Molson Coors closes historic Leinenkugel’s brewery after 157 years

USA | What a blow to Wisconsin’s brewing heritage. Molson Coors announced on 8 November that it will close the Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa Falls on 17 January 2025, as well as Leinenkugel’s 10th Street brewery in Milwaukee. Beer production will now be consolidated at Molson Coors’s macro brewery in Milwaukee. A total of 90 jobs will be lost.

Leinenkugel’s was founded in the 19th century by Jacob Leinenkugel, a German immigrant. Today, Chippewa Falls has some 14 000 inhabitants. It is located 400 km northwest of Milwaukee, the one-time world capital of beer. Media describe the closure as a “heartbreaking blow”.

The former President of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Dick Leinenkugel, released a statement, saying that he is “deeply saddened by the decision. 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.” He added that “none of our family members were aware or counselled ahead of the decision.”

Eliminating excess capacities

Leinenkugel’s was sold to Miller Brewing Company in 1988. The brand is now a subsidiary of Molson Coors. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reports that 56 workers in Chippewa Falls have received layoff notices. The decision is a response to brewers Pabst and Molson Coors terminating their agreement at the end of 2024, which had seen Molson Coors produce many of Pabst’s brands.

The other brewery to close is the 10th Street Brewery (formerly the Valentin Blatz Brewing Company brewery) in Milwaukee, which was opened in 1986 by the G. Heileman Brewing Company (now defunct) for the Blatz label. It was purchased by Leinenkugel’s in 1995. The 10th street brewery became surplus to requirements, after Molson Coors offloaded its four remaining craft breweries to cannabis firm Tilray in September for USD 23 million. Thirty-four workers will be laid off.