Yuengling: What says you?

I had one for the first time in over a year a few months ago and I was reminded that it really isn't that bad. It's one of those beers I won't pay for but would definitely drink if it was free. Their Black and Tan isn't terrible either.

 

It's my "rescue" beer at bars with nothing else but BMC. That and a long, sentimental history. We go way back.

 

Its decent enough--I usually get it for the track at Saratoga. They dont allow glass in so I usually get a 12er of Yuengling cans and a six of craft cans (Mamas yella pils or Avery's Joe's American Pilsner)

 

Overrated crap

 

You are right – I also find their interpretation of Porter and Black/Tan to be good (at best) - but everything else Yuengling does is so miniscule when looking at the big picture.

Take Sierra Nevada for example. They advertise whole cone hops and all-malt in most of their brews; and they have a way bigger portfolio than Yuengling does – and a very affordable one at that.

Yuengling advertises the use of corn on their website (see link below). And the fact Yuengling has recently discovered that seasonal offerings are proven to generate temporary market share, is no reason for me to suddenly start seeking out their versions of Bock or Oktoberfest; given their complete disregard for quality beer with actual substance (beer made with barley).

Bottom line is that Yuengling is no better that all the other BMC swill out there. The only reason they secured the title of ‘America’s Oldest Brewery’ is because they were able to manipulate their survival through prohibition before any of the other big American brewing corporations could. Yuengling turned into a creamery during prohibition for good sakes; and were bought and sold numerous times with various name changes.

http://www.yuengling.com/our_beer/process.html

 

First beer I remember having was a Yuengling Black and Tan. Their beers have sentimental value and aren't that bad. As anybody from eastern PA knows, whenever you go into a bar and ask for a "lager," they give you a Yuengling. Simple as that.

 

Not quite sure what that last section (underlined) means, but Yuengling was but one of some 600 or so US breweries that survived and reopened after Prohibition. One of which was the Boston Beer Co., founded in 1828 and closed in 1956 - at which time Yuengling then could claim the title of "America's Oldest Brewery".

Many US breweries started side businesses during Prohibition - AB had dozens of side products (bakers yeast, malt syrup), Pabst sold cheese, Stroh made ice cream, and many breweries bottled soft drinks, near beer and canned malt syrup. Yuengling's dairy was across the street from the brewery, but the brewery continued to brew beer and remove the alcohol to legally sell it as a cereal beverage (near beer) as did most of the breweries which were ready to supply 3.2 beer on April 9, 1933.

The brewery has been sold several times, but always to the next generation of the Yuengling family.

 

Ok - so for the record jesskidden is a huge Yuengling fan. Good lord do you live in Pottsville, PA or something?

 

I'll take it over BMC or if I'm trying to save some money and just want a session beer or two at a bar. Maybe buy a 12 pack for a bbq or tailgate. Maybe... but with Sierra Nevada cans out mostly everywhere for a couple bucks more (12.99 for 12 at Total Wine)... I find myself buying less Yuengling even for events and parties. Lately I've really been picking up on the corn in it, especially after drinking something a bit more flavorful. I find that's what is most off-putting about it.

A few times a year I find myself playing beer pong, and definitely prefer the stuff over Natural Light, BMC etc. I personally believe craft beer drinkers and beer pong can coexist, it's just a game after all (and as long as you aren't wasting good beer on it)

Yuengling is weird because I find myself defending it to beer snobs, but talking it down to those that treat it like it's nectar of the gods. To me it is what it is, a decent lager that is widely available and that I mostly enjoy. It's my backup plan. I find myself in many positions where that's all there is when I'm out specifically for a beer, and it has definitely been a site for sore eyes out in the middle of nowhere. I will drink it over liquor, can't say the same for BMC.

 

Not particularly (in the past 2 decades I've bought one sixpack each of their two new products, the Bock and Oktoberfest. Other than that - nothing).

One doesn't have to be a fan of a brewery to recognize such inaccuracies.

 

Duly noted: but my facts are from the Yuengling website, which seems to be down at the moment. http://www.yuengling.com/our_beer/process.html

 

http://www.yuengling.com/ < This works for me. Don't know why your link is in-op. I stand by my post, not sure where you get your interpretation of some of those statements I challenged.

For one, their "Timeline" clearly states that in 1920 the dairy was built across the street from the brewery and for 1929 that near beer was the only product of the brewery.

 

Very insightful. We need more of you in the world.

 

The world could only be so lucky. Feel free to tell me more of my opinions are wrong according to you.

 

Never said you were wrong, but going to ignore the fact that you called that statement an actual opinion.

 

How can a true beer advocate not appreciate a well crafted lager? You must have run far and fast from BMC and never looked back. Don't write off entire styles because American corporations love profits and mass production over amazing beer.

 

This.

 

Ok - all biased opinions aside - I know a well as anyone from Eastern PA that Yuengling has a very strong foothold on the market and has become so engrained into certain people's heads throughout generations, that Yuengling has somehow become the poster child for ‘Lager’. Trust me, my brother-in-law is one of those misled beer drinkers, and only because his dad drank the stuff, like his granddad before him…. Lets all just face it – Yuengling may have been the ‘gold standard’ during prohibition, but there is a whole new standard set forth by breweries that have looked way beyond the restrictions set by prohibition and low ABV brews of corn and rice. Life is way to short to be drinking low-quality beer my friends. Please go to a local microbrewery and just give them a chance if you haven’t already.

 

Agreed. I understand the criticism, and when offering some qualitative aspects you dislike about the beer I don't find an issue, but I'm meeting more and more people that are ragging on the beer just because it's popular among beer newbies. When asked they just say "crappy, it sucks", never any explanation. This is exactly the scenario I spoke of... sticking up for it to "snobs" (often posers that started drinking craft 1-2 years ago), yet explaining that there are better options to those claiming it's the best thing ever.

 

I do in fact think that the beer is extremely overrated (i should have said with non beer geeks) and is crappy. How is that not an actual opinion?