Yuengling Black & Tan 12Pk Cans

Yuengling Black & Tan 12Pk Cans is a pre-blended porter-lager beer from America's oldest brewery, packaged as twelve 12 oz cans at 4.6% ABV. First introduced in 1986, this expression was one of the earliest hand-crafted draft blends to popularize the black and tan style in American brewing.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.6%  |  Origin: Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA  |  Style: Porter-Lager Blend  |  Brewery: D.G. Yuengling & Son  |  IBU: 17

Production & Heritage

D.G. Yuengling & Son was founded in 1829 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, making it the oldest operating brewing company in the United States. The Black & Tan combines 60% of Yuengling's Dark Brewed Porter with 40% of its flagship Premium Beer, blended during the brewing process rather than layered at the point of pour. This pre-blending approach distinguishes it from traditional black and tan preparations served in pubs, delivering a consistent flavor profile in every can without requiring any pouring technique from the drinker.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Mild roasted malt leads the nose, followed by a touch of caramel sweetness and a faint hint of nuttiness. The overall impression is restrained and approachable rather than aggressively dark.

Taste: The first sip reveals a smooth, medium-bodied texture with flavors of toasted bread and light coffee. A baker's chocolate quality emerges at mid-palate alongside subtle caramel malt sweetness. The porter component provides depth while the premium lager keeps the body light and sessionable.

Finish: The finish is dry with gentle roasted malt bitterness and a fleeting note of malted milk. At just 17 IBU, hop bitterness stays well in the background, letting the malt character close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Yuengling Black & Tan

Pour into a pint glass at around 45°F to let the roasted malt and caramel aromas open up; drinking straight from the can is perfectly fine for casual settings. The blend works well in a Beer Cheese Fondue, where the porter character adds roasty depth. Try it in a Black & Tan Float with vanilla ice cream, where the caramel and coffee notes complement the dessert beautifully. It also holds up in a Michelada variation, where its mild roast and low bitterness balance the lime and hot sauce without overpowering the mix.

Best For

• Introducing dark beer styles to friends who typically drink lighter lagers
• Backyard cookouts and tailgates where easy-drinking cans are essential
• Pairing with grilled meats and hearty pub-style food
• Stocking a home fridge with a versatile, everyday American craft blend

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Yuengling Black & Tan taste like? It delivers smooth roasted malt, baker's chocolate, light coffee, and caramel sweetness with a dry, lightly bitter finish. The 60/40 porter-to-lager blend keeps it medium-bodied and highly drinkable at 4.6% ABV.

How does Yuengling Black & Tan compare to Guinness Draught in a can? Both are smooth, roasty, and sessionable, but Yuengling Black & Tan leans slightly sweeter with more caramel malt character, while Guinness Draught is drier and relies on its nitrogen widget for a creamier mouthfeel. Yuengling also uses a lager component rather than a pale ale, giving it a crisper backbone.

Is Yuengling Black & Tan good for beginners? Yes — the 40% premium lager in the blend softens the darker porter flavors, making it an excellent entry point for anyone curious about porters or dark beers without committing to a full-bodied stout.

Where is Yuengling Black & Tan made? It is brewed by D.G. Yuengling & Son, headquartered in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, with additional brewing facilities in Tampa, Florida and Fort Worth, Texas to serve its expanding distribution footprint.

What foods pair well with Yuengling Black & Tan? Smoked brisket benefits from the beer's roasted malt contrast. Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the caramel sweetness. Grilled burgers with caramelized onions complement the toasted bread notes. Barbecue ribs with a sweet glaze find balance in the dry finish. Chocolate brownies echo the baker's chocolate quality in the beer.

What sizes does Yuengling Black & Tan come in? The Black & Tan is commonly available in 12-packs of 12 oz cans, as well as six-packs of bottles and larger 24-pack cases depending on market and distributor availability.

Is Yuengling Black & Tan worth the price? It positions firmly in the value tier of American craft-style blends, delivering more flavor complexity than most mainstream lagers at a comparable price point — strong everyday value for drinkers who want something darker without a premium craft price tag.

Why Yuengling Black & Tan?

When Yuengling introduced this blend in 1986, pre-blended black and tan beers were virtually nonexistent in the American market. The 60/40 ratio of Dark Brewed Porter to Premium Beer is locked in at the brewery, eliminating the inconsistency of bar-poured layered versions and ensuring every pour tastes the same. At 4.6% ABV and 17 IBU, it occupies a rare middle ground — flavorful enough to satisfy dark beer drinkers, yet light and low-bitter enough to appeal to lager fans. Backed by nearly two centuries of brewing heritage from America's oldest brewery, it remains one of the most accessible dark beer options on shelves today.