Passed by Chippewa Falls many times
On the way to adventure in Quetico or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area from Chicago, I have passed the sign for the Leinekugel Brewery beer tours in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin many times. I have always wanted to check it out as Leinenkugel’s has always been a favorite beer of mine.
Leinenkugel’s lodge in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Finally stopped for a Leinenkugel’s Lodge brewery tour
This past week during the Wisconsin canoe and road trip, I finally had my chance to check out the famed Leinenkugel’s lodge. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin is in the Chippewa Valley just northeast of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It is about six hours north of Chicago, four and a half hours northwest of Milwaukee, and about two hours due east from Minneapolis.
Leinie’s catch phrase in commercials that air in Chicago is “join us out here.” The commercials display typical northwoods fare like deer, clean water, camping, and of course beer drinking. In other words, Leinenkugel’s is my kind of company.
Leinenkugel’s lodge brewery with the trucks that take the delicious concoctions to our town
I have had the pleasure of meeting all three brothers on their trips down to Chicago for the Friendly Float, which is a division of their canoes for a cause. Not only do they brew tasty beer, but they also promote clean water in Chicago, Milwaukee, Chippewa Falls, and beyond. Three things that are dear to my heart are adventure, conservation, and beer.
Hanging with John Leinenkugel at the Chicago Friendly Float
When Leinenkugel’s comes into Chicago for the Friendly Float they do not mess around. They pay a hefty price for the event supplying the canoes for over 200 paddlers, they set up a full breakfast, a tasty lunch, live music, and each participant gets a wrist band with four complimentary beer tickets. All you need to do is sign up and it is free.
Leinenkugel’s lodge is free
Therefore, it came as no surprise that their beer tour is free. Just come to the Leinie’s Lodge in Chippewa Falls and come to the front desk and sign up. Not only is the tour free, but you get four free samplers and a coupon book for beer discounts in the area.
This is where you can get set up with a free tour at Leinenkugel’s lodge
I signed up for a tour and my tour guide was 8 year Leinie’s vet Katie. She expertly led our group around the beer making facility. Sorry there are no pictures from inside the brewery as there are no cameras allowed inside.
You could tell right away that Katie was a pro as when she said Leinenkugel’s have been brewing beer continuously since 1876, a hand shot up and asked what they did during Prohibition. During this period in time when our country lost their senses, Leinies made soda pop and brewed a beer and then burnt off the alcohol. During Prohibition you could make beer, you just could not distribute it. Katie also knew that Wisconsin was one of the later states affected by the restrictive laws and were still brewing and distributing beer into 1925.
The tour did a great job of describing how beer was made, the history of Leinenkugel’s, and the different beers made by the company. We got to see all the different steps in the process from the mixing to the bottling.
Katie begins the tour at the Leinenkugel Lodge
After the tour was over, it was time to return to the lodge for some tasting. One of my favorite summer beers is the Summer Shandy, which is a beer mixed with lemonade. I discovered they had a new Lemon Berry Shandy, which is fruitier but also very refreshing concoction. I also tried the Oktoberfest. Chippewa Falls has an annual Oktoberfest in late September, which the community was getting geared up for.
Where the samples are doled out at the Leinenkugel Lodge
Enjoying a summer wheat at the Leinenkugel’s lodge
I had a conversation with Mary who manages the lodge and she mentioned there is a local shop called Olson’s Ice Cream, which makes a pumpkin ice cream with their Oktoberfest beer. I had to try that out and went over there and had a delicious pumpkin ice cream malt.
Olson’s Ice Cream on Bridge Street in downtown Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
I also went across the river to Canal Street and enjoyed a tasty hamburger at Sweeney’s and washed it down with a couple of Leinie originals. They are touted as a place where locals get a burger or pizza. I had a delicious pizza burger, so I got the best of both worlds.
The lodge also has a huge warehouse of Leinenkugel clothing and souvenirs. It is definitely worth a stop to get off the highway and spend an hour or two touring the brewery and more time in Chippewa Falls.
A look at the beautiful Leinenkugel’s lodge
Despite the name Leinie Lodge, there is no lodging here. For those looking for a place to stay nearby, there are a ton of options in nearby Eau Claire as well as the Avalon Hotel & Conference Center in Chippewa Falls. Campers will find a place to set up their tent at Lake Wissota State Park: a lake that Leinenkugel’s is working to clean up.
Adventure on!
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Looks cool! I still can’t wrap my head around beer ice cream though… How was it?
Erika recently posted..Returning to Riviera Maya
It was delicious. Could not really taste the beer 🙂
Makes one want to go out and get a six-pack…or two..
Cheers…
Charles Higgins recently posted..Las Vegas named top fall 2012 travel destination by Travel Leaders Group
Leinenkugel’s now distributes in all 50 states.
Ted, thanks for taking the time to visit the Brewery and the Leinie Lodge and providing a great write-up. You, family and friends are welcome there anytime!
Cheers!
Thanks John, I enjoyed my visit and enjoyed Chippewa Falls. I would like to come back soon and do some fishing, canoeing, and camping up there. Look forward to seeing you again in Chicago.
Woo hoo, I can’t wait to go! And I can fish and canoe in Chippewa Falls?! Bonus points!
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted..A slice of Pure Michigan at Ludington State Park
Lake Wissota is good state park close by and there is also the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers close by.
This sounds like fun – i love how you describe distances in hours, 6h for us is a lot and for you guys, just a dot on the map.
Don’t love beer, but that shandy could tempt me to try… but very very intrigued about the pumpkin ice cream!!
@mrsoaroundtheworld recently posted..A perfect weekend in Dublin, Ireland
Six hours is kind of far to drive for a weekend, but doable for a three day weekend or a week.
The shandy is really good, I think you would enjoy it. It is very refreshing on a hot summer day.
we were recently on a road trip and ended up at a pub in connecticut that had leinenkugel signs all over the place! i had never heard of it before. love a good brewery tour.
the lazy travelers recently posted..no travel required
I was surprised to hear on the tour that they now are in all 50 states. Your comment confirms they are spreading.
A free beer tour with samples? Sign us up. We’d also like a side of beer ice cream please!
If you like pumpkin, the pumpkin ice cream is awesome.
Definitely my kind of tour! I’ve enjoyed Leinenkugel’s several times…maybe I can do so here one day:)
I was surprised to hear they now import to all 50 states. I wonder where in Florida they sell?
I love brewery tours and tastings…I know there are some great breweries in the Great Lakes Region (Leine’s included) that I can’t wait to check out.
John recently posted..Visiting Denver, Colorado: The Local’s Take With Kim Olson
My favorite local brewery is Three Floyds in Northern Indiana. They make incredible micro-brews. Leinie’s is a great place to drive and visit because it is so beautiful up north.
Free + Beer = One Happy Ted
Seriously, this looks like it was a great day. I’m really excited to know more about this pumpkin/beer/malt. Sounds tasty.
Leah Travels recently posted..Seeing Egypt the Russian Way: Scary Planes & Friendly Camels
Got to love the Leinie Lodge! Growing up here in Wisconsin and only about 3 hrs from there, can’t help but be a beer expert. The tour is always a god time and very informative.
Reading this has reminded me that I need to restock the Honey Wies in the fridge.
By the way, that last comment should be Weiss and not Wies. The autocorrect on this iPhone drives me nuts sometimes. LOL
Have to admit that I was so excited to read this, as beer is also one of my loves. I recently discovered Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, and I love it. Had no idea where it was brewed, but thanks to you, now I do! 🙂 I must head here one of these days!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Exploring the Okavango Delta: Part One.
Sounds like you ate and drank up a storm! I would love to check this place/town out sometime. Wisconsin beckons!
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