The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company plant in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is scheduled to close its doors Friday.
Molson Coors, which owns the Leinenkugel’s brand, announced the closure of 150-year-old brewery Jan. 6 as a large contract agreement came to an end. The move also follows the company’s investments in a canning line at its Milwaukee brewery.
The news, however, came as a surprise to former Leinenkugel President Dick Leinenkugel, who told local news affiliates that his family was not made aware of the decision ahead of time.
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Following the announcement, and just days prior to the plant’s last day of operation, the Leinenkugel family indicated strong interest in buying the brewery in Chippewa Falls to save it from closure. The family sent Molson Coors a statement that included a request to enter into a non-disclosure agreement, which would allow both parties to discuss a potential brewery acquisition — after which the family would take over the brewery’s operations.
Molson Coors told the family it remains committed to the Leinenkugel brand, and appreciates the family’s effort, but declined to take things any further.
The closure is expected to result in the loss of 56 jobs — unless Leinenkugel attempts another Hail Mary.
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