Yuengling, the storied Philadelphia brewery, is headed west for the first time in its 191-year history. The company has announced a partnership with Molson Coors to increase its distribution capacity across the country, including in Wisconsin. This means that Yuengling's lager, light lager, pilsner, black and tan, and other brews will likely be available in Wisconsin soon. However, the exact details of the rollout are yet to be determined, with the official launch expected in about a year.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can you buy Yuengling in Wisconsin? | No, not currently |
Is it against the law to sell Yuengling in Wisconsin? | No, but it cannot be lawfully sold as it is not distributed there |
Is Yuengling considering distributing in Wisconsin in the future? | Yes, as part of a new partnership with Molson Coors |
Are there any states near Wisconsin that serve Yuengling? | No, the closest state is Indiana |
What You'll Learn
Yuengling's distribution capacity
As America's oldest brewery, it is surprising that Yuengling beer is not yet distributed across all 50 states. The family-owned and operated brewery clearly values the quality of its beer over expansion. As of 2024, Yuengling beer is distributed across 26 states in the US, mostly east of the Mississippi River.
Yuengling's expansion took off when it opened its second and third breweries in Pottsville and Tampa. However, the company is still constrained by production capacity, and this is not enough to distribute quality beer nationwide. The company intends to distribute to more states in the future but has not provided a timeline for this expansion.
Yuengling has been adding, on average, one state per year to its distribution network. In the last quarter of 2022, Yuengling added three more states to its distribution—Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. As of 2024, Yuengling is sold in Washington DC and the following 26 states:
- Georgia
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Louisiana
- Indiana
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Texas
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Pennsylvania
- Florida
- Alabama
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- New York
- Georgia
- West Virginia
- Ohio
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- Louisiana
- Indiana
- Alabama
- Tennessee
The joint venture will be responsible for the brand's production and sales in these new markets, while D.G. Yuengling will remain family-owned and continue to oversee expansion within its existing markets and any new markets it may add in the Northeast. The rollout details will be determined in the coming months, with the official launch in about a year.
Yuengling's slow and methodical approach to growth in its nearly two-century history can be partly attributed to logistics. By partnering with Molson Coors, Yuengling can now utilise traditional distribution channels to reach new markets in the Midwest and West.
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Yuengling's partnership with Molson Coors
On September 15, 2020, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. and Molson Coors Beverage Company announced a long-term brewing partnership. The deal will see Yuengling's beer distributed outside of its East Coast footprint for the first time in its 191-year history. The joint venture will oversee new market expansion beyond Yuengling's existing 22-state footprint, as well as any future expansion into New England.
The partnership is a 50-50 joint venture, with a board of directors consisting of members of the Yuengling and Molson Coors families and executives. The deal will allow Yuengling to expand its distribution to millions of fans, while Molson Coors will benefit from a revenue boost as it navigates declining beer sales.
The expansion will be carried out in a methodical way, with the official launch taking place a year after the announcement. The first states to benefit from the partnership were Texas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Yuengling's beers will be brewed in Molson Coors' Fort Worth, Texas brewery, and distributed by a mix of Molson Coors' network and independent wholesalers.
The partnership will allow Yuengling to expand its distribution to the Midwest and West, while the company will continue to oversee expansion within its existing markets and others it may add in the Northeast.
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The legality of selling Yuengling in Wisconsin
Yuengling, the storied Philadelphia brewery, has been in operation since 1829 and is currently available in 22 states, mostly east of the Mississippi. However, this is set to change as the company has announced a joint venture with Molson Coors to expand its distribution across the United States.
While Yuengling beer is not currently available in Wisconsin, it is not prohibited by law. The reason for its unavailability is due to the company's distribution capacity, which does not yet include the state. As a result, it is not lawful to sell Yuengling in Wisconsin, as it would constitute the resale of beer brought in from another state, which is against the law.
However, this is set to change with the new partnership between Yuengling and Molson Coors. The agreement gives Yuengling a path toward national expansion, and Wisconsin is expected to be one of the states where Yuengling will be available. The official launch is planned for a year after the announcement, with the exact details of the rollout to be determined in the coming months.
The expansion of Yuengling into Wisconsin is a significant move, as it is one of 25 states open for expansion under the partnership, creating a huge growth opportunity for both Yuengling and Molson Coors. This move comes at a time when both companies are dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on bars and restaurants.
In conclusion, while it is currently not possible to legally sell Yuengling in Wisconsin, this is expected to change in the near future as a result of the company's partnership with Molson Coors. Wisconsin residents will soon be able to purchase Yuengling beers, including their flagship Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Black & Tan, and Flight brands, without having to cross state lines.
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Neighbouring states that sell Yuengling
As of 2024, Yuengling beer is distributed across 26 states in the US, mostly east of the Mississippi River. The states that sell Yuengling that border Wisconsin are Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota.
In October 2022, Yuengling expanded its distribution to Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The company has also announced that it will be available in Wisconsin as part of a new partnership with Molson Coors. The exact details of the rollout are yet to be determined, with an official launch expected in a year.
Yuengling is the oldest operating brewing company in the United States, established in 1829. It is a family-owned business, currently headed by Richard L. ("Dick") Yuengling Jr., the fifth-generation company president. The company's flagship product is the Yuengling Traditional Lager, an amber lager that is particularly popular in Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley.
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The popularity of Yuengling
Yuengling is a highly popular beer brand produced by the country's oldest brewery, D.G. Yuengling & Son, which was established in 1829. It is the largest independent brewery in the United States and is known for its flagship product, the Yuengling Traditional Lager, an amber lager. The brand has a strong following, particularly in Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley, where it has become so popular that it can be ordered in some bars simply by asking for a lager.
Yuengling's popularity can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it has a long and rich history, with the company being family-owned and operated for six generations. The company has traditionally changed ownership through the purchase of the company by the children of the previous owner, with the current owner, Dick Yuengling, being the fifth-generation company president. This sense of tradition and heritage appeals to many consumers.
Secondly, Yuengling has a unique and distinctive flavour profile. Its beers, including the Traditional Lager, Light Lager, and Black & Tan, have a loyal following due to their taste and quality. The company also regularly introduces new beers, such as the Golden Pilsner, to keep up with consumer demands and trends.
Additionally, Yuengling has effectively utilised marketing and partnerships to increase its popularity. In 2019, the company partnered with Hershey's to produce a limited-release collaboration beer, the Yuengling Hershey's Chocolate Porter, which combined the traditional Yuengling taste with an aftertaste of Hershey's Special Dark chocolate. The company has also expanded its distribution network through a joint venture with Molson Coors, allowing it to reach new markets and consumers outside of its traditional East Coast base.
The brand has also gained attention for its association with presidents. In 1933, Yuengling celebrated the end of Prohibition by shipping a truckload of "Winner Beer" to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Former President Barack Obama also claimed that Yuengling was his favourite beer.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you currently cannot buy Yuengling in Wisconsin.
No, it is not against the law to sell Yuengling in Wisconsin. However, the brewer does not yet distribute beer in the state, so it cannot be lawfully sold there.
Yes, Yuengling has announced a partnership with Molson Coors to increase its distribution capacity across the country, including in Wisconsin.