Photo History of D.G Yuengling & Son, Inc.

The books cover

When you ask most fans of beer and its history "what is the oldest brewery in America?" I am sure most could tell you it is none other than the venerable DG Yuengling & Son, of Pottsville PA. Most of them however, could not give you much more information beyond that. When did they start, how have they survived, are they still family owned, what did they do to survive prohibition? All these questions, and many more are answered in the new book by Robert A Musson MD, simply titled "D.G Yuengling & Son, Inc." from Arcadia Publishing, part of their very popular, "Images of America" series, that I am sure you have seen.

David Gottlied Yuengling

The book, while mainly a photo history, is FULL of wonderful facts, tid bits, and information I am sure most of you have never even thought about. Starting from its origins back in in 1829 when David Gottlied Yuengling immigrated from Wuttemburg Germany, to the small coal mining town of Pottsville, and started a small brewery. Some 180 plus years later, the brewery is going strong, in fact, stronger then ever before.

Ad, c. 1900

This book is a walk through the past 180 years of up, downs, adjustments, and changes to the ever changing world of beer here in the United States of America. All the while, being owned, and run by the same family. Now not just the oldest brewery, but the largest family owned brewery in the states, as well.

Employee group photo, c.1860

It is a story that will appeal to both lovers of beer, as well as Americana in general. Its the story of the real America dream come true, as corny as that may sound. It is full of hundreds of photos, from family portraits, to group shots, photos of the town, the facility, and tons of advertising. Its fun to see how the styles have changed so much through the generations, all while maintaining the same basic principle, to bring good beer to the American people.

Yuengling Ice Cream Truck

One thing I always wanted to know was how did the brewery survived prohibition?  It is  always one of the questions I have whenever I hear of a brewery that made it though it. Yuengling made "near beer" (cleverly called Por-Tor), and sodas, much like a lot of them did, but Yuengling survived mainly by turning to ice cream production, and it was actually quite successful, and in fact, they didn't discontinue production of it until 1985.

The famous "lagering caves" behind the brewery,
still part of the brewery tour today

This book made me not only wanting to drink a nice cold Yuengling, it made me want to learn more brewing in America in general, its roots, history, everything from the pilgrims to the current craft beer explosion.

My thanks to the fine folks at Arcadia Publishing for not only bringing this book to my attention, but for allowing me the opportunity to take a look at it, and share my thoughts. I greatly appropriate it, and loved doing so.

The book is available from Arcadia Publishing here.....

Enjoy my friends, if you get a chance to see this book, by all means, please let me know what you think!

Until next time
Bottoms up my friends

The Beer Czar