Chippewa Falls braces for Leinenkugel's brewery shutdown

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Leinenkugel’s barn 2

The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. barn in Chippewa Falls is seen from across Duncan Creek on Nov. 8. Molson Coors announced Nov. 6 that it will shutter Leinenkugel’s brewing operations in Chippewa Falls on Jan. 17 after 157 years of brewing on-site.

Audrey Korte, River Valley Media Group

Schuh and Smoot

Jim Schuh and Frank Smoot.

Audrey Korte Chippewa Herald

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Audrey Korte

When Jerry Jacobson travels, he wears a Leinenkugel’s T-shirt as a conversation starter.

Jerry Jacobson at Oktoberfest — Jerry Jacobson stands at the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. for the announcement of Oktoberfest royalty in September.
Audrey Korte, River Valley Media Group file photo

Pilot tour — Pilot brew tour-goers stand with Leinenkugel’s beers inside Leinie Lodge on March 14. Back left to right: Joe Neubauer, Kayla Neubauer, Dawn Hansen, Blake Hansen, Donna Schmitz and Bill Schmitz. Front: Matt Leinenkugel.
Audrey Korte, River Valley Media Group, file photo

Leinenkugel’s tour group — A tour group stands outside the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. taking photos in Chippewa Falls on Nov. 8.
Audrey Korte, River Valley Media Group

Oktoberfest gives back — Oktoberfest Festmeister and Festmeisterin Scott and Wendy Sullivan hand a check to Ella and Quinn Michels for the Haycreek Ramblers 4-H Club in November 20023.
Audrey Korte, River Valley Media Group file photo

Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman — Hoffman

What’s on tap? — The Leinie Lodge hosts about 125,000 visitors each year where tourists and locals alike can sample brews and tour the brewery.
Audrey Korte River Valley Media Group

Leinie Lodge entrance — The Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls is shown Nov. 8
Audrey Korte, River Valley Media Group

In this Series

20 stories about Leinenkugel's brewery in Chippewa Falls

Updated May 5, 2026
Historic Leinenkugel's brewery to close in Chippewa Falls
Updated Jan 15, 2025
US Sen. Tammy Baldwin stops at Leinenkugel brewery, Farm Technology Days on rural Wisconsin tour
Updated Mar 20, 2026
Leinenkugel's pilot brewery draws beer lovers to tour and sample unreleased brews in Chippewa Falls
27 updates

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