Yuengling Beer: Available In Illinois?

As of 2024, Yuengling beer is not available in Illinois. However, it can be purchased in Indiana and other states further east. Yuengling, America's oldest operating brewer, has traditionally been distributed in 22 states in the East. The company has recently been expanding westward, partnering with Chicago-based Molson Coors to bring its beer to new markets. While there is no specific ETA for Illinois, the companies will announce in a few months which western states will be the first to receive Yuengling.

Yuengling distribution in Illinois

Yuengling beer is not yet available in Illinois. However, it can be purchased in Indiana, and some Illinois residents have resorted to driving to Indiana to buy the beer. In Indiana, Yuengling can be found at Walmart, Kroger, and the Horseshoe Casino.

In 2020, Yuengling announced a joint venture with Chicago-based Molson Coors to expand its distribution westward beyond its traditional 22-state distribution area in the East. This partnership aimed to bring Yuengling to the West Coast for the first time since it began making beer in 1829. The companies stated that they would announce which western states would get Yuengling first in a few months, but specific states were not mentioned.

As of 2024, Yuengling has not provided an update on its plans to expand to Illinois. However, some sources indicate that the beer has been gradually expanding westward, with distribution recently reaching Texas and Missouri. It is possible that Yuengling will eventually become available in Illinois, but there is no official confirmation or timeline for this expansion.

Illinois residents eager to try Yuengling can either travel to Indiana or other states where it is available or wait for potential future expansion into their state.

Yuengling in Indiana

As of 2024, Yuengling beer is available to buy in parts of Indiana. This is the closest that the product has come to Illinois, where it is not yet available. Indiana is one of 22 states in Yuengling's distribution area, which until recently was confined to the East Coast of the United States.

Yuengling has been brewed by D.G. Yuengling and Son since 1829, making it America's oldest operating brewer. In 2021, the company announced a joint venture with Chicago-based Molson Coors to expand its distribution area to the West Coast for the first time.

The beer can be found in Indiana at the Walmart in Hammond, as well as at the Horseshoe Casino. It is also available at big grocery stores like Kroger.

In 2024, Yuengling Lager 12-packs were advertised for sale by Ancona's Wine, based in Connecticut.

Yuengling in Texas

Yuengling, America's oldest brewery, has been slowly expanding across the United States since it was established in 1829. The family-owned brewery is known for its cheap German-style lager and has traditionally been available in 22 states in the East of the country.

In 2021, Yuengling announced a joint venture with Chicago-based Molson Coors to expand westward, with Texas as a key market. The company created a new entity, The Yuengling Company, a 50-50 partnership with Molson Coors, which would brew the beers in its Fort Worth facility. This move was a significant step in Yuengling's westward expansion and an important strategic partnership for Molson Coors, giving them a popular brand at a time when beer sales had been declining.

On August 23, 2021, four Yuengling beers went on sale in Texas: Yuengling Lager, Light Lager, Golden Pilsner, and Flight, a 95-calorie beer. Texans could find Yuengling at major grocery stores, liquor stores, and convenience stores, as well as on draft, in cans, and in bottles at some Dallas-area restaurants and bars. The company hosted a "first taste party" for lucky winners and planned to have the beer available in about 40,000 on- and off-premise venues in Texas by the end of the year.

The expansion into Texas was highly anticipated by fans of the beer, particularly those from the East Coast living in Texas. The hype around Yuengling's arrival in the Lone Star State may have surprised some Texans, but for many transplants, it was a cause for celebration. The company's vice president of operations, Jennifer Yuengling, emphasised the significance of the Texas launch, stating that it was a larger expansion for the company than their previous eight states combined.

Yuengling in Missouri

In October 2022, Yuengling announced its expansion to Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The family-owned brewery, which was previously available in 23 states, mostly in the East, began selling its products in the Midwest in early 2023.

Founded in 1829 by German immigrant David Yuengling, the brewery has been passed down for several generations and is known for its Traditional Lager and Golden Pilsner beers. The Yuengling Traditional Lager, first brewed in 1987, is described as having a medium-bodied flavor with roasted caramel malt. Other popular beers include the Light Lager, Black & Tan, and a seasonal Hershey's Chocolate Porter.

Yuengling beer can be found in over 170 bars in the Kansas City area, including Gilhouly's, Drunken Worm, Pressed Penny Tavern, and the Grand Street Cafe. Several bars and restaurants in Missouri, such as Springfield's Civil Kitchen and Branson's Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub and Stain City Bar and Grill, have also shared on social media that they are selling Yuengling from the tap.

The expansion to the Midwest is a result of a joint venture between Yuengling and Chicago-based Molson Coors, allowing the brand to break out of its traditional distribution area and expand westward.

Yuengling in Michigan

As of 2024, Yuengling beer is not available in Illinois. However, it can be purchased in Indiana, with some choosing to drive over the state border to stock up. Yuengling has traditionally been available in 22 eastern states, but the company has recently been expanding westward in partnership with Molson Coors. This expansion has seen the brand become available in Texas and Missouri, with Illinois and other western states expected to follow.

While Yuengling is not yet sold in Illinois, it can be found in the neighbouring state of Indiana. Some Illinois residents have taken to crossing the border to purchase the beer, with one person commenting that "Getting Yuengling is the only thing I do in Indiana".

A joint venture between Yuengling and Chicago-based Molson Coors was announced in October 2024, with plans to expand distribution beyond the brewery's traditional 22-state area in the East. This partnership is expected to bring Yuengling to Illinois and other western states, although no timeline has been provided.

The family-owned brewery, known for its cheap German-style lager, will remain independent despite the partnership. A six-member board of directors, consisting of three members from each company, will oversee Yuengling's expansion.

With the expansion into new markets, Yuengling gains a wider reach and the opportunity to win over new fans. Meanwhile, Molson Coors acquires a popular brand at a time when beer sales have been declining, with consumers increasingly opting for canned cocktails and hard seltzers.

While Illinois residents eagerly await the arrival of Yuengling in their state, they can take comfort in the knowledge that the expansion is underway, and they may soon be able to enjoy the brand's German-style lager without having to cross state lines.

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