to begin discussions on acquiring the Chippewa Falls brewery, with the goal of maintaining its operations under Leinenkugel family leadership.

On January 6, we received a response from Molson Coors’ CEO, Gavin Hattersley, who declined to pursue an NDA. He stated that Molson Coors remains "fully committed to the Leinenkugel’s brand." While we appreciate Gavin’s affirmation of the brand’s importance, we believe that true commitment must include preserving the Chippewa Falls brewery and the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

On January 8, we followed up with Mr. Hattersley to emphasize that our long-standing relationship over the past 23 years could serve as the foundation for an open and transparent conversation, even without an NDA. We reiterated our willingness to discuss acquiring the brewery’s assets and preserving its operations in Chippewa Falls.

As of today, January 15, we have not received a response to our follow-up email. Despite this, we remain optimistic that Molson Coors’ leadership will reconsider our proposal and engage in meaningful discussions about safeguarding this important part of our heritage.

The Chippewa Falls brewery is more than a facility—it is a symbol of our legacy, a source of pride for our community, and a key part of what makes Leinenkugel’s unique. We continue to hope for a resolution that honors our history and secures the future of brewing in Chippewa Falls.

Sincerely,

Jake and Dick Leinenkugel