Brothers Jake and Dick Leinenkugel tried to purchase again the unique Leinenkugel’s brewery in Chippewa, Wis. from Molson Coors to put it aside from its impending closure. In accordance with a assertion launched Wednesday, Molson Coors declined their provide to buy the brewery on January 6. The Leinenkugels adopted up two days later with a request to additional pursue negotiations, nonetheless the Chicago-based brewing firm has but to reply.
“As of in the present day, January 15, we have now not acquired a response to our follow-up electronic mail,” the assertion reads. “Regardless of this, we stay optimistic that Molson Coors’ management will rethink our proposal and have interaction in significant discussions about safeguarding this necessary a part of our heritage.”
In November 2024, Molson Coors introduced its plans to shut each the Chippewa Falls brewery and Lenenkugel’s Milwaukee-based tenth Avenue Brewery on January 17, 2025, and transfer all manufacturing to the brewing big’s predominant facility in Milwaukee. In accordance with a assertion from Dick Leinenkugel on the time, “none of [his] relations have been conscious or endorsed forward of the choice.” The closure of the 157-year-old brewery will have an effect on 56 staff. Molson Coors didn’t present a purpose for declining Leinenkugel’s provide.
Dick talked about in an interview with Wisconsin information outlet WQOW that he “doesn’t know what Molson Coors plans to do with the massive brewery house.” He added that if the Leinenkugel household have been to achieve success within the purchase again, they may have to determine a brand new model. “We wish to discover the technique of building a model that we might promote to beer lovers,” he stated. “That will or is probably not brewed underneath the Leinenkugel’s title.”
Molson Coors (previously Miller Brewing Firm), acquired the Leinenkugel’s model and all of its property in 1988, though Dick and Jake maintained lively roles within the firm for a few years to observe. Molson Coors opened Leinenkugel’s tenth Avenue Brewery in 1995 to accommodate rising demand. In 2003, the dad or mum firm opened a Leinenkugel’s reward store, pilot brewery, and customer heart known as the Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls.
As Molson Coors promised in 2024, the Leinie Lodge will stay open, in accordance with an announcement from Molson Coors chief communications officer Adam Collins. “With its wealthy historical past and unbelievable lineup of beers, Leinenkugel’s has been an necessary a part of our firm for almost 40 years and that’s not altering,” Collins stated within the assertion. “Whereas the choice to maneuver brewing to Milwaukee was a difficult one, we’re dedicated to sustaining a powerful presence in Chippewa Falls.”
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