The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin in 1867 by Jacob Leinenkugel and Joseph Miller, who was bought out in 1884. This company is a Midwestern regional favorite, and they operate two breweries, the original, in Chippewa Falls, and another in Milwaukee, which was acquired in 1995. The Milwaukee brewery, which produces only 5% of the Leinenkugel volume, was originally opened by G. Heilemann Brewing in 1986 to produce their Blatz line of beers, and it was known as the Val Blatz 10th Street Brewery. Leinenkugel's was purchased by Miller Brewing Company (Philip Morris) in 1988, yet the Leinenkugel family continues to oversee and promote the extensive brand line. Miller Brewing was sold to South African Breweries in 2002.
The Leinenkugel's brand line is very large today, and one will find lagers, ciders, stouts, India Pale Ales, Shandies, a light beer, adjunct lager (the original Leinenkugel's), wheat beers, fruit beers, and lots of others. Many of the Leinenkugel beers are today found all across the United States, thanks to the powerful and widespread Miller-Coors distribution effort, which was launched in 2008.
I have tried a few of the "Leini" brands, and have noted their high level of quality, which is a hallmark of Miller Brewing.
