OUR HISTORY - Yuengling (2024)

Founding of America’s Oldest Brewery

David G. Yuengling establishes the Eagle Brewery on Centre Street in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

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Our Original Brews

D.G. Yuengling started brewing Lord Chesterfield Ale and Dark Brewed Porter which continue to be brewed to this day.

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Eagle Brewery Destroyed

Fire completely destroys the brewery on Centre Street and a new brewery is built on Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, PA. This is still the site of America’s Oldest Brewery.

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A New Name

As David’s family grew and his son Frederick joined the business as a partner, the brewery changed it’s name to D.G. Yuengling & Son.

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Founder Passes

David G. Yuengling dies at the age of seventy, leaving his son Frederick in charge of the brewery.

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Beyond Kegs

Frederick Yuengling extends the brewery’s offerings by adding a bottling line to the plant.

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Gone Too Soon

Frederick Yuengling dies at the age of 51. His only son, Frank, takes over the management of the brewery while supporting his mother.

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Surviving Prohibition

The eighteenth amendment is ratified, enacting a call for the national prohibition of alcohol. To survive, Yuengling switches to production of near beer products and in 1920 constructs a dairy directly opposite of the brewery.

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100 Years of Brewing

On the 100th anniversary of the brewery, the only product being produced is Near Beer, including Yuengling Special, Juvo, and Por-Tor.

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End of Prohibition

Yuengling celebrates the end of Prohibition by producing “Winner Beer” and shipping a truck load to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The beer was delivered on December 5th, the day the 21st amendment was ratified.

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Lunch is Served

The Rathskeller was built as a lunch room for employees. In later years, it served as a tasting room for brewery tours.

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125 Years of Brewing

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New Brewmaster Takes Helm

N. Ray Norbert joins Yuengling as Brewmaster. A role he held for 40 years. Helping to develop some of our most cherished beers, like Yuengling Traditional Lager.

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Long Standing Leader Passes

Frank D. Yuengling dies at the age of 86. He managed the brewery as president and chairman of the board for a remarkable period of 64 years. Upon his death, his sons, Richard L. and F. Dohrman, assume management of the brewery.

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Recognition of America’s Oldest Brewery

As America celebrated it’s bi-centennial, D.G. Yuengling and Son was place on the national and state registers as America’s Oldest Brewery. This is a title that we are proud of and can be seen on every bottle of Yuengling beer.

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Celebrating our 150th Anniversary

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Yuengling’s 5th Generation Takes Over

Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling, Jr. buys the company from his father and becomes president. This allows him to find opportunities to grow the business through his passion of efficient production and distribution.

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Yuengling’s Flagship Brand

Dick Yuengling makes the decision to reintroduce Yuengling Traditional Amber Lager with the support of his brewmaster Ray Norbert

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Hard Decisions As Demand Increases

America’s Oldest Brewery could not keep up with the consumer demand of it’s beers. A difficult decision was made to withdraw from markets outside of it’s local area.

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Growing America’s Oldest Brewery

Seeing an opportunity due to the increase in demand, Dick Yuengling announces plans to build a second brewery at Mill Creek, three miles from the site of the original brewery in Pottsville, PA.

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Purchasing A Brewery

During a trip to Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training, Dick Yuengling was presented with an opportunity to purchase a former Stroh’s brewery. He saw how this would increase capacity for America’s Oldest Brewery and by summer production began at this new facility.

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Construction Completed

The construction of Mill Creek Brewery was completed in 2001. This brought Yuengling to three fully operational brewing facilities which greatly increased the overall brewing capacity for America’s Oldest brewery. This allowed the company to start expanding it’s distribution.

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New Brews

Yuengling introduces it’s line of seasonal offerings. The first being Bock, one of Yuengling’s original beers. Over the years additional beers included Oktoberfest, Summer Wheat and IPL. Yuengling continues to evolve our brewing capabilities based on consumer interests.

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Expanding Brewing Capacity

As Yuengling surpassed 2 million barrels in 2009, demand continued to increase and the Mill Creek facility was expanded to meet consumer demands.

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Yuengling’s Next Generation

Dick Yuengling has four daughters who have worked at the brewery over the years. Some joined right out of college while others gained experiences and then rejoined. In 2014, all four were working together once again and setting the stage for becoming the 6th generation to run this iconic family business.

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Dick Celebrates 30 Years

Dick Yuengling became the 5th generation owner in 1985 and celebrates owning & operating America’s Oldest Brewery for 30 years.

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Top Craft Brewer

Yuengling’s growth over the years positioned it at the top of the Brewer’s Association’s annual list of the largest sellers of craft beer.

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Iconic Eagle Rebrand

In a nod to our heritage, we rebranded Yuengling Traditional Lager, Light Lager and Black & Tan packaging.

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Golden Pilsner Is Released

Born from six generations of brewing expertise,Golden Pilsneris Yuengling’s first year-round beer to debut in 17 years.

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Celebrating 190 Years of Brewing

America’s Oldest Brewery has remained fiercely independent, family-owned and continuously operated by the Yuengling family for six generations. This year we celebrated 190 years with an iconic summer celebration, commemorative cans, and additional events throughout the year.

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Joint Venture with Molson Coors

The Yuengling Company was established as a joint venture between Yuengling and Molson Coors. This JV will oversee any new market expansion beyond the 191 year old brewer’s existing 22 state footprint plus any future New England expansion. The partnership is governed by a board of directors, consisting evenly of Yuengling and Molson Coors family members and executives.

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Breaking Ground In Tampa

Yuengling broke ground on the revitalization of its Yuengling Tampa Campus with a keen focus on attracting visitors to enjoy its rich history, impressive facilities and solid beer selection. The revitalization will feature an array of first-class amenities including a restaurant, outdoor recreation and entertainment areas, beer garden, and a pilot brewing system.

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Yuengling Expands To Texas

Yuengling’s flagship beers became available across the state of Texas in August of 2021. This was the first state in The Yuengling Company joint venture of D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. and the Molson Coors Beverage Company to increase Yuengling’s reach outside beyond its current 22-state East Coast footprint.

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Bongo Fizz is Released

Yuengling introduces a fruit flavored beer. The newest addition to its portfolio, Bongo Fizz is a premium beer made with a hint of natural mango flavor for a crisp, juicy, and refreshing taste.

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Yuengling Expands to Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma

Yuengling continues its westward expansion and adds distribution to Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Yuengling is now available in 26 states, furthering the availability of the nation’s leading craft beer.

OUR HISTORY - Yuengling (2024)

FAQs

Is Yuengling really America's oldest brewery? ›

Recognition of America's Oldest Brewery. As America celebrated it's bi-centennial, D.G. Yuengling and Son was place on the national and state registers as America's Oldest Brewery.

Is Yuengling owned by Budweiser? ›

Anheuser-Busch is now owned by AB InBev, which is based in Belgium; Yuengling remains family-owned. "The opportunity to engage and serve a new set of fans from some of the most iconic beer-drinking states is an opportunity we take very seriously," said Pat Pikunas, general manager of The Yuengling Company.

What does Yuengling mean in German? ›

Yuengling is an Anglicized version of Jüngling, its founder's surname and the German term for a "young person” or “youngster”. The family-owned brewery has traditionally changed ownership through the purchase of the company by the children of the previous owner.

Who is the owner of Yuengling beer? ›

(born 1943) is an American billionaire businessman and the president and sole owner of the Pottsville, Pennsylvania brewer, Yuengling. He is the fifth generation of the family to run Yuengling, and owns 100% of the company, having bought out his father in 1985.

What is the number one selling beer in the United States? ›

Modelo Especial remains the best-selling beer in the U.S. and its sales are up 12% so far in 2024, compared to a year ago, according to Bump Williams Consulting.

What is the second oldest beer in America? ›

Here are the 15 oldest American beers still available for purchase today.
  1. # 1 – Yuengling Lord Chesterfield Ale & Porter, Yuengling Brewing, 1829.
  2. #2 – Schaefer, Pabst Brewing Company, 1842.
  3. #3 – Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Pabst Brewing Company, 1844.
  4. #4 – Blatz Beer, Pabst Brewing Company, 1846.
Jun 7, 2022

Who did Yuengling merge with? ›

Beers from D.G. Yuengling & Son are now available in Texas as part of a joint venture announced last year with Molson Coors Beverage that would expand the reach of America's oldest brewery to millions more drinkers in 25 states outside its mostly East Coast distribution territory.

Did Miller Coors buy Yuengling? ›

Yuengling will remain independent and family-owned. D.G. Yuengling & Son Brewing Co., the Pottsville-based beer behemoth, has set its sights on becoming a national brand by forging a partnership with industry giant Molson Coors.

Is Yuengling made in China? ›

For all I know, Yuengling is an American brand. It's in your imagination that it sounds Chinese. It was not until I read others' answers that I came to know the seemingly Chinese named beer which is in fact brewed in the States.

What's so special about Yuengling? ›

Famous for its rich amber color and medium-bodied flavor, with roasted caramel malt for a subtle sweetness and a combination of cluster and cascade hops, this true original delivers a well-balanced taste with very distinct character.

Why does Yuengling give me gas? ›

Obviously drinking involves swallowing air that has to come out eventually too. Drinking beer releases carbon dioxide gas which builds up in your gut. Beer consumption results in bloating and excess gas because it causes yeast overgrowth in the intestinal tract.

Who are the Yuengling sisters? ›

In many instances, family businesses are passed along to siblings, sometimes for generations. In the case of Yuengling, America's oldest brewery, four sisters, Jen, Wendy, Debbie, and Sheryl Yuengling, have taken on the responsibility of carrying on a nearly 200-year-old tradition.

Is Yuengling still American owned? ›

Just as no one doubts the veracity of Yuengling's famed slogan, no one can deny the Pottsville, Pennsylvania-based brewery – which is still owned entirely by the Yuengling family as of 2022 — has become an American institution.

Which is older Budweiser or Yuengling? ›

Yuengling is said to be the US's oldest brewery and was founded by David G. Yuengling in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1829 — two decades before the next oldest widely-available beer that is still sold today. Originally, it was called Eagle Brewery, but the name was changed to D.G. Yuengling & Son in 1873.

Where does Yuengling rank? ›

Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies
RankCompanyCity
1D. G. Yuengling and Son IncPottsville
2Boston Beer CoBoston, Milton
3Sierra Nevada Brewing CoChico
4Duvel Moortgat USAPaso Robles, Kansas City, Cooperstown
46 more rows
Apr 18, 2023

What is America's oldest craft brewery? ›

Anchor got its start in 1896 in San Francisco, becoming the nation's first-ever craft brewery. Fritz Maytag, a descendent of the Maytag Corporation, bought Anchor in 1965 when it was on the verge of bankruptcy and helped usher in the craft beer industry in the US. Its most notable brew was Steam Beer, a pale ale.

What was the first American brewery? ›

The earliest record of brewing dates from 1587, and the first commercial brewery in the United States was built by the Dutch West India Company in 1632 in Lower Manhattan on Brewers (later Stone) Street.

What is the world's oldest brewery? ›

Weihenstephan was a Benedictine monastery in Weihenstephan, now part of the district of Freising, in Bavaria, Germany. This Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan is located at the monastery site since at least 1040. It is the world's oldest continuously operating brewery.

Is Yuengling older than Sam Adams? ›

“Yuengling is the oldest family owned brewery in the U.S.” Watson added that the change reflected the view that American craft breweries have long used a variety of ingredients in their beers, often going beyond malt for their brewing methods.

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