The Hidden History series is about finding the common, everyday places and things we might take for granted in Tampa Bay — and unearthing their unique story.
Tampa Bay will soon welcome a new brewery to the area. Well, a new iteration of a brewery that has been around the Tampa Bay area since 1999. The newly revitalized Yuengling Tampa campus is set to open in Spring 2023. So, let’s learn more about how this almost 200-year-old beer made its way from Pennsylvania to Tampa Bay.
The beginnings of a beer
Yuengling was founded in Pottsville, Pennsylvania in 1829. This makes it one of the oldest operating brewery in the United States. It all started when a young German immigrant named David Yuengling started brewing beer in a tiny wooden shack. It survived Prohibition by making non-alcoholic beer and ice cream (what a combo!).
The brewery has been family-owned and operated for six generations, with its original Pottsville location still in operation today. Over the years, Yuengling has grown its selection of brews to include everything from traditional lagers and ales to seasonal specialties and limited-edition releases.
Yuengling Beer in Tampa Bay
In 1999, Yuengling expanded its distribution to Florida. Tampa has a strong tradition of beer and brewing, so it was a natural fit for Yuengling to expand its distribution to this city. Yuengling purchased the former Stroh Brewery Company facility. Then the company invested millions of dollars in renovating and updating the brewery, which was completed in 2001. The new facility allowed Yuengling to expand its production to meet the growing demand for its beer in the southern United States.
Yuengling’s entry into the Tampa market was successful, and the beer quickly became a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. In fact, Yuengling has become one of the top-selling beer brands in the Tampa Bay area.
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One reason for Yuengling’s success in Tampa is its commitment to the local community. The brewery has sponsored a number of events and organizations in the area, including the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team and the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. This has helped to build a loyal following among locals who appreciate the brewery’s support for the community.
Since its establishment in Tampa, the Yuengling Brewery has become a popular destination for beer enthusiasts, offering tours and tastings. Visitors can learn about the brewing process and the history of Yuengling while enjoying samples of the brewery’s signature beers. In recent years, the Tampa facility has also become a hub for innovation and experimentation, with the creation of new beers and the expansion of the company’s distribution network throughout the state of Florida.
The new brewery
Slated to open sometime this spring, the Yuengling campus is expanding. The new campus will have:
- A restaurant
- Private dining for events
- Conference rooms
- An outdoor recreation center
- Coffee bar
- Gift shop
- Beer garden
- Multi-use concert and entertainment pavilion.
There will also be a digital interactive history, artifacts, and advertising memorabilia from Yuengling’s 191-year history as an American Owned and Family Operated Brewery.
