Yuengling fans in Northeast and Central Ohio can start celebrating with their favorite beer next month.Those in the Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo markets will have to wait a little bit longer, though.D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. — which announced this year that it would bring its coveted beer to Ohio — will release Traditional Lager, Light Lager and Original Black & Tan in the Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and Youngstown areas on Oct. 3.The remainder of the state will see the beer in November.The Yuengling brand has a cult-like, rabid following and the beer is expected, at least at first, to fly off retail shelves.“We’re trying to get as much as we possibly can,” said Jon Albrecht, beer buyer for the Acme Fresh Market chain in Akron.The family-owned brewery, based in Pottsville, Pa., bills itself as “America’s Oldest Brewery,” dating to 1829. It’s also the fourth-largest brewer in the United States, according to the Craft Brewers Association in Boulder, Colo.Despite being right next door, Yuengling hasn’t been distributed in Ohio, forcing many hard-core fans to make special trips to Pennsylvania or other states where it can be found.Obsessed Ohio fans have hounded the brewery for years to start selling in the Buckeye State and even created the website “BringYuengling
toOhio.com.”Ohio is the only state bordering Pennsylvania where the beer isn’t distributed. Yuengling expanded capacity at its Mill Creek brewery to accommodate the Ohio market.“Consumer awareness of our brands is very high in Ohio,” Yuengling’s business development manager, Pat Noone, said in a news release. “Retailers in the state have anticipated our arrival for a long time, and it’s exciting to finally bring Yuengling beer to our neighbors in Ohio.”The company couldn’t be reached Monday for additional comment.Yuengling distributors, recognizing the demand, are almost as enthusiastic as beer drinkers in their anticipation.“There’s great energy and excitement and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” said Jim LaRose, president and chief operating officer of House of LaRose in Brecksville.Paul Jenkins Jr., president of Columbus Distributing Co. in Columbus, said he can’t think of similar hype surrounding a beer launch.“I’ve been doing this almost 35 years and I’ve never experienced a rollout that’s going to be like this,” he said.There was plenty of excitement when Coors first came to Ohio in the 1980s, Jenkins said, but he expects that the Yuengling launch is much bigger because many Ohioans already have tasted it.“It’s just amazing to me the brand loyalty it already has,” Jenkins said.Yuengling also makes the Porter, Premium and Lord Chesterfield Ale brands. Those beers are expected to come to Ohio early next year, LaRose said.The state won’t receive the brewer’s newest beer, the just released Oktoberfest, he added.Jeff LaFlame, 41, of Akron, can’t wait until Yuengling arrives.“I have been drinking Yuengling for four years,” he said. “The appearance, bouquet, taste and overall impression of Yuengling products is hard to match and will be a welcome addition to the Akron market.” Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his beer blog at www.beer.ohio.com.