Yuengling Brewery – Oldest in USA with Great Continuity

Amazingly, America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling Brewery David Gottlieb Jüngling (later Anglicized to Yuengling), founded the company in 1829, one year after his immigration to America from Germany. He set up the headquarters in Pottsville, Pennsylvania where it remains today. Originally named the Eagle Brewery, the founder later changed the name to Yuengling Brewery. Yuengling Lord Chesterfield Ale & Porter are their flagship brands of beer. Yuengling introduced the brand in the late 1800s as a part of Yuengling’s line of ales and porters.

Flagship Brew

The name “Lord Chesterfield” likely refers to Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, a British statesman. He was a man of letters in the 18th century, known for his wit and elegance. Yuengling named the beer after him to evoke a sense of sophistication and refinement.

“Ale” refers to a type of beer that is brewed using warm fermentation, which produces a fruitier and sweeter taste. “Porter” is a dark beer that was popular among working-class Londoners in the 18th and 19th centuries. The use of these names was probably intended to suggest that Yuengling’s Lord Chesterfield Ale & Porter were traditional, classic beers. It embodied the rich brewing heritage of the UK.

Yuengling beer featured a rich, full-bodied flavor and smooth finish. Barley, hops, and water were its principal ingredients. The result was a premium beer. Click here for Yuengling Beer and swag delivered right to your door.

Surviving Prohibition

During the prohibition era, Yuengling managed to survive by producing “near beer” with a low alcohol content. They also diversified into other industries such as ice cream production. However, after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Yuengling returned to producing its full-strength beers, including Lord Chesterfield Ale & Porter.

In the decades that followed, Yuengling’s Lord Chesterfield Ale & Porter remained a popular choice among beer drinkers in the northeastern United States. However, in the 1960s and 1970s, the popularity of lagers and light beers began to grow, and many smaller breweries, including Yuengling, struggled to compete.

Family Succession

After David G. Yuengling, his sons Richard and John ran the brewery, followed by Richard’s son Frank D. Yuengling. In 1985, Frank’s daughter, Margaret “Peg” Yuengling, took over as President and CEO. She served in that role until her retirement in 2015. When Peg retired, her son, Richard “Dick” Yuengling Jr., became the President and fifth-generation owner of the brewery.

Under his leadership, the company underwent a major expansion, building a new brewery and increasing its distribution area. Yuengling also began to focus on its heritage, highlighting its long history and traditional brewing methods. As a result of this renewed focus on tradition and quality, Yuengling’s Lord Chesterfield Ale & Porter once again became a popular choice among beer drinkers.