Molson Coors to close Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls

Molson Coors will close its Leinenkugel’s Brewery in Chippewa Falls and the Leinenkugel’s 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee early next year, according to a statement from the company.

Molson Coors Chief Supply Chain Officer Brian Erhardt said in a statement that the closures are part of a plan to consolidate operations at the company’s main Milwaukee Brewery.

Both the 10th Street and Leinenkugel’s Chippewa Falls breweries will cease operations effective Jan. 17, 2025.

The company says the Leinie Lodge and adjacent pilot brewery in Chippewa Falls will remain open.

According to layoff notices filed with the state, 54 salaried and hourly workers in Chippewa Falls and 33 workers in Milwaukee will lose jobs.

In the statement, Erhardt said the plan comes after the company finished a large contract brewing agreement during an ongoing canning investment project at its Milwaukee brewery.

“We’ve made the decision to close two of our smaller brewing operations in Wisconsin and centralize statewide production at our main site in Milwaukee,” he said. “While never easy, these choices are made with much thought and consideration to position Molson Coors for continued success in Wisconsin and beyond.”

In a note to distributors, Erhardt said the company has been in communication with salaried and hourly employees, and their respective bargaining representatives.

“We remain committed to handling these changes in a way that is respectful and providing impacted employees with all needed information and available resources,” he wrote.

News of the closure of the Chippewa Falls brewery comes a little more than a year after workers ended a seven-week strike at that facility.

Teamsters Locals 200 and 662, which represents the impacted employees, released a joint statement on Thursday.

“It is a tragedy that Molson Coors wants to close the doors on this brewery, which has been a point of pride for Chippewa Valley for more than 150 years,” the statement read. “The Teamsters are doing everything in our power to fight for and protect our members’ rights.”

In a statement provided to WEAU-TV, former Leinenkugel Brewing Company President Dick Leinenkugel said he was “deeply saddened” by the decision to close the Chippewa Falls brewery.

“It’s clear to me that they determined that the savings resulting from the closure were significant enough to justify this difficult decision,” the statement reads. “None of our family members were aware or counseled ahead of the decision. It’s a sad day for our family and our fans.”

According to Molson Coors, the company has gradually shifted production of the Leinenkugel’s brand from Chippewa Falls to Milwaukee over the years. Molson Coors says more than 75 percent of the total Leinenkugel volume is already produced in Milwaukee.

The company also said 19-ounce cans of Blue Moon and other continuing brands produced at the 10th Street site will move to its main Milwaukee Brewery.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with data from layoff notices filed with the state of Wisconsin and a statement from the Teamsters Union.