A Toast to Community and History in Honesdale
Runaway Train Brewery and America250PA debut “Declaration” as a tribute to Pennsylvania’s past and future. Nestled in the heart of downtown Honesdale—where the clang of the past still echoes along the old D&H Railroad tracks—Runaway Train Brewery is blending tradition and community spirit in a brand-new way.
Just in time for Independence Day
Runaway Train Brewery has partnered with America250PA, the Commonwealth’s official commission for the 250th anniversary of the United States, to launch Declaration—a Pennsylvania-brewed lager that celebrates the spirit of 1776 and the journey toward 2026.
Brewing this beer is an opportunity to gather the community, celebrate our shared past, and start the countdown to a once-in-a-generation milestone.
The label alone tells a powerful story. Designed with care and historic detail, each can of Declaration features imagery rooted in Pennsylvania’s identity and its outsized role in our nation’s founding. From the iconic silhouette of Independence Hall to a parchment listing all 67 counties of the Commonwealth, the artwork feels more like a family keepsake than a beverage label. Even the typography is historically accurate, pulling directly from the Dunlap Broadside—the very first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence, produced by Pennsylvanian patriot John Dunlap on the night of July 4, 1776.
Carrying on a celebratory tradition
“What were our founders doing after they signed the Declaration?,” asked Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. “In between the big moments, they were gathering with neighbors, enjoying local food and drink, and building the community that would shape a new nation. That’s the same spirit we see at places like Runaway Train Brewery today.”
Along the tracks in historic Honesdale, Runaway Train Brewery creates a space where the past feels present. Families come for live music, good food, and a taproom designed with care and character. Every detail—from the architecture to the beer names—echoes Pennsylvania’s railroad legacy. The founders bring experience in hospitality, media, real estate, and brewing, united by a shared belief in community, craft, and honoring local history. This is a place built to gather and to mark moments that matter.
Declaration is brewed and canned onsite with premium Pennsylvania ingredients and proudly carries the PA Preferred label. A portion of proceeds will go directly to America250PA, supporting events and initiatives across all 67 counties as the Commonwealth prepares for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
On Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:30 PM, Runaway Train Brewery will host the official launch of Declaration at their Chapel Street location in Honesdale.
Be among the first to taste Declaration, connect with the team behind the collaboration, and learn about upcoming America250PA events across the Commonwealth. Community members and local leaders are invited to raise a glass and mark this moment in Pennsylvania brewing history. For more information, please visit America250PA.beer.
