Leinenkugel’s Original has a devoted following in Wisconsin and across the upper Midwest, where the beer is often affectionately called “Leinie’s.” First brewed in 1867, the classic pilsner became available nationwide in 2017, 150 years after the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company was founded.

To mark the anniversary, the brewery released a Fall Explorer pack featuring a Vienna-style lager and two German Märzen beers. The collection reflected the brand’s Bavarian roots and was made at the Chippewa Falls brewery, where founder Jacob Leinenkugel once sent beer to nearby saloons by horse-drawn wagon. Molson Coors later turned the historic site into a pilot brewery in 2025, while Leinenkugel’s Original remained on sale nationwide.

The brand’s expansion beyond the Midwest began earlier, with the success of Summer Shandy. Inspired by German radlers—beer mixed with lemonade or lemon-lime soda—the seasonal beer went national in 2010.

What Leinenkugel’s Original tastes like

The lager is a straightforward, easy-drinking beer, with mild malt sweetness, toasted-grain notes, and a clean finish. One reviewer described it as a dependable, unpretentious beer that goes down easily.

Leinenkugel’s recommends pairing it with bratwurst and sauerkraut, cheese curds, or cherry pie. Its crispness also works well with fried, salty foods, making it a natural choice for a casual meal or cookout. It can even be used in a Michelada, where its light malt flavor complements lime and hot sauce.