On Oct. 1, Yuengling announced its collaboration with Hershey’s on its new chocolate porter. Not only was this the first time that Hershey’s put its stamp on a beer, but it was also the first time that the well-established Pennsylvania-based companies have worked together.
“Our new Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter took my sisters, our Yuengling brewing team, and myself nearly a year to develop,” says Sheryl Yuengling, sixth-generation of the Yuengling family and order services at D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
At a 4.7% ABV, Yuengling Hershey’s chocolate porter is a new spin that combines Yuengling’s nearly 200-year old dark brewed porter recipe with the world-famous taste of Hershey’s chocolate. The limited-edition beer uses Yuengling’s unparalleled brewing experience to artfully blend Hershey’s chocolate with caramel and dark roasted malts for a smooth, rich and delightfully chocolaty finish.
“We wanted to create a fun, one-of-a-kind experience, and this product is a collaboration of each company’s iconic recipes. For us, our dark brewed porter, known for its caramel and dark roasted malts, was the perfect match for Hershey’s iconic chocolate,” Yuengling adds.
Yuengling says that the beer is designed to go with a variety of different dishes, from cheese and barbecue to a more classic dessert and stour pairing.
“The full-bodied mouthfeel of the beer won’t overpower hearty, meaty dishes like braised beef short ribs, smoked brisket sandwiches, and beef chili. It has a sweet aromatic presence that also pairs well with a charcuterie board made up of nutty, creamy, and salty cheeses like Gruyere, Dubliner, Cheddar or Stilton. And, of course, if you have more of a sweet tooth, the beer has a smooth finish that makes for a delicious choice when enjoying various desserts such as gingerbread, caramel pecan cheesecake, ice cream and chocolate cake,” she notes.
In a time where collaborations, especially unlikely ones, are top-of-mind with consumers, this partnership takes it to the next level with its local angle.
“We saw a unique opportunity to partner with Hershey’s, a brand known worldwide for its iconic, delicious tasting chocolate, to deliver fans our first-ever beer collaboration. We spent nearly a year developing our Yuengling Hershey’s chocolate porter and are excited for the world to indulge in the classic taste of Yuengling dark brewed porter blended with the unmistakable taste of Hershey’s chocolate,” says Jennifer Yuengling, vice president of operations and six generation brewer, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
The beer will be available on draft at in bars and restaurants throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, West Virginia, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Washington D.C., Delaware, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Yuengling officials explained that the brew should be available through Valentine’s Day.