Brothers Jake and Dick Leinenkugel have offered to buy the Leinenkugel's Chippewa Falls brewery from Molson Coors, but the answer at the moment appears to be no.
Molson Coors announced in November that brewing operations at the brewery, which opened in 1867, will cease, along with brewing at the Leinenkugel's 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee. You can read more about those closings in this article.
The final brew was mashed in on Dec. 18 and the brewery is slated to close on Friday.
While brewing operations have ceased in Chippewa Falls, the Leinie Lodge visitors center and tasting room remain open, as does the pilot brewing system located in the lodge.
"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," wrote the brothers in a statement shared by WEAU-TV in Eau Claire. "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.
Here is the remainder of the statement in full:
"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"
WEAU also shared a statement it received from Molson Coors' Chief Communications Officer Adam Collins.
"With its rich history and incredible lineup of beers, Leinenkugel’s has been an important part of our company for nearly 40 years and that’s not changing," Collins wrote. "While the decision to move brewing to Milwaukee was a challenging one, we are committed to maintaining a strong presence in Chippewa Falls. That’s why we’ll continue taking excellent care of our facilities, opening our doors year-round to thousands of guests.
"Our pilot brewery will continue serving as an innovation hub, and the Leinie Lodge will continue to be a gathering place for locals and out-of-towners to enjoy their favorite beers and one-of-a-kind varieties available only at the Lodge. We’re incredibly proud of Leinie’s, the many people in Chippewa Falls who built this brand into what it is today, and what it will continue to be for years to come – a true Wisconsin beer beloved by people across the country."
You can read more about the Chippewa Falls brewery and its history in this article.
In an article on Monday, WEAU reported that according to Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman, "there are interested buyers if Molson Coors decides to sell," though it's not clear if he was referring to the brothers' offer or other interested parties.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
