History...
The Rushland Brewery first opened its doors in 1829. William Younglad, founder, comes from a family with a long history of brewing. His brother David is coincidentally the founder of America's oldest brewery, giving Rushland Brewery the place of America's Second Oldest Brewery. Being an outcast, William Younglad was not one to join others. He decided to pursue brewing after his high school science teacher told him the secrets of fermentation. He brewed his first successful batch of the now famous Apple Jack at the tender age of 17. Younglad's status as an outcast quickly changed as his fellow classmates gained knowledge of his brewing ability. Soon Younglad was able to make a living selling his Apple Jack to local Rushland youth.
The same year that Younglad first learned to brew he had also earned enough money to purchase what would soon be The Rushland Brewery. Situated in the now historic Rushland, Pennsylvania, The Rushland Brewery gave Younglad the space to let his pipe dreams run wild. In order to maintain constant maintenance of his brew, he constructed himself his own living quarters right next to the brewery.
Within the next six months, Rushland Brewery had gained fame throughout Bucks County and was even starting to develop a following in nearby Philadelphia. Younglad even went as far as to open his very own tavern and inn within 300 feet of the brewery. This proved to be a huge success as townspeople, travelers, and even the brewery's workers found this to be their favorite hot spot.
Fearing William's success, his brother David was determined to destroy Rushland Brewery. Learning of his plan, William hid five 5 gallon carboys of his finest brew in secret compartments throughout the brewery. On an August evening in 1845 while William was away on business, his brother broke into the brewery and destroyed much of its equipment. Finding two of the hidden carboys of brew, he quickly through them into the creek that bordered the brewery. When William returned and saw the damage that was done, he decided that he would no longer operate Rushland Brewery.
William pursued a new career in the dairy business on his large piece of land that housed his former brewery. Producing milk, cheeses, and ice creams, The Younglad Dairy was nearly as successful as his brewery had been during the early half of the century.
In 1899, at the age of 87, William Younglad passed away due to complications rumored to have been alcohol related. Approximately six months later, his son Frederick made an incredible discovery. The remaining three 5 gallon carboys of William Younglad's brew had been found. With this recent discovery fresh in his mind, Frederick made the difficult decision to reestablish The Rushland Brewery.
Using his father's original recipes, Frederick was able to authentically recreate the fine products that his father had produced nearly three-quarters of a century earlier. Frederick also incorporated the original glass carboys that his father had hidden into brewing "Rushland Brewery's Season's Best," Rushland Brewery's flagship brew, hailed by many as one of the finest alcoholic beverages available. Although Frederick died suddenly 7 years later, the brewery has been running without fault for more than one hundred years since his decision to re-open. Today, William's great great grandson Robert is the Head Brew Master, making sure that his family's historic recipes are kept true to their origins.