The new brew helps celebrate America’s 250th anniversary…
Let’s get one thing straight: Declaration Lager is not your average craft beer release. It doesn’t scream for attention with citrus bomb hops or barrel-aged bravado. Instead, it whispers, “Hey, remember what this country is about?”—then hands you a clean, easy-drinking lager brewed right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Runaway Train Brewery in Honesdale officially launched Declaration Lager on July 31st, 2025, in collaboration with America250PA—a statewide commission tasked with planning Pennsylvania’s role in the 250th anniversary of the United States. The beer is the latest in a series of regional partnerships designed to spotlight Pennsylvania’s heritage, and frankly, it might be the most fun.
At the release event, the brewery’s taproom buzzed with a mix of civic pride and casual beer talk. Local leaders mingled with beer lovers. There were speeches, sure—but also pints. The kind of gathering where you could just as easily talk constitutional history as you could argue over the best local wings.
So what’s in the glass?
Declaration Lager is a 4% ABV golden lager brewed with 100% Pennsylvania ingredients—light, crisp, and intentionally unpretentious. It’s built for drinkability, not dominance. There’s a gentle bready malt backbone, just enough hop bitterness to keep things tidy, and an ultra-smooth finish that makes it dangerously repeatable. It’s the kind of beer you reach for after mowing the lawn or while watching fireworks with your dad.
According to Runaway Train’s brewers, that was entirely the point.
“It’s a lager that everyone can appreciate,” said Runaway co-founder Dave Harvey. “We wanted something that felt familiar but still had a story behind it—something tied to Pennsylvania, to our community, to the moment.”
The “moment” is no small thing. America’s 250th birthday is approaching in 2026, and Pennsylvania—being the birthplace of American independence—is going all-in. America250PA is coordinating efforts across the Commonwealth to mark the milestone with everything from historical exhibits to community events. The idea behind Declaration Lager is to give people a reason to toast it all—locally, meaningfully, and yes, deliciously.
The label itself deserves a mention. It nods to the original Dunlap Broadside printing of the Declaration of Independence. Stylized text. Vintage parchment tones. A bold red Pennsylvania keystone front and center. All 67 counties are named on the can. This isn’t just smart packaging—it’s marketing with substance.
And while the beer is available now exclusively at Runaway Train Brewery—on draft, in cans, and in growlers—it’s set for a statewide release on January 1, 2026. Until then, if you want to get your hands on it, you’ll have to take a ride to Honesdale. That’s not exactly a bad thing.
Tucked into the northern end of the Pocono region, Runaway Train Brewery has quietly become one of the more distinctive taprooms in the 570. Set inside a repurposed train-themed building, it balances rustic charm with a food menu that goes beyond the usual bar fare. Burgers, brisket, sandwiches. Beer flights if you’re curious, full pours if you’re confident.
But for now, the spotlight belongs to Declaration Lager—a beer that manages to be both celebratory and humble. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s exactly what it claims to be: local beer with a purpose.
Raise a glass. This country’s turning 250, and Runaway Train brewed something worth drinking to.
