Picture This: America250PA and Runaway Train Brewery Release Declaration Lager

Last night, we happily attended the beer release event for Declaration Lager, the official beer of America250PA and the upcoming semiquincentennial celebration in 2026. Media, community leaders, local and state officials and patrons filed into Runaway Train Brewery in Honesdale to honor the collaboration beer and steal a few sips.

From wall to wall, curious patrons mingled with proud, local dignitaries in the old, train-car-styled brewery. Tireless servers weaved through the gathering mass delivering cold beers, warm soft pretzels and more. NEPA beer lovers and local craft brewery aficionados waited patiently for the beer samples to make the rounds. And a slew of officials hailing from public office, private enterprise and nonprofit organizations beamed with pride as they drank in the words of the collaborators who made the beer a reality.

The event’s emcee, Justin Genzlinger, CEO of Settlers Hospitality and partner at Runaway Train Brewery opened the celebration with a note of heartfelt gratitude to local, state and federal officials, brewery staff, media partners and everyone who made the evening possible. He also introduced reigning Miss Pennsylvania, Victoria Vespico for a stirring rendition of the National Anthem.

And as the cadre of revered speakers rotated behind the podium singing high praises for the collaboration and its resulting beer, Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director at America250PA, encapsulated the entire evening in a single statement. “Declaration (lager) is just another way to tell our story – it’s made with Pennsylvania ingredients, wrapped in Pennsylvania history and built through a partnership grounded in pride and purpose,” she said. Before long, samples of Declaration Lager flooded the crowd followed naturally by cheers, laughter and conversation.

Check out our highlights below for a quick look at the evening’s festive celebration.