Beer drinkers tap out on Yuengling after owner endorses Trump
Most fans of American lagers hold Yuengling in high regard. Aside from its distinctive taste, Yuengling is beloved for being America’s oldest operating brewery. It’s been family-owned for generations, and it’s produced entirely in the states of Pennsylvania and Florida.
This week, however, something happened that is dividing beer drinkers across the country: Yuengling’s owner, Richard “Dick” Yuengling Jr., publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president.
You see, the battleground state of Pennsylvania is a must-win for Trump. So on Monday, in a calculated and rather brilliant political play for Pennsylvanians’ votes, Eric Trump visited the company’s craft brewery in Pottsville, a source of pride for many of the state’s residents. And after getting a tour of the facility, he held a press conference with its fifth-generation owner.
Thank you to Dick Yuengling for an amazing tour of the oldest brewery in the U.S! @Yuengling_Beer #PottsvillePA #MAGA pic.twitter.com/XrGVbbOiI3
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) October 24, 2016
“This is an amazing American success story,” Trump told reporters, according to The Reading Eagle. “We need a lot more of these.”
“Our guys are behind your father,” Dick Yuengling reportedly responded. “We need him in there.”
And just like that, the Yuengling love from some social media users across the country was tapped out.
I just found out the owner of @Yuengling_Beer is a Trump supporter and I'm devastated I have to throw out the 6 pack in my fridge now.
— Scott GHOULdzahler (@shgeldz) October 26, 2016
Way to go @Yuengling_Beer ! You just alienated me and tons of people who drank you. I will never drink you again. Peace🖕🏻
— Christopher Fafalios (@chrisfafalios) October 27, 2016
My reaction when @Yuengling_Beer endorsed @realDonaldTrump WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, #YUENGLING? YOU USED YO BE COOL! I TRUSTED YOU! pic.twitter.com/7Z4MlTBhM3
— Desmond Lawe (@TheLawe912) October 26, 2016
.@Yuengling_Beer I assure you, I will see to it that every gay bar in DC tosses your product and removes your lines.
— Dito Sevilla (@DitoDC) October 27, 2016
Not all of the reactions to Yuengling’s political endorsement have been negative, of course. Many Trump supporters are now flocking to the brand, applauding the owner’s move and advising other supporters to make the lager their go-to beer.
@EricTrump @Yuengling_Beer So cool! Yuengling Lager is proof good American #Beer didn't start with the craft revolution. I miss #PA. #Trump
— VelveteenMole (@VelveteenMole) October 25, 2016
Stand behind this brave business!
— Females 4 Trump 🇺🇸 (@FemalesForTrump) October 28, 2016
I'll bathe in Yuengling‼️@EricTrump @Yuengling_Beer #Yuengling #draintheswamp https://t.co/fp8RFN2pvc
Buy some Yuengling Beer 🍻. Yuengling Brewery told Eric Trump they are supporting Donald #Trump #DrianTheSwamp https://t.co/5XSXGRMg0c
— TrumpToSave🇺🇸John (@JrcheneyJohn) October 27, 2016
#Yuengling is the new #AltRight beer of choice
— AltRight Networking (@_AltRight_Anew) October 27, 2016
Owner supports #Trump#MAGA pic.twitter.com/PONOfONALD
In protest, LGBT bars across Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. have begun yanking Yuengling from their shelves and canceling future orders. In a political climate like the one we’re in today, backing a presidential candidate — even when you’re a beloved beer company — can brew quite the backlash.