Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Leinenkugel's is an American beer brand founded in 1867 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and now owned by Molson Coors.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Leinenkugel's, formally the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, is an American beer maker whose roots reach back to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1867. It was co-founded by Prussian immigrant Jacob Mathias Leinenkugel and John Miller, making it one of the oldest breweries in the United States and the oldest operating business in Chippewa Falls. The brewery began with a German-derived beer formula brought to Wisconsin by Leinenkugel and developed for generations as a family business. The company survived Prohibition by producing near beer, locally known as “Leino,” along with soda water. After Prohibition ended, members of the Leinenkugel family mortgaged their homes to finance the restoration of the brewery's brewing equipment. This episode became part of the brand's long-standing identity as a resilient regional brewery with deep family ties. For much of its history, Leinenkugel's distribution was concentrated in Wisconsin and the wider Upper Midwest. The company expanded its portfolio during the 1970s with the introduction of a light beer. In 1988, the family sold the brewery to Miller Brewing Company, then a subsidiary of Philip Morris, in an effort to keep the business financially viable. Miller retained members of the Leinenkugel family in operational roles, an arrangement that helped preserve the brand's local character while giving it access to the resources and distribution network of a major brewer. Leinenkugel's attempted several times to achieve broader national distribution. Its most significant breakthrough came with Summer Shandy, introduced in 2007. The beer combined a wheat- or ale-based brewing profile with lemonade-like fruit character and helped make shandies the defining category for the brand. Leinenkugel's subsequently became particularly associated with approachable, sweeter seasonal beers and fruit-influenced products, alongside more traditional lagers and ales. The brand's shandy portfolio became a major presence in the United States, with the supplied reference material describing Leinenkugel's as responsible for the large majority of shandies consumed nationally. Corporate ownership changed again as MillerCoors became part of Molson Coors following the consolidation of the global brewing industry. Molson Coors became the owner of the Miller brands, including Leinenkugel's, after SABMiller's stake in MillerCoors was sold in 2016. By that period, Leinenkugel's products were distributed across all 50 states, although the brand continued to emphasize its Wisconsin heritage and family history. Dick Leinenkugel was identified as president in 2016, maintaining family representation in leadership. The brewery operated facilities in Chippewa Falls and Milwaukee. Its Milwaukee 10th Street Brewery, formerly associated with the Valentin Blatz Brewing Company and acquired by Leinenkugel's in 1995, was used for specialty production including the Big Eddy high-alcohol ale line. In 2024, Molson Coors announced plans to close the Chippewa Falls brewery and the 10th Street Brewery by January 17, 2025, consolidating brewing operations in Milwaukee according to the supplied reference material. The historic Chippewa Falls site continued to host tours, while the nearby Leinie Lodge offered a pilot brewery, tasting room, retail merchandise, and visitor programming. Leinenkugel's also marked its 150th anniversary with a special old-style German beer brewed under license in Germany by Hofbräu. In 2023, workers at the brewery represented by Teamsters Local 662 went on strike over wages, the first such strike there since 1985; a three-year contract ended the stoppage after ratification on September 1. The supplied material further states that Katie Leinenkugel became the sixth generation of the family to head the brewery in January 2026. The brand therefore combines a historic Wisconsin brewery identity with national distribution, Molson Coors ownership, and a portfolio centered on lagers, ales, seasonal beers, and shand…
History
The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was established in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in May 1867 by Jacob Mathias Leinenkugel, a Prussian immigrant, and John Miller. Leinenkugel brought a German brewing tradition and formula to the new brewery. Miller later sold his interest in 1884, leaving the Leinenkugel family associated with the business for much of its subsequent history. The brewery became an important local institution and is described in the supplied reference material as both the seventh-oldest brewery in the United States and the oldest operating business in Chippewa Falls. Its original beer was historically the dominant product, reportedly accounting for approximately 90 percent of production at one point. The company maintained a strong regional identity, with distribution historically focused on Wisconsin and neighboring Upper Midwest markets. Prohibition presented a major threat to brewing companies. Leinenkugel's responded by producing near beer, called “Leino” in the region, and soda water. Following repeal, the Leinenkugel daughters mortgaged their homes to fund restoration of the brewery's brewing vats, allowing regular beer production to resume. This recovery reinforced the family's role in preserving the operation through periods of financial and regulatory pressure. The company began broadening its portfolio in the 1970s, including the introduction of a light beer. Despite these efforts, the family-owned brewery faced financial pressure and was sold in 1988 to Miller Brewing Company, a Philip Morris subsidiary. Miller's decision to keep Leinenkugel family members involved in running the operation was unusual for the period and helped retain continuity between the historic brewery and its new corporate owner. Miller made repeated efforts to expand the brand beyond its regional base. A decisive step came in 2007 with Summer Shandy, a beer blended with lemonade-like flavor. The product established a strong association between Leinenkugel's and shandies, a category combining beer with fruit juice or fruit-style flavor. The company subsequently became known for sweeter, accessible seasonal products as well as traditional lagers and ales. The reference material characterizes Leinenkugel's as the producer of nine out of ten shandies consumed in the United States, although no independent supporting source or precise measurement is supplied here. Leinenkugel's later operated two principal brewing locations. The original Chippewa Falls brewery remained the historic base of the company. The Milwaukee 10th Street Brewery, formerly the Valentin Blatz Brewing Company brewery, was opened by G. Heileman Brewing Company in 1986 and acquired by Leinenkugel's in 1995. It was used for specialty products, including the Big Eddy line of strong ales. The brand became part of the MillerCoors portfolio and ultimately came under Molson Coors ownership as the global brewing industry consolidated. In 2016, following Anheuser-Busch InBev's acquisition of SABMiller, SABMiller sold its interest in MillerCoors for approximately US$12 billion, leaving Molson Coors as the sole owner of the Miller brands, including Leinenkugel's. By that time, the brand had reached distribution in all 50 states, while continuing to market its Wisconsin heritage. Leinenkugel's celebrated its 150th anniversary with an old-style German beer brewed under license in Germany by Hofbräu. In July 2023, Teamsters Local 662 members began a strike over wages. The strike ended on September 1 after ratification of a three-year contract. In November 2024, Molson Coors announced the planned closure of both the Chippewa Falls facility and the 10th Street Brewery by January 17, 2025, with operations consolidated in Milwaukee according to the supplied reference material. The Chippewa Falls site continued to offer historical tours, and the nearby Leinie Lodge retained a pilot brewery, tasting room, and retail operation. The supplied material states that Katie Leinenkugel became the sixth generation of the family to head the brewery in January 2026.
- 2026
Katie Leinenkugel becomes family leader
[1]The supplied reference material identifies Katie Leinenkugel as the sixth generation of the family to head the brewery.
- 2024
Brewery closures announced
[1]Molson Coors announced plans to close the Chippewa Falls and 10th Street breweries by January 17, 2025, consolidating brewing operations in Milwaukee.
- 2023
Workers strike and ratify a new contract
[1]Teamsters Local 662 members struck over wages in July and ratified a three-year contract on September 1.
- 2017
150th anniversary beer
[1]The brewery commemorated its 150th anniversary with an old-style German beer brewed under license in Germany through Hofbräu.
- 2016
Molson Coors becomes sole owner of Miller brands
[1]Following the SABMiller transaction connected with Anheuser-Busch InBev's acquisition of SABMiller, Molson Coors became the sole owner of the Miller brands, including Leinenkugel's.
- 2007
Summer Shandy launches
[1]Summer Shandy helped establish the brand's national expansion and its modern association with shandies.
- 1995
Acquisition of Milwaukee brewery
[1]Leinenkugel's acquired Milwaukee's 10th Street Brewery, formerly associated with Valentin Blatz Brewing Company.
- 1988
Family business sold to Miller Brewing Company
[1]The Leinenkugel family sold the brewery to Miller Brewing Company in an effort to maintain the company's financial viability.
- 1970
Light beer introduced
[1]The company expanded beyond its traditional range during the 1970s with a light beer.
- 1920
Prohibition-era production
[1]The brewery produced near beer and soda water during Prohibition.
Products and positioning
A historic Wisconsin brewery positioned around family heritage, regional authenticity, approachable beer, seasonal releases, and lemonade- or fruit-influenced shandies.
Beer
Traditional lagers and ales
Leinenkugel's historic portfolio includes conventional lager and ale styles descended from the brewery's German-influenced origins. These products represent the core brewing tradition that predates the brand's later emphasis on shandies and fruit-forward seasonal beers.
Beer · 1970
Light beer
A light beer was added to the portfolio during the 1970s as the company broadened its offering beyond its established traditional beers. The supplied material does not identify a specific product name or current availability.
Shandy · 2007
Summer Shandy
Introduced in 2007, Summer Shandy combines beer with lemonade-like fruit character. It became the key product in Leinenkugel's national expansion and helped define the brand's modern positioning around approachable, sweeter seasonal beers and shandies.
Shandy
Shandy portfolio
Leinenkugel's produces a range of shandies made by combining beer with fruit juice or fruit-style flavors. The category is central to the brand's identity and is associated with its broad U.S. distribution and strong seasonal release program.
Strong ale
Big Eddy
Big Eddy is a specialty line of high-alcohol ales produced at the Milwaukee 10th Street Brewery. The line represents a stronger and more experimental direction within the broader Leinenkugel's portfolio.
Anniversary beer · 2017
150th Anniversary Old Style German Beer
Created for the brewery's 150th anniversary, this special beer was designed to reflect Leinenkugel's German heritage and was brewed under license in Germany through Hofbräu.
Brand decisions
2024
Consolidate brewing operationsStrategyBackground
Molson Coors reviewed the operating structure of the historic Chippewa Falls brewery and Milwaukee's 10th Street Brewery.
Action taken
Molson Coors announced that both facilities would close by January 17, 2025, with brewing operations consolidated in Milwaukee.
Aftermath
The Chippewa Falls location continued to support tours and visitor activities, while the supplied material states that production was consolidated in Milwaukee.
2016
Transfer of Miller brand ownership to Molson CoorsM&ABackground
Anheuser-Busch InBev acquired SABMiller, requiring changes to SABMiller's interest in MillerCoors.
Action taken
SABMiller sold its stake in MillerCoors, leaving Molson Coors as sole owner of the Miller brands, including Leinenkugel's.
Aftermath
Leinenkugel's continued as a Molson Coors-owned brand with distribution throughout the United States.
Transaction value reported for SABMiller's sale of its MillerCoors stake. Approximately US$12 billion (2016)
2007
Launch Summer ShandyProduct launchBackground
Earlier attempts to expand Leinenkugel's beyond its Upper Midwest base had not achieved national scale.
Action taken
The company added Summer Shandy, a beer with lemonade-like fruit character.
Aftermath
The product helped drive national distribution and made shandies a defining part of the brand's portfolio.
1995
Acquire Milwaukee's 10th Street BreweryM&ABackground
Leinenkugel's expanded its brewing footprint beyond the historic Chippewa Falls facility.
Action taken
The company purchased Milwaukee's 10th Street Brewery, formerly linked to Valentin Blatz Brewing Company.
Aftermath
The facility produced specialty offerings including the Big Eddy high-alcohol ale line until its planned closure in 2025.
1988
Sell the family brewery to Miller Brewing CompanyM&ABackground
The family-owned brewery faced financial pressure and sought a transaction that would help preserve the business.
Action taken
The Leinenkugel family sold the brewery to Miller Brewing Company, a Philip Morris subsidiary.
Aftermath
Miller provided corporate resources and distribution while retaining Leinenkugel family involvement in operating the brewery.
Sources1 sources
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