Chippewa Falls' oldest industry began in 1867 when Jacob Leinenkugel, the son of a Bavarian brewmaster, came to northern Wisconsin seeking a promising place to build a brewery. He bought this land from lumberman Hiram S. Allen and, in partnership with John Miller, founded what was then called the Spring Brewery. At this site, Jacob Leinenkugel found the essentials for brewing exceptional beer: pure spring water from the Big Eddy Springs and access to fine barley and hops. For sixteen years, Jacob Leinenkugel served as brewer while John Miller sold the beer, until Miller sold his interest to Leinenkugel in 1883. A major building program followed in 1890 with the construction of a new brewhouse, and in 1898 Leinenkugel incorporated the business as the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. Once sold only locally, Leinenkugel's beer later became available in many states, while its quality standards remained unchanged through the use of fine ingredients and handcrafted brewing methods. Today, the fifth generation of the Leinenkugel family continues to brew beers bearing the family name.