ILLINOIS — Following last month’s announcement it was expanding to Illinois in early 2025, Pennsylvania-based Yuengling said Monday it is now officially selling its beers on draft throughout the state. Founded in 1829, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. bills itself as “America’s oldest brewery.”

“As we look to further Yuengling’s presence in the Midwest, we are excited to officially begin pouring our iconic beers in Illinois as our next expansion state,” said Wendy Yuengling, chief administrative officer and sixth’generation family member, in a news release.

The brand’s flagship beers include Yuengling Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Golden Pilsner, and Black and Tan.

“I Ling, you Ling, we all Ling for Yuengling….my cleverness knows no bounds….i know. But in all serious we now have Yuengling on tap,” boasted Merichka’s Restaurant in Crest Hill (Joliet). A pint costs $4.75 at Merichka’s.

“We will be one of the FIRST spots in the entire state to pour Yuengling!,” says Player’s Pub and Grill, Prospect Heights.

“The Legendary Yuengling Beer just became available in Illinois as of Friday. We are the first in Illinois to have it on tap!! Come by and try one (or a few)!!,” Magoo’s Bar, located in Bedford Park, said Monday.

With the expansion in Illinois underway, Yuengling is telling customers to “ask for it at your local bar.” The company also has a “Find Our Beer” link on its website.

To celebrate the launch of the brands in Illinois, Yuengling said it will be visiting various locations throughout the state this week to offer consumers sampling opportunities.

Following the draft launch in late-January, Yuengling will become available in cans and bottles across the state at stores, restaurants and bars starting in early March.

Last year, Yuengling expanded into Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, marking it currently available in 27 states.

For the second time this season, Northwestern (12-7, 3-5 B1G) will take on No. 17 Illinois (13-6, 5-4 B1G), this time in Champaign on the road. The Wildcats are still looking for their first Big Ten road win, while the Illini will try to bounce back from an ugly 21-point home loss against Maryland on Sunday. Here’s how to follow along for Sunday’s match:

Broadcast Information

Location: State Farm Arena (Champaign, IL)

Game Time: 2:00 p.m. CST

TV/Streaming: BTN

Radio: WGN 720

Betting Line

Northwestern +7.5, O/U 151 (Odds Shark)

Injury Report

Northwestern:

OUT — None

QUESTIONABLE — none

Illinois:

OUT — Tomislav Ivisic

QUESTIONABLE — none

Associated Press

Northwestern Wildcats (12-7, 3-5 Big Ten) at Illinois Fighting Illini (13-6, 5-4 Big Ten)

Champaign, Illinois; Sunday, 3 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fighting Illini -7.5; over/under is 148

BOTTOM LINE: No. 17 Illinois faces Northwestern after Kasparas Jakucionis scored 21 points in Illinois’ 91-70 loss to the Maryland Terrapins.

The Fighting Illini have gone 8-3 in home games. Illinois leads the Big Ten in rebounding, averaging 41.8 boards. Tomislav Ivisic paces the Fighting Illini with 8.5 rebounds.

The Wildcats have gone 3-5 against Big Ten opponents. Northwestern has a 5-2 record in games decided by 10 or more points.

Illinois is shooting 44.5% from the field this season, 1.7 percentage points higher than the 42.8% Northwestern allows to opponents. Northwestern averages 6.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 5.4 per game Illinois allows.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ben Humrichous is shooting 36.2% from beyond the arc with 2.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Fighting Illini, while averaging 8.6 points. Kylan Boswell is averaging 13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, four assists and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games.

Brooks Barnhizer is averaging 18.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals for the Wildcats. Nick Martinelli is averaging 19.7 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Fighting Illini: 6-4, averaging 85.6 points, 40.7 rebounds, 14.6 assists, 4.4 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 73.5 points per game.

Wildcats: 6-4, averaging 75.0 points, 30.4 rebounds, 15.0 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.5 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.