Hershey’s and Yuengling Just Partnered on a Vegan Beer

You can now drink vegan Hershey’s chocolate beer.

Thanks to a collaboration between America’s oldest brewery Yuengling and iconic American chocolate brand Hershey’s, beer-lovers and chocolate-lovers can combine their two loves in one beverage.

The limited-edition Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter is a new take on the brewery’s 200-year-old Dark Brewed Porter recipe. Unlike the traditional version, the new porter features “rich chocolate notes.”

It took nearly one year to develop the new recipe. It features Hershey’s chocolate syrup, cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs.

“We have a 190-year history of listening to our fans,” said Jennifer Yuengling — the vice president of operations at D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc — in a statement. “And looking for new ways to deliver quality and memorable drinking experiences.” 

“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,” she continued.

The 4.8 percent ABV drink can be paired with a number of foods. For the most indulgent experience, Yuengling recommends you pair it with a bar of chocolate (naturally).

“This Yuengling Hershey’s Chocolate Porter is sure to surprise,” said Ernie Savo, The Hershey Company’s senior director of global licensing and business development. “[It will] delight the chocolate fans and the avid beer-lovers among us that are looking to try something new and delicious.” 

Rising Demand for Vegan Beer

All of Yuengling’s beers are vegan, which is becoming more popular among consumers, particularly millennials.

Aleksandrina Yotova — a consumer analyst at GlobalData — told Beverage Daily last May, “Millennials are careful about what they eat and drink and as a result, are making conscious decisions to take better care of themselves, including when it comes to alcohol.”

She added, “vegan is also increasingly trending. The fact that major brewers like Guinness have committed to 100 percent vegan-friendly beverages in recent years also suggests this trend will expand hugely in the future.”

Yuengling’s vegan Hershey’s Chocolate Porter is available on draft only. You can find it in bars, restaurants, and venues across the United States for a limited time.