Mare Of Easttown: Beer Choices Of The Characters

In the HBO crime drama Mare of Easttown, Kate Winslet plays Mare, a hard-drinking detective in a small Pennsylvania town. But despite the show's focus on regional detail, locals have been left wondering why Mare's drink of choice is Rolling Rock, rather than the more obvious local lager, Yuengling.

Rolling Rock is a classic extra pale lager with 4.4% alcohol by volume, while Yuengling has 4.5%. Could the extra 0.1% be why Mare, with her stressful job, chooses Rolling Rock? Or is it a subtle political protest? Yuengling's owner, Dick Yuengling, announced his support for Donald Trump in 2016, and Mare's preference may be a nod to this.

Mare drinks Rolling Rock, not Yuengling

Mare of Easttown, the HBO crime drama starring Kate Winslet, has sparked a question among viewers: Why does Mare, a detective from a small town in Pennsylvania, drink Rolling Rock and not Yuengling?

In the show, Mare, played by Winslet, is seen drinking Rolling Rock on multiple occasions. She asks for it at a bar, pulls it out of her refrigerator, and at a friend's house, an entire fridge shelf is dedicated to it. This has left viewers puzzled, as Yuengling is a popular lager in the Philadelphia area, where the show is set, and would seem like the more obvious choice for Mare's drink of choice.

Rolling Rock was founded in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles from Pittsburgh. However, it is now brewed in Newark, New Jersey, following its purchase by Anheuser-Busch in 2006. On the other hand, Yuengling is the oldest brewery in America, founded in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1829. It is still brewed in Pottsville, which is only about 80 miles from Easttown, where the show is set.

So, why does Mare prefer Rolling Rock? One possible explanation is that Mare is committed to drinking responsibly. Yuengling's traditional lager has an alcohol content of 4.5%, while Rolling Rock's classic extra pale lager has slightly less at 4.4%. Given the stressful nature of Mare's detective job, the extra 0.1% alcohol in Yuengling could be a factor in Mare's decision.

Another reason could be political. In 2016, the owner of Yuengling, Dick Yuengling, announced his support for Donald Trump, which may have turned some Philly locals, including Mare, away from the brand.

Additionally, Mare's preference for Rolling Rock could be a reflection of a national trend. In 2020, sales of craft beer in America declined, with domestic beer bringing in 68.2% of all beer sales compared to 12.3% for craft beer. Rolling Rock, as a domestic beer, may have been a more appealing choice for Mare.

While the true reason for Mare's drink choice remains a mystery, it could be as simple as she just likes the taste of Rolling Rock better.

Rolling Rock is from Pennsylvania

Rolling Rock was first brewed in 1939 and remained in production at the Latrobe Brewing Company until 2006. The Latrobe Brewing Company was founded in 1893 and was run as an extension of the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. The brewery was forced to suspend operations in 1920 due to Prohibition but resumed production in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition.

The beer is known for its distinctive green glass bottles with white painted lettering. The slogan "Rolling Rock. From the glass-lined tanks of Old Latrobe, we tender this premium beer for your enjoyment as a tribute to your good taste. It comes from the mountain springs to you. '33'" is featured on the bottles, with the number 33 being the subject of much speculation. Theories about the meaning of the number include the year Prohibition was repealed (1933), the number of steps from the first to the second floor in the Latrobe brewery, and the number of letters in the list of ingredients.

In 2006, the Rolling Rock brand was sold to Anheuser-Busch, which moved brewing operations to Newark, New Jersey. This decision sparked outrage among people in the Latrobe area, who threatened to boycott the beer. Despite the controversy, Rolling Rock remains a popular beer choice, as seen in the HBO series Mare of Easttown, where the main character, Mare, is often seen drinking it.

Yuengling is the oldest brewery in America

In the crime drama "Mare of Easttown", the main character Mare is shown drinking Rolling Rock beer, which surprises some viewers as the show is set in a town in Pennsylvania where Yuengling is the dominant lager. Yuengling is the oldest brewery in America, founded in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. The brewery's original name was Eagle Brewery, and it was founded by German immigrant David G. Yuengling. The name was changed to D.G. Yuengling & Son in 1873 when Yuengling's son, Frederick, joined the business. The company has been owned and operated by the Yuengling family for six generations and is currently led by four sisters: Jennifer, Debbie, Wendy, and Sheryl.

Yuengling's Pottsville brewery has been in operation since 1831, and the company has expanded to include two additional breweries in Tampa, Florida, and Mill Creek. The company employs about 350 people and distributes its beer to 22 states. In 2020, Yuengling formed a joint venture with Molson Coors to expand its distribution to Texas and other western states.

Yuengling's flagship beer is its Traditional Lager, which accounts for more than 75% of the company's sales. The company also produces a variety of other beers, including Light Lager, Black & Tan, Yuengling Hershey's Chocolate Porter, Golden Pilsner, Raging Eagle Mango Beer, and FLIGHT by Yuengling, a low-carb and low-calorie option.

The company has a rich history, having persevered through significant events in American history such as two World Wars, Prohibition, and the Great Depression. The brewery survived Prohibition by selling near-beer products and non-alcoholic beverages. Today, Yuengling is the fourth-largest American beer distributor and the top craft brewer in the United States, selling over 2.2 billion barrels per year.

Rolling Rock is now brewed in Newark

In the HBO series Mare of Easttown, Kate Winslet's character Mare is often seen drinking Rolling Rock. In one scene, she even pulls a can of the beer from her refrigerator. In another, a whole fridge shelf at a friend's house is dedicated to the beer.

Rolling Rock is an American lager with 4.4% ABV. It was launched in 1939 by the Latrobe Brewing Company in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In 2006, the brand was sold to Anheuser-Busch, which moved brewing operations to Newark, New Jersey. The final batch of Rolling Rock was shipped from Latrobe on July 31, 2006.

The move from Latrobe to Newark triggered threats of a boycott from people in the Latrobe area. Union leaders in Westmoreland County organised a nationwide boycott of Anheuser-Busch and InBev brands because of the move. Since the move, reviews of the beer have declined, as its original glass-lined tanks were reserved for aluminium cans only in 2015.

Despite the controversy, Rolling Rock continues to be featured in popular culture, including the series Mare of Easttown.

Mare drinks Wawa coffee

Mare of Easttown is a crime drama starring Kate Winslet as Mare, a detective in a small fictional town in Pennsylvania. The show is known for its attention to detail, from the Delco accent to the local scenery and food choices. One of the most notable food choices in the series is Mare's preference for Wawa coffee.

Wawa is a Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain that has developed a loyal following. The coffee served at Wawa is more than just a beverage; it's a regional name-check and a subtle opportunity for character development. In the show, Mare's reliance on Wawa coffee indicates her busy schedule and need for convenience. It also suggests a sense of routine in her otherwise unmoored life.

Wawa coffee plays a significant role in the relationship between Mare and Detective Colin Zabel. In one scene, Zabel attempts to introduce himself to Mare, and his eyes linger on the Wawa coffee cup on her desk. The next morning, he brings her a Wawa coffee, and their relationship begins to develop over their shared love of coffee. This is also a form of team-building, similar to the "morning biscuits with the boss" in Ted Lasso.

The choice of Wawa coffee is also a nod to the region where the show is set. Wawa, which was started in 1964 in Wawa, Pennsylvania, has become an iconic part of Pennsylvania culture. The show's creators wanted to showcase the authenticity of the community and the resilience of its people, and including Wawa was a crucial part of that.

In fact, Wawa embraced its role in the show and even declared a "Mare of Easttown Day" at one of its stores in Delaware County. Customers were treated to free Wawa coffee, and the first 100 customers received a "Wawa Delco" t-shirt.

So, while Mare's beer preference may be a mystery to some, her choice of Wawa coffee is a deliberate and meaningful detail that adds depth to her character and the show's portrayal of Pennsylvania culture.

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