As PA brewers push the limits and constantly craft new delicious brews, there are some beers that started the craft movement in the state and helped motivate lots of current brewers.
We talked with 12 professional brewers and brewery owners across Pennsylvania and asked them: “What are the most important beers in PA Craft Beer History?”. Below are their responses!
“Obviously Yuengling Lager from the standpoint that it is likely PA’s first real craft beer and gave consumers another option than mass-produced light lager. The next two are what really pushed me into craft beer and started my hop addiction. Troegs Hopback Amber Ale. The moment I first tasted it I knew I needed more of it or beers similar which led to my finding Victory Hop Devil IPA. I drank a lot of those two beers back in the early 2000s.” – Wade Leedy, Owner of Fourscore Beer Company
“There are definitely a few of these but one specifically comes to mind and that’s Troegs Mad Elf, I remember being completely BLOWN away the first time I took a sip of that beer. It was unique and complex and being 21 at the time I loved the high ABV lol it was really something special and really showed me what craft beer in pa was capable of.” – Matt Nitchke, Head Brewer of Ten7 Brewing Company
“One has gotta be Yuengling. It was one of the first beers I remember seeing as a kid that wasn’t light pale yellow. Stoudts Pale Ale was another that was readily available and delicious.” – Ian Staab, Owner of Yellow Bridge Brewing
“I think the most important would have to be Yuengling. For most people, stepping up from the cheaper stuff into Yuengling, which is just another small leap to getting into craft beer. Not a single beer, but definitely Yards. At least in my area, Yards is available almost everywhere and they make such a wide variety of styles, they have to play a super important role in getting people into craft beer.”
Finally, Victory Prima Pils. Victory is one of the oldest craft breweries in the state, and after Yuengling, they’re the biggest. Prima Pils is important for me because it was one of the first non-IPA/Imperial Stouts that I really liked at the beginning of my craft beer drinking, and was one of the beers that got me to branch out to try more styles.” – Jake Howell, Head Brewer and Co-Owner of Second Sin Brewing Company
“Hop Devil – first major PA IPA early innovators on the style. Yuengling Lager- opens up people to full-flavored beer, among other obvious reasons.” – Mike LaRosa, Director Of Brewing Operations at New Trail Brewing
“Anything by Penn Brewing. They made brewpubs cool before brewpubs were cool.” – Dan Woodske, Owner of Beaver Brewing Company
“The edgy but true answer is Yeungling Lager. PA is well known for volume per capita, and a big reason for this is the big Y. it shines a light on our state, and that in turn can provide some exposure to the rest of us. As for some others, worth mentioning is Dock Street (has to be DS Amber, the first all-grain brewery in the state), Yards (Philly Pale or ESA), and if we are being totally honest, Tired Hands (OG Milkshake, love it or hate it, but it did alter the entire landscape). Finally, from a total impact in the industry, shout out to Carol Stoudt and Gold Lager.” – Mike LaCouture, co-owner of Broken Goblet Brewing
“There are so many styles that are important to craft beer history. I think specifically in PA it’s hard to ignore Yuengling. Troegs Troegenator is an important one because they built a brand and brewery around a style that isn’t very popular in the US. Personally one for me is Mad Elf… we all can remember that first time we discovered Mad Elf at our local bar.” – Ryan Seiz, Brewmaster of Warwick Farm Brewing
“Prima Pils is one of the best beers in the state. It’s one I have found myself gravitate towards often. Light and easy drinker.” – Zach Waltz, Owner of Union Brothers Brewing
“Yuengling Lager, it counts. Victory Prima Pils is the best pilsner out there. Troegs Sunshine Pils is fantastic as well. Troegs Hopback Amber was the first beer that re-sparked my interest in craft beer. These guys really led the craft beer charge in a pretty backward state when it comes it anything alcohol-related.” – James McGowan, Head Brewer of Great Barn Brewery
