HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EVE

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Along with the new year, this evening we ring in the beginning of another momentous occasion. Yuengling will be celebrating its 180th Anniversary in 2009! That’s a significant achievement for our brewery. One that we’re very proud of. Everyone at Yuengling is appreciative of the continued support from our loyal consumers, retailers and wholesaler partners. You have all become a important part of our success and for that we thank each and every one of you.

Yuengling has been a family owned and operated business since 1829. Dick Yuengling, Jr. is the current President and Owner and is the great-great-grandson of our founder, David G. Yuengling. Under Dick’s leadership, we have become a prominent regional brewer, popular in the marketplace and widely recognized for the unique character in each of our seven beers.

Look for year-long programming efforts centered around our 180th Anniversary celebration! These will be showing up in stores and bars near you throughout 2009. We will be promoting the quality, heritage and traditions that have earned Yuengling the distinction of being America’s Oldest Brewery.

Tonight we have tremendous reason to celebrate – on the eve of a milestone anniversary year. So when you’re toasting to 2009, please take a moment to reflect on 180 years of Yuengling brewing excellence. Our wishes go out to everyone for a Happy New Year and much continued success! Please enjoy the night responsibly.

HOLIDAY SAMPLINGS

While consumers are busy shopping and knee-deep in holiday preparations, we’ve been working hard this month – conducting on-premise events to sample our variety of flavors. There’s no better time to slow down and enjoy a Yuengling Dark Brewed Porter, Original Black & Tan or Lord Chesterfield Ale than during the holiday rush.

A special thanks to the following Philly accounts for promoting our brands:
McGlinchey’s – proudly serving Porter draft for 38 years and sampled it during a recent Eagles gameTony Luke’s – featuring $2 Black & Tan pints during all Philadelphia pro hockey gamesThe Black Sheep – added Lord Chesterfield Ale draft to their fine assortment of craft-style beersMcCrossen’s Tavern – also added Lord Chesterfield Ale to their extensive selection of draught beerLook for any of our seven flavors on tap at a bar near you. Stop in to enjoy a cold one today. And savor the season!

EAGLEBANK BOWL

College football fans will be excited to hear that Yuengling is the official beer sponsor of the 2008 EagleBank Bowl in Washington, DC. The event will be held on Saturday, December 20th at RFK Stadium. This inaugural game pits the US Naval Academy against Wake Forest. For more information about the Middies vs. the Deacons, visit http://eaglebankbowl.com/.

This highly anticipated match up kicks off the college football post-season schedule. It is the first NCAA-sanctioned bowl game ever to take place in our nation’s capital. The focus of this historic event is to honor the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country. You can purchase game tickets at http://eaglebankbowl.com/tickets/index.html to become a part of college football history.

Yuengling Lager, Light Lager, Black & Tan and our Lord Chesterfield Ale will proudly be served at RFK Stadium for the big game. Buy tickets today and show your appreciate for those who protect our freedoms. Or watch the game broadcast live on ESPN and kick back with your own cold Yuengling!

DECK THE HALLS

Anyone familiar with Yuengling holiday shopping tradition knows that we have introduced a variety of creative collectibles over the years. No Christmas tree is complete without our Yuengling beer ornaments! Last season we rolled out our final ornament for the can series and the collection was finally completed. These clever holiday items are for sale through our online Gift Shop and make great stocking stuffers. To order an ornament can of your favorite beer, please visit our website at http://www.yuengling.com/shop.htm.

Now if you’re shopping for a true fan of the Yuengling Brewery, check out our lighted village collection! These limited edition buildings were released over the past several years to showcase everything from the original Brewery Office, Shipping Department, Cold Storage and Malt House to our Bottle Shop. Authentic detail and nostalgic charm make these the perfect gifts for anyone who appreciates the history and tradition of America’s Oldest Brewery. Or browse our large selection of Yuengling branded trailers, trains and vintage trucks – all available through our online Gift Shop http://www.yuengling.com/shop.htm. But hurry, the holidays are almost upon us!

75th ANNIVERSARY OF REPEAL

This month marks an important milestone in the survival of America’s Oldest Brewery. It is the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition. To give you a brief history of events… The Yuengling Brewery was founded in 1829. We operated a successful, yet relatively uneventful business until 1920 – when the beer industry as we knew it changed following the Volstead Act. The 18th Amendment went into effect and prohibited the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Breweries were no longer allowed to produce, transport or sell beer with an alcohol content higher than .5%. (Our beers now average around 4+% Alcohol by Volume.)

Yuengling survived Prohibition by producing three different types of near beers (those that contain less than .5% ABV). The company also diversified into the dairy business and began investing in restaurants, dance halls, and even Broadway shows to promote the sale of our near beer. It was 13 long years for everyone in the industry though, trying to survive not only Prohibition, but also the Great Depression.

On December 5th, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified by a ¾ majority of the states. National Prohibition was formally repealed, allowing the country to once again enjoy the great taste of beer!

The alcohol beverage industry has been honoring this anniversary all year long. But it is the month of December when we officially recognize the Repeal of Prohibition. Please join us in raising a glass of Yuengling to commemorate this important milestone. Lets all celebrate our freedom to enjoy the greatest drink on earth. As President Franklin Roosevelt said upon signing the 21st Amendment into law, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”

VARIETY OF FLAVORS

The Yuengling Variety Packs are back out at retail this holiday season and selling quickly! This package is available in select markets for a limited time only. It’s a full case sampler that includes four different 6 packs – one each of:
– our flagship brand, traditional amber Lager
– award-winning Light Lager, with only 99 calories
– original Black & Tan, which is a rich blend of Yuengling Porter and our Premium beer
– the distinct classic, Lord Chesterfield Ale, known for it’s robust and hoppy flavor

Not only does the Variety Pack offer an assortment of our very best beers, but it makes the perfect gift to take to any holiday party. Satisfy the tastes of all your friends and relatives when you bring the Yuengling family of beers to your next celebration! The styles compliment the changing winter season and pair nicely with all festive meals. Enjoy these recipes at your own table, prepared with a variety of Yuengling’s finest beers.

BLACK & TAN FISH GUMBO
– 12 oz bottle Yuengling Black & Tan
– 2 fillets of cod fish, fresh or frozen and cut into chunks
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup diced ham or bacon
– 3 stalks of celery, chopped
– 1 large onion, diced
– 1 cup bell pepper strips
– 1 large can Italian tomatoes
– 8 oz chicken stock
– 1 cup okra, chopped
– Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce, to taste
– Cayenne pepper, thyme and bay leaves, to taste

Lightly brown garlic in olive oil. Heat the ham/bacon, celery and onions. Add peppers, tomatoes, stock and beer. Cook until peppers soften. Add Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce to taste, along with salt and pepper. Add okra and cod fish. Season with cayenne pepper, thyme and bay leaves. Simmer until fish cooks through. Garnish with parsley to serve. Makes 4 quarts

APRICOT AND CINNAMON CHESTERFIELD ALE BAKED CHICKEN
– 12 oz bottle Yuengling Lord Chesterfield Ale
– 2 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
– 1 large onion, thinly sliced
– 1 pkg dried apricots, chopped and lightly dusted in flour
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely minced
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

In a 9x13-inch baking dish, place half the onion slices and apricots. Rub the chicken with garlic and ginger, and sprinkle with salt, pepper and cinnamon. Place chicken in the dish on top of the onions and apricots, then scatter the remaining half of onions and apricots around the chicken. Pour beer over it, submerging the onions and apricots so they don’t burn. Cover with a foil tent to keep it moist. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through, basting every 15 minutes with the liquid. Remove foil tent and cook for 15 more minutes. Top chicken with the cooked onions, apricots and sauce to serve. Makes 6 servings

Do you have a favorite Yuengling recipe? Send us a comment to share your best Yuengling dish. Cheers!

YUENGLING SERVED TO A SOLD OUT CROWD IN POCONO’S

Yuengling was on tap this weekend at the 17th Annual Great Brews of America Festival. This annual event is held at the Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony, PA. Rapid online ticket sales for this two day event resulted in a sold out crowd of 3500 people, on Saturday alone. The Great Brews Festival featured over 30 Breweries with an impressive selection of brews to sample.

Yuengling teamed up with United Beverage of NEPA for this annual event. Yuengling products featured this year included Lord Chesterfield Ale, Dark Brewed Porter, and Light Lager. Fans kept a steady line all day in front of the Yuengling taps. Yuengling retailer, Sue Grickis, attended the event providing Yuengling fans with the opportunity to get more than just a sample. She had a full service Yuengling store set up with apparel, hats, signs, barware, and much more available for purchase. In case you missed your opportunity at the Split Rock event, you can find all the Yuengling gear you could want at our official online store, featuring great deals for the upcoming holiday season.

We would like to thank United Beverage of NEPA for making this another successful event. Brand manager John Walsh, along with Kevin Macaulso, Tony Casarella, and Bryan Gricts were hard at work all weekend long keeping the beer flowing. Thanks for another great year guys! For more information on the Great Brews of America Festival, visit the Split Rock Resort website at http://www.splitrockresort.com/gba.php.