Rumor Mill – Nation’s Oldest Independent Brewery Expands / Breckenridge Christmas Beer “Elf” Giveaway

American Craft Beer|December 5th, 2025|

boxes of Breckenridge Brewery Christmas Ale and two branded koozies, set against a backdrop of a decorated Christmas tree and wrapped gifts.

(Courtesy Breckenridge Brewery)

Want to win a stash of Christmas Ale delivered to your home by the Breckenridge Brewery elves? We’ve that, “Words to Drink By” and more…

Breckenridge Christmas Beer “Elf” Giveaway

Breckenridge Brewery is ringing in the season with its legendary Christmas Ale — now debuting in festive 15-pack cans for the very first time! And to make the celebration even merrier, they’ve added mischievous Christmas ALE-ves (read: beer elves) into the holiday mix for one-day-only holiday deliveries on December 15th.

These cheerful little helpers will show up at your doorstep with a jolly grin and hand-deliver a Christmas Prize Pack stuffed with festive goodies, seasonal surprises, and everything you need to toast to the most wonderful time of the year.

Think you—or someone who deserves a little extra sparkle—should get a visit from our ALE-ves? The contest is open December 1 through December 10 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Just fill out the form HERE and tell the Breckenridge crew why you or your nominee should snag an ALE-ve visit + special delivery.

Entrants and winners must be 21+ to participate, but you probably know that.

Words to Drink By

“Life is about the hand you’re dealt, and how you play it.” – Tom Bobak, Founder & Editor-in-Chief American Craft Beer

A bottle of Yuengling Traditional Lager next to a full glass of the same beer, with condensation on both containers, on a table against a black background.

(Courtesy D.G. Yuengling & Son)

Nation’s Oldest Independent Brewery Expands

America’s oldest brewery is making another push into the Midwest. On December 1, D.G. Yuengling & Sons said its full lineup — including the ever-popular Traditional Lager — will finally be available in Iowa and Wisconsin early next year.

Founded in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Yuengling holds the title of the nation’s largest independent brewery and has stayed in the family for six generations. For most of its long history, the beer stuck close to the East Coast. That started to change in 2020, when Yuengling struck a joint venture with Molson Coors, opening the door to wider distribution without giving up its independent status.

The partnership lets Yuengling brew at select Molson Coors facilities, dramatically boosting production and helping the brewery push westward. Back when the deal was announced in 2020, Yuengling was sold in just 22 states and Washington, D.C. Once Iowa and Wisconsin officially come online, the brand will pour in 30 states plus the capital — a major milestone for a brewery that took nearly two centuries to step beyond its regional roots.

“As a [sixth]-generation family brewer, our family has always believed that great beer brings people together,” chief administrative officer Wendy Yuengling said in a press release. “Each new state we enter feels like welcoming more people into the Yuengling family.”

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