250 Years of Beers
January 01, 2026 until December 31, 2026
WHEN
2026 America 250
WHERE
Dacha Shaw and Navy Yard
ABOUT
Before there was a country, there was beer. From colonial taverns to modern taprooms, America’s story has always been poured by the pint.
To commemorate the 250th year of the United States, we're taking a tour of beer through the 50 states. Each month we'll feature a beer from 3-5 states in chronological order of when they entered the union. We'll feature craft breweries from across the country as well as some America's most American beer makers. From revolution to refreshment, learn a little bit about our history with us, and take a journey across time and states.
January
1. Delaware (1787) — The First State | Featured Beer : Dogfishhead Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale.
Colonial Taverns Were Civic Centers: In the 1700s, Delaware taverns weren’t just for drinking—they were places to hold elections, court sessions, and town meetings. Beer fueled democracy early on.
English Ale Roots: Early Delaware brewing followed English-style ales brought by settlers, favoring malt-forward, low-hop beers suited for local grain and water.
Modern Craft Revival: Today, Delaware punches above its weight in craft beer, with breweries like Dogfish Head helping redefine experimental American brewing—proof that “First” still means innovative.
2. Pennsylvania (1787) | Featured Beer : Yuengling Traditional Lag
German Brewing Heritage: Pennsylvania’s beer culture was shaped by German immigrants who introduced lager brewing, setting the stage for America’s love affair with crisp, cold beer.
Philadelphia = Lager Capital (Historically): By the mid-1800s, Philly was one of the largest lager-producing cities in the U.S., thanks to cool cellars and nearby ice harvesting.
Home of America’s Oldest Brewery: D.G. Yuengling & Son (founded 1829) is the oldest continuously operating brewery in the U.S., still family-owned and still iconic.
3. New Jersey (1787)
Revolutionary-Era Brewing: New Jersey had more than 100 breweries by the mid-1800s, supplying beer to cities, soldiers, and shipyards along the coast.
Taverns of the Revolution: Colonial taverns across NJ hosted discussions that shaped independence—beer was literally part of the revolution’s social glue.
Craft Beer Comeback State: Once limited by restrictive laws, New Jersey now boasts a fast-growing craft scene known for IPAs, lagers, and experimental sours.
4. Georgia (1788) | Featured Beer : Sweetwater 420 Pale Ale
Beer Wasn’t Always King: Early Georgia leaned more toward rum and cider, but beer gained traction as German immigrants arrived in the 1800s.
Pre-Prohibition Brewing: Atlanta was home to several successful breweries before Prohibition shut them down—many modern breweries are reviving those lost legacies.
Southern Craft Boom: Today, Georgia is one of the fastest-growing beer states in the South, with breweries blending Southern ingredients (peaches, honey, herbs) into modern styles.