D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. | A book about beer, with pictures!

According to The Brewers Association as of June 2013 we stood at 2,538 breweries in this fine nation. At the previous peak in 1887 that number stood at 2,011. One of the few breweries that existed in 1887 that’s still around today is Yuengling.

It’s not very often that I read books about beer. Most books that pass through my hands come from esteemed author’s such as Dr. Seuss or from publisher’s like Harvard Business Review. That said, it’s nice to hold a book that relates to one of my favorite beverages AND has a cornucopia of pictures. While Yuengling isn’t necessarily a beer you’ll find me enjoying too often it does hold a special place in this snobs heart as for a long time – in the dark days of “not a lot of great beer in Knoxville” – Yuengling was a staple. Also, Yuengling is one of the few beers it seems like everyone has on draft or in bottle. When you walk into a bar and see the usual suspects, Yuengling is there to save the day.

Yuengling has brewed beer in Pottsville, PA since 1829. That’s not a typo, 1829. Further, Yuengling has stayed in family hands. There aren’t too many companies you can say that about much less breweries (can anyone name another US based brewery that’s been around that long – in the same family?) The book Images of America D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. captures the history of this fine company as well as those that ran it. The author, Robert A. Musson, MD, is a practicing physician and a collector of beer memorabilia. In 1979 a family vacation included a pit stop at Yuengling brewery. I’m sure we can all relate to the obligatory brewery pit stops during family vacations, business trips, holiday travel, on the way to dinner, after dinner, etc. This particular pit stop in 1979 included a personal, hour-long tour with the then owner Richard Yuengling. This was well before the common brewery tours we’re used to today. Richard saw some interested folks and was proud to show them around. This made a significant impact on Robert and kicked off a life-long fascination with the brewery. Many of the pictures included in the book come from the author’s collection with the remainder coming from the Yuengling family – many of which are being shared with the public for the first time. Images include those of the lagering caves beneath the brewery (picture on the left), various brewery expansions, advertising, packaging, those brewing, packaging and delivering the beer as well as the way those modes changed over the years. It is incredible to see how this brewery evolved and grew over the years. Further, this brewery survived prohibition – which many did not. [Want to know how? Read the book!] Also, during the 1970’s many breweries struggled, Yuengling survived and in the late 1980’s came out swinging setting the trajectory of growth that created the Yuengling we know today.

There was also another piece of beer history that I didn’t expect to find – King Gambrinus, the patron saint of brewing! How did I not know about this guy?! Yuengling knew and showed their respect to this saint in an 1880 lithograph. While I’ve never been a beer memorabilia collector, I’d proudly hang this lithograph in my man cave…or maybe even in my office. I also learned that Yuengling brewed a stout that ended in 1910. Should any of the Yuengling crew find this humble post, I beseech thee to bring this back!

All that said, great book, awesome collection of Yuengling beer history that shows the perseverance of a great  brewery and an awesome family. Be sure to check it out – it would also be a great stocking stuffer – just saying!

Cheers!

Reprinted with permission from D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. , by Robert A. Musson, MD $21.99, Arcadia Publishing. Available at local retailers, online bookstores, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or (888) 313-2665.