Yuengling has released its first ever Oktoberfest. It was able to pre-sale 2,000 barrels without anyone having tasted it. Market Cross Pub has the beer on tap.

This article in Wednesday’s Harrisburg Patriot-News reports that Yuengling could soon over take Samuel Adams in sales.

“W hat’s in a name? – Plenty if it happens to be Yuengling.

“The 182-year-old Pottsville-based brewer is making a splash in the increasingly important seasonal beer market with its new Oktoberfest.

“The beer — a rare first-time product for “America’s oldest brewery” — began trickling into area taverns last week with little advance buzz.

“Yuengling Oktoberfest’s entry into the crowded and high-profile fall seasonal category marks a sea change for the company, which could soon surpass Samuel Adams as the largest American-owned brewer.

“Having carved out its place against mass-marketed, internationally owned beers like Miller and Budweiser, Yuengling is now shoring up its reputation as a craft brewer against a multitude of smaller but fervently followed microbrewers.

“But the balanced, malt-and-hops harvest brew wouldn’t have come about at all had wholesalers not been willing to bet big on the Yuengling name.

“Without anyone having tasted a single drop of the deep-amber beer, the brewery took pre-orders for 2,000 barrels’ worth.”  Click here to read the entire article.