Things to Do in Chippewa Falls - Leinenkugel Brewery

Leinenkugel Brewing Company

One thing Chippewa Falls, Wis. is known for is their beer. Well, really Wisconsin is known for tipping a few back, but Chippewa Falls is the home of the delicious Summer Shandy by Leinenkugel. Leinie’s founded in 1867 by Jacob Leinenkugel and John Miller (no relation to the popular Miller beer). Surviving through the prohibition, Leinie’s is still a popular brew throughout the United States.

Many Chippewa Valley residents actually have never even toured the Leinie’s brewery, but it is definitely a must do! I took my tour last winter and was lucky enough to visit it again recently. The tour lasts about an hour and you see the historical brewery along with the brewing process. If you’ve already been, I recommend going again. I learned things in my second tour that I didn’t learn from the first continuing to be an interesting experience.

Seated at the entrance sits the Leinie’s Lodge, which offers their historic Leinie’s Original along with many of the seasonal brews for your taste palette. What’s a brewery tour without sampling? A museum. While you are here, stroll through the gift shop for some memoribial while you sip. Enjoy the rest of the evening in front of one of the many fireplaces throughout the lodge or explore the great village of Chippewa Falls, WI. As a local to the area, Leinie’s lodge has become one of my favorite spots to socialize with friends and family.

The Leinie’s tour is a great activity if you are just passing through and need an excuse to stretch your legs, or if you have an afternoon with nothing to do. For a small cost of $5.00, you get to see and taste the history of Chippewa Falls. And if your not ready for the fun to stop after you finish your samples, many local bars offer a full menu of Leinenkugel’s beer to continue tipping back.