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Are you ready for some Yuengling?
In honor of Halloween on Monday there are, of course, oodles of ghoulish galas and freaky fetes planned this weekend. But this year, October 31 marks another important occasion.
It’s a day some have been waiting for with bated breath and thirsty lips. It’s the first date on which Yuengling is available for sale in the Dayton, Cincinnati and Toledo markets. (Yuengling will be available on-draft in these markets starting Oct. 31, but will not be available on retail shelves until Nov. 14 due to high demand.)
For the non-beer drinker this is a non-event. But for those that love beverages made by D.G. Yuengling & Son, this will be a glorious day. It’s being called the biggest beer release since Coors expanded in 1981, which means that for anyone under the age of 50 it is actually the biggest beer release in their drinking life.
The brewery, which bills itself as “America’s Oldest Brewery” has been making delicious beers since 1829. Even though their home state is just a stone’s throw away, their products were not available in Ohio until Oct. 3 when the Lager, Light Lager and Original Black and Tan went on sale in the eastern part of the Buckeye state.
Whether or not grass roots efforts like Bringyuenglingtoohio.com and similarly named Facebook pages with tens of thousands of “Likes” had any effect on the brewery’s decision is unknown. Ohio was previously the only state that bordered Pennsylvania to not distribute Yuengling products. In a release announcing the expansion, the company said that capacity was added to Yuengling’s Mill Creek Brewery in order to accommodate the expected demand.
“Retailers in the state have anticipated our arrival for a long time, and it’s exciting to finally bring Yuengling Beer to our neighbors in Ohio,” said Pat Noone, Yuengling Business Development Manager.
Now the wait is over and it’s Dayton’s turn to freely imbibe on the beer that has developed a cult-like following in some circles. Stories abound about deprived Ohio Yuengling lovers trekking to Pittsburgh or other points east to stock up on their beloved beer. I’m definitely a Yuengling fan, but I’m not convinced that the beer will completely hold onto its allure once the thrill of the chase is gone.
The anticipation and demand are so high in Dayton that Heidelberg Distributing Company has said the beer will not actually be on the shelves until Nov. 14.
Rob VanMetre, Yuengling brand manager for Heidelberg in Dayton, told the Dayton Business Journal that because of the demand in other markets, Heidelberg isn’t able to secure enough beer from the brewery to make Yuengling available at all expected retail locations on Oct. 31. He said the company will delay the sale of packaged beer until enough is available to distribute it fairly.
So we’ll have to wait another two weeks to actually walk into the nearest beer cave and take home some Yuengling of our very own. But several local bars are planning to start pouring the pints as early as possible on Monday to mark the beer’s arrival.
Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., will kick off the week with kegs and eggs at 5:30 a.m. Pints of Yuengling will be $3.
Archer’s Tavern, 9496 Dayton Lebanon Pike in Centerville, is opening up at 6 a.m. Monday and will be serving up $3 pints.
Bullwinkle’s, 19 N. Main St. in Miamisburg, is promoting that they will be open at 11 a.m. that day to start serving up Yuengling.
Milano’s, 9572 Springboro Pike in Miami Township, will host the Yuengling girls at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3. They’ll be passing out free samples and Yuengling loot.
They’ll also be at Lights & Sirens, 6504 Union Road in Clayton, on Wednesday Nov. 2 for Trivia Night.
So what do you think? Is Yuengling worth the hype? Are you setting your alarm early to get the first possible taste? Also let us know about any other bars opening early on Monday.
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Comments
By vick
October 25, 2011 11:04 PM | Link to this
Actually, we placed pre-orders for Yuengling in bottles and cans for delivery to our retail location (The Emporium in Yellow Springs) last week. The rep. from Heidelberg assured me that our order would be delivered on Monday, Oct. 31. So we do plan to have it available as soon as the truck drops it off next Monday. If there has been any change in plans by the distributor they have not notified us about it so far. So the beer should be available in bottles and cans on the release date of Monday, Oct. 31. You might want to verify this information with the distributor. They were taking pre-orders in advance to assure that they would have adequate supplies available then.
By Randy
October 26, 2011 4:42 AM | Link to this
If you are up north in the MN, WI area try Grain Belt Nordeast; same great tasting beer.
By Randy
October 26, 2011 4:42 AM | Link to this
If you are up north in the MN, WI area try Grain Belt Nordeast; same great tasting beer.
By BBR
October 26, 2011 7:06 AM | Link to this
I became a fan several years ago while temporarily working in Stroudsburg, Pa. A few months ago I discovered it was available in W. Va. and stocked up before my return to Ohio. Most recently I found the brand in Tenn. and again loaded up. The biggest problem I found is my daughter always ends up with half my cache. Guess she has good taste also. Looking forward to the grand arrival. Really curious to see what the pricing will be based on other states. So far Tenn. has been the most reasonable.
By Beer Man
October 26, 2011 7:09 AM | Link to this
Folks need to remember Great Lakes Christmas Ale will be launched on draft and package on monday. Plus, great lakes is a beer made and owned by ohioans. Yuengling won’t last.
By mark fisher
October 26, 2011 7:17 AM | Link to this
Vick: How recently did you talk with your Heidelberg rep? The CEO of Heidelberg told us within the last 24 hours that the packaged product — bottles and cans — would not be rolled out until Nov. 14. If you receive it on Oct. 31, please let us know.
By Tom Sidel
October 26, 2011 7:35 AM | Link to this
Not worth the wait!
By melanie
October 26, 2011 8:05 AM | Link to this
everybody’s tastes are different! my husband loves it. we’ve been buying it at wpafb class VI store for awhile now.
By Ted
October 26, 2011 8:08 AM | Link to this
The allure of Yuengling included its price, relatively low for a rich tasting beer. With the demand and oh tax expect a 12 pack bottles significantly higher than $10 (at a 7/11 in Parkersburg, WV).
By zman
October 26, 2011 8:28 AM | Link to this
Now all we have to do is get Fat Tire from Colorado into Ohio and all will be right with the world. Just like Yuengling, for some reason Fat Tire is not being brought into Ohio, and its is a true shame.
By Ying & Yang
October 26, 2011 9:04 AM | Link to this
We’ve tried it and not all that it is cracked up to be. Yawn.
By Love it
October 26, 2011 9:38 AM | Link to this
It is all it’s cracked up to be! I have been having my mom in North Carolina bring it to me cases at a time. Last weekend my boyfriend and I made a Yuengling run to C-bus to get some and NOW finally we can get it on tap in Dayton! Happy Day in my household!
By Bud Norton
October 26, 2011 10:28 AM | Link to this
Any chance we can get Olde Frothingslosh, too?
By Billy
October 26, 2011 11:18 AM | Link to this
I’ve drank a lot of Yuengling over the years. We used to cross the border into PA from WV for kegs. Worked in PA for a few years as well. I like it. It’s a nice alternative to other domestics. The old brewery was a pretty insane place. I was working in PA back in 97, which I believe was the last year before they built the new one and took a tour. Old school brew house. Stank, sticky, and stale. I’m glad Yuengling is doing well. There are good people in Pottsville.
By Ying Ling
October 26, 2011 12:11 PM | Link to this
The Light Lager is the best tasting light beer I have ever had. Bought 3 cases in Columbus 3 weeks ago to hold me until the Dayton release.
By george
October 26, 2011 3:59 PM | Link to this
yuengling is fantastic beer, its the super bowl beer for beer drinkers. its what the dos equis guy drinks when hes in Pa.
By Katie Wedell
October 26, 2011 6:13 PM | Link to this
To BBR, Ted and others wondering about the price. The Lager, Light Lager and Black and Tan varieties will be rolled out at state minimum prices of $5.89 a six-pack (bottles), $10.49 per 12-pack (cans), and $18.49 per 24-pack (cans). Those prices are comparable to other domestic beers. For lots more on Yuengling’s arrival and its affect on the local beer industry, make sure to read Mark Fisher’s story in the business section of this Sunday’s Dayton Daily News.
By TL
October 26, 2011 8:03 PM | Link to this
Been buying it for about 3 weeks now in columbus . It’s a pretty good beer. Zman, you are right about Fat Tire - great beer. Wish it was available here.
By Bud Wiser
October 26, 2011 10:45 PM | Link to this
The beer has been down here in Georgia for over a year. It’s occasionally “gamey”…a little “skunky”…inconsistant occasionally in the taste of every beer sold here. The bottle labels are sometimes 90 degrees off…some bottles are crooked on the neck, bottle supplier needs to be informed………..criticisms? Yes. They’ve over-extended themselves and quality suffers. But you Ohioans will drink it. Ohioans love fads…….not much else to get excited up there about………
By vick
October 27, 2011 1:04 PM | Link to this
OK, Mark…I just spoke to my Heidelberg rep. and your information is correct. They have now delayed the shipments of bottles and cans until Nov. 14. Thanks, for the reporting on this beer roll-out. Now I can give our customers the correct info….Vick