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Phillies' Favorite Brew Has Tampa Connection, Too

News Channel 8 photo by PAT BRAMMELL

The Yuengling Brewery on North 30th Street is the only other place outside Pennsylvania that makes the beer Phillies fans go for.

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By NATALIE SHEPHERD

nshepherd@wfla.com

Published: October 23, 2008

Ralph Maerz and his wife, Betty, say they wouldn't miss a chance to see the Philadelphia Phillies play in the World Series.

"I was there in '80, never thought I'd see it again; '93 we were there, but we didn't win it," he said. "So, I'm hoping, I don't have much longer to go."

They bought tickets for Game 2 and drove up to Tampa from Fort Meyers this morning. But before heading to Tropicana Field, the couple made a detour to the Yuengling Brewery on North 30th Street.

Maerz has been a Yuengling fan almost as long as he's been a Phillies fan.

"We decided to come here first and then go over to the World Series game. So I'll have a double winner I hope tonight," Maerz said.

Yuengling is the country's oldest family-owned brewery. It started brewing beer in Pottsville, Pa., more than 179 years ago. It's the beer of choice for many Phillies fans, and it's served at the Phillies home stadium, Citizens Bank Park.

Tampa is the only other place in the country where the beer is made. The facility produces 800,000 barrels of the lager each year.

Brewmaster John Houseman says the Tampa-Philadelphia connection is exciting.

"I feel like I died and went to heaven because i just want to enjoy the series," Houseman said.

He says it has caused some rivalry between the Pottsville and Tampa plants

"They're obviously all rooting for the Phillies," Houseman said. "And everyone in this plant is rooting for the Rays to win."

Maerz says you don't have to be a Phillies fan to enjoy Yuengling.

"Philadelphia's willing to spread, it's the City Of Brotherly Love, and we're willing to spread our liquors," Maerz said

Houseman added he thinks the beer is a winner, no matter which team you're rooting for.

"I don't think it's got anything to do with the Phillies," Houseman said. "They drink Yuengling because they like Yuengling."

Natalie Shepherd can be reached at (813) 225-2703.

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