Yuengling is facing severe criticism from beer drinkers for showing support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. After the owner of America’s oldest brewery publicly endorsed the candidate, even avid fans of the beer have threatened a Yuengling boycott .
Earlier this week the presidential nominee’s son, Eric Trump, visited the Yuengling brewery in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, during a campaign stop. Joined by leaders of the Schuylkill County GOP, Mr. Trump was given a tour of the facility by the company’s fifth-generation owner, Richard “Dick” Yuengling Jr.
During a short news conference, Eric Trump praised the company and described how electing his father to the presidency is good for business.
“This is an amazing American success story. We need a lot more of these. My father’s going to make it a lot easier for business to function. We’re going to do it right here in the U.S.”
In response, Dick Yuengling expressed his support for the presidential nominee.
“Our guys are behind your father,” he said. “We need him in there.”
Shortly after the comments, many Yuengling drinkers went to social media and voiced their disapproval for the endorsement. Some even vowing to boycott the popular beer.
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
. @Yuengling_Beer I was a lifelong Yuengling drinker I mean LIFE. LONG. Will never touch it again, consider it poison https://t.co/1AloxdsncV
— Dan Espo (@dje432) October 26, 2016
I was until you pushed me too far. Never Trump. Dump Yuengling https://t.co/qmwMlbUKH6
— Davon (@davonmagwood) October 26, 2016
Even bars in Washington, D.C. are participating in the Yuengling boycott. After the endorsement, many no longer stock the beer and refuse to sell it. Gay bar manager David Perruzza went as far as posting a video on Facebook showing him disconnecting the Yuengling handle from the tap.
“Just so you know, when people support things that don’t support us, then we don’t support them,” he said in the video. “So goodbye, Yuengling, you are the weakest link.”
https://www.facebook.com/ddavidindc/videos/vb.629735794/10154424844120795/
Brian Sims, who is gay and a Pennsylvania state representative, plans to never drink the beer again, despite having been a favorite of his for 17 years.
“I’m not normally one to call for boycotts but I absolutely believe that how we spend our dollars is a reflection of our votes and our values!” he wrote on Facebook. “I won’t reminisce about your product or lament any losses. Goodbye, Yuengling and shame on you.”
In a separate post, Mr. Sims encouraged bars in Philadelphia to join the Yuengling boycott .
“Our communities know a thing or two about voting with our dollars and I won’t be using my hard-earned dollars to give power to any company or person who hates me, what about you?!? #LoveTrumpsYuengling.”
Yuengling has not officially responded to the boycott threats.
While many have threatened a Yuengling boycott, many others are supporting the company by pledging to buy more beer.
This isn’t the first time Yuengling has faced a potential boycott of their beer. Three years ago, Yuengling drinkers threatened to stop buying the brew after the company showed support for new “right to work” legislation that was introduced by Pennsylvania lawmakers. The new labor law would have made it difficult for unions to organize in the state.
Other companies have faced widespread rejection by consumers similar to the Yuengling boycott. Chick-fil-A experienced intense backlash after the company’s president publicly voiced disapproval of same-sex marriage. Later, the president somewhat backtracked on the statements and vowed to keep the company out of politics and instead concentrate on selling chicken.
After disparaging a potential North Carolina law that would require people to use the bathroom that matched their birth certificate, Target faced a boycott from many conservatives across the country. As a result, company sales fell seven percent in August, proving to many that the boycott worked.
During Donald Trump’s bid for the White House, other food and beverage companies have announced their support for the candidate as well. The CEO of Carl’s Jr and CKE Restaurants, Andy Puzder, has recently endorsed the candidate.
D.G. Yuengling & Son is a family owned business that began in 1829. The company has experienced many difficulties since its beginning over 180 years ago, even coming back from the brink of failure. Now it is just a matter of time before we know if the Yuengling boycott will damage the company’s bottom line, brand, and reputation.
[Featured Image by Matt Rourke/AP Photo]
