Yuengling Brewery: America's Oldest Brewery / Pottsville's Tourist Gem!

When you're from Schuylkill County, you take for granted Yuengling beer. It's everywhere! All the local bars stock it, and it's one of the cheapest beers you can buy locally. But when you leave the area, and see Yuengling promoted as a premium beer, or Yuengling signs hanging in a bar in Florida, that's when you realize we have something special here.

Yuengling beer, proudly brewed in Pottsville, Pennsylvania since 1829, is America's Oldest Brewery, and still family owned.

Dick Yuengling made the news the other day (and the front page of our local paper in fact!) becuase he was interviewed by Neil Cavuto, who asked his thoughts on the fact that President Obama did not serve American-made beer at the "beer summit" he held this week at the White House. Yuengling was quoted in the paper: "I find it kind of strange" that Obama did not serve any beers produced by American-owned companies, Yuengling, owner of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., Pottsville, America's Oldest Brewery, said during a telephone interview with Neil Cavuto, host of "Your Views" on Fox News Channel.

On the website, the company states, "Through five generations we have remained unique among breweries, distinguished by its culture, heritage, traditions, and portfolio of brands. Now the sixth generation is actively learning the business from the ground floor up."

This is truly a local success story. On their website they publicize a timeline of the history of the beer, starting with founder David G. Yuengling's beginnings as "Eagle Brewery" in 1829.

One of the more interesting tidbits in the history of the beer is how they survived Prohibition. In 1919 when the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified, Yuengling switched production to near beer products to survive. In 1920 Yuengling then built a dairy directly opposite the brewery, and until a few years ago they produced ice cream products. In 1929 the firm celebrated the 100th anniversary of the brewery, with near beer the only product being produced. Finally, in 1933 Prohibition ended and thee brewery celebrated with the production of Winner Beer and shipped a truckload to President Franklin D. Roosevelt to show their thanks.

In my opinion, Yuengling should ship a truckload of various varieties of Yuengling beer to President Obama, and tell him to serve it at his next "beer summit."

Yuengling has several plants now, where it produces its beer. But the site they started brewing at in the 1800s, on Mahantongo Street in Pottsville, still operates. There are caves built into the mountain where the beer used to be stored, and if you take a tour of the plant, the caves are now open to be viewed. It's a great tour that ends with a complimentary tasting in the "Rathskellar."Tours are also given at the brewery in Tampa, Florida. For tour times, click here.

The Yuengling logo has been produced on many items, which can be purchased at the gift shop in person, or online.

One of the most intersting stories, however, is that a local National Guard troop was permitted to somehow blend the Yuengling logo/colors on their patch. Click here to read the whole story. How many beers can you say are represented on a National Guard patch?

There also is a 2009 commerative Martin Guitar that was specially produced this year, and is being promoted for Yuengling's 180th anniversary year.

The ironic thing is that many locals have never visited the famous brewery that put Pottsville on the map. But tourists come from far and wide all week long to tour America's Oldest Brewery. The brewery and gift shop are only a few blocks from my Pottsville real estate office, and when I drive up the street around tour times, you see cars parked all over the block with out of state license plates. When we have guests come to town, I try to make sure they experience the tour.

The Yuengling dairy / ice cream plant sits vacant now, across the street. It is a shame that the huge brick shell of a building is no longer being used. Perhaps some day an investor will find a use for it, as it would be a shame to see this piece of history disappear. Yuengling ice cream is no longer made, but I remember eating it at a local ice cream shop that had a sundae bar where you could make your own sundaes.

If you come to visit Pottsville, make sure to stop in and time your visit around the tours. It's well worth the trip!

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA

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