Best Places To Buy Lion Brewery Root Beer

The Lion Brewery, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, offers a range of beers and sodas, including the beloved Lionshead Root Beer. With a rich history dating back to 1905, the brewery has become a prominent fixture in the beverage industry, known for its diverse offerings. The legacy of Lionshead Root Beer is particularly intriguing, as it was first introduced during the challenging times of Prohibition in the 1920s. Today, this non-alcoholic beverage continues to be a favourite, known for its thick, luscious head and enticing vanilla aroma. So, where can you buy Lion Brewery Root Beer? It appears that it is available for purchase at various locations, including the brewery itself, as well as select bars and restaurants, such as The Farm House Tavern, Settlers Inn, and Twigs Cafe Restaurant. Online sources also indicate that it can be found at stores like Oxford Beverage.

The Lion Brewery's location and history

The Lion Brewery, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1905 as the Luzerne County Brewing Company. The brewery was built on land purchased for one dollar from the Delaware and Hudson Company, with the condition that the company would build a brewery capable of producing 100,000 US beer barrels in the first year. The Luzerne County Brewing Company went bankrupt in 1908 but continued to operate. In 1911, the company reorganised and became the Lion Brewing Company, and in 1912, it began marketing Lion Beer.

The arrival of Prohibition in 1919 forced the Lion Brewing Company to change its product to near-beers, which contained a very low percentage of alcohol. The company struggled to survive during this time and, in 1923, its president was charged with violating prohibition laws. The brewery was then purchased by the Malt Beverage Company. However, in 1928, the brewery was raided and closed down for making high-alcohol beer.

After Prohibition was repealed in 1933, the brewery was purchased by The Lion, Inc., owned by the Smulowitz and Swartz families. The brewery resumed operations, producing beer under the Gibbons brand name. Over the years, the Lion Brewing Company underwent many changes in ownership and brand acquisitions. In 1974, it acquired the Stegmaier brand, which became its largest-selling brand. In 1983, the Lionshead beer brand was introduced and became the flagship brand of the brewery.

The Lion Brewery has a rich history, surviving Prohibition and industry consolidation. It is one of only ten pre-Prohibition breweries in the United States that has operated independently and continuously since the repeal of Prohibition. The brewery has invested in improving its capabilities and expanding its facilities, including the addition of a second 250,000 sq. ft. facility in 2022.

Today, the Lion Brewery is the second-largest brewery in Pennsylvania and the 15th largest American-owned brewery. It produces approximately 50,000 barrels of its own beers annually for regional distribution in the Northeast, including its flagship brand, Lionshead, which sells over 750,000 cases each year. In addition, the Lion Brewery produces contract beverages for other companies, including beers, soft drinks, maltas, and energy drinks.

Where to buy Lion Brewery root beer online

If you're craving the taste of Lion Brewery root beer, you're in luck! You can easily purchase it online and have it delivered right to your doorstep. Here are some options for buying Lion Brewery root beer online:

Lion Brewery Website (USA):

The Lion Brewery, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has a long history dating back to 1905. They operate an online store where you can purchase their beer and merchandise. While their website doesn't specifically mention root beer, it's worth checking to see if they offer it online, as it is part of their product line. Keep an eye out for promotions and discounts, and enjoy the convenience of home delivery.

Lion Brewery Co. UK:

If you're based in the UK, the Lion Brewery Co. in the UK offers an online shop with craft beer and merchandise. They provide next-working-day delivery for orders placed before 2 pm. Although their website primarily focuses on craft beer options, it's worth exploring to see if they cater to root beer enthusiasts as well. Check their website regularly, as they may introduce new products and promotions from time to time.

Online Retailers:

In addition to brewery websites, you can explore popular online retailers and e-commerce platforms. These days, many online stores offer a diverse range of beverages, including craft beers and specialty drinks. Search for "Lion Brewery root beer" on well-known websites, and don't forget to check customer reviews to ensure you're getting the genuine product.

Specialty Beverage Stores:

Some online specialty beverage stores may carry Lion Brewery root beer. These stores often cater to customers looking for unique or hard-to-find drinks. They may offer a wider selection of craft beers and sodas, so it's worth browsing their websites or contacting them directly to inquire about Lion Brewery root beer.

Subscription Boxes:

Keep an eye out for beverage subscription boxes or clubs that feature craft beers and sodas. Sometimes, these services partner with breweries to offer exclusive selections. By subscribing, you may have the chance to discover and purchase Lion Brewery root beer as part of a curated package.

Remember to check the delivery options, shipping costs, and any applicable restrictions when purchasing beverages online. By exploring these options, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the refreshing taste of Lion Brewery root beer.

Where to buy Lion Brewery root beer in-store

The Lion Brewery is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and is the second-largest brewery in the state. It was founded in 1905 as the Luzerne County Brewing Company and became The Lion Brewery in 1909. The brewery has a rich history, having independently and continuously operated since the repeal of Prohibition.

Lion's Root Beer has been around since the 1920s, when the company started brewing sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages to survive Prohibition. You can still buy Lion Root Beer today, and it is known for its thick, luscious head and wonderful vanilla aroma.

While the Lion Brewery does not appear to have its own brick-and-mortar store, you can buy its products in-store from various retailers. Unfortunately, I could not find a comprehensive list of retailers that stock Lion Brewery Root Beer. However, according to Untappd, some of the places you can buy it in-store include:

• The Farm House Tavern
• Oxford Beverage
• Hillside Farms Dairy Store
• Settlers Inn
• Twigs Cafe Restaurant
• The Third Gate Of Hell
• The Club House at Eagle Rock Resort in Hazleton, PA
• Coopers Seafood House in Scranton, PA
• Galaxy Hut in Arlington, VA
• King Street Oyster Bar in Middleburg, VA

Other beverages produced by The Lion Brewery

The Lion Brewery, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has a rich history of brewing that dates back to 1905. While they are best known for their root beer, they also produce a wide range of other beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options.

Beers

The brewery's flagship brand is Lionshead, which includes a variety of craft beer offerings such as Lionshead Pilsner, an American adjunct lager, Lionshead IPA, Lionshead Belgian White Ale, and Lionshead DIPA, a double IPA. The Stegmaier brand, acquired by The Lion Brewery in 1974, features beers such as Stegmaier Gold Medal, Stegmaier Oktoberfest, and Stegmaier Winter Warmer. The Liebotschaner Cream Ale is another popular option, known for its gold medal wins at the Great American Beer Festival.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

In addition to their beer offerings, The Lion Brewery also produces a range of non-alcoholic beverages. During the Prohibition era, the brewery struggled to survive and turned to making "near beer" and sodas. Today, they continue to produce sodas, as well as other non-alcoholic drinks such as Malta, a malt beverage, and energy drinks. The Lion Brewery is also a contract brewing partner for various beverage brands, including Pabst Brewing Company, and produces both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for these companies.

The history of root beer

Root beer is a sweet North American soft drink traditionally made using the root bark of the sassafras tree or the vine of Smilax ornata (sarsaparilla). It is typically non-alcoholic, caffeine-free, sweet, and carbonated. Root beer has been consumed in the United States since at least the 18th century and was often used for medicinal purposes.

Indigenous Root Medicine

The roots of root beer can be traced back to pre-colonial times when indigenous tribes commonly created beverages and medicinal remedies from roots, barks, and berries. Some of these drinks used sassafras, wintergreen, and sarsaparilla, which were thought to boost immune function, reduce inflammation, and combat allergies. These drinks were not for recreational consumption and often had unpleasant side effects when overused.

Root Beer in Colonial America

When European colonists arrived in the Americas, they brought with them the tradition of "small beer," or low-alcohol beers (around 1-2% ABV). These were safer to drink than water, cheap, and nutritious. Colonists observed indigenous people using sassafras and sarsaparilla and began making their own small beers, which they named "root beer." These drinks were generally not consumed for their alcoholic content but rather for their perceived health benefits and as a safe source of hydration. Families passed down their recipes for root beer, and it was sold in small shops and drugstores.

Root Beer goes Commercial

In the 1870s, Philadelphia pharmacist Charles E. Hires tasted a delicious root beer while on his honeymoon in New Jersey. He obtained the recipe from the innkeeper's wife and, upon returning home, worked with local college professors to adjust it for commercial production. Hires developed a way to turn the ingredients into a shelf-stable powder, which was easier to sell and distribute. He also removed the strong laxative effect of the original recipe. Hires was a teetotaler and initially marketed his product as "powder root tea," but it was not well-received until he changed the name to "root beer."

Hires' root beer was a commercial success, and he soon began selling it as a syrup and in kegs to soda fountains. The popularity of Hires' root beer inspired competition, and by 1893, root beer was widely distributed across the United States.

Prohibition and the Rise of Big Root Beer

The passage of Prohibition in the 1920s significantly impacted the brewing industry, with many breweries forced to close. However, root beer, being non-alcoholic, survived this period and even grew in popularity. Brands like Barq's (created in 1898) and A&W (created in 1919) leveraged their popularity during Prohibition to grow and dominate the industry, leaving little room for smaller producers.

The Banning of Traditional Root Beer

In the 1960s, traditional root beer recipes were effectively outlawed due to the ban on sassafras as a potential carcinogen. While sassafras was one of the main flavoring ingredients in root beer, it was found to cause liver damage in large doses. As a result, commercially produced root beer is now made with various extracts that imitate the flavor of sassafras.

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