Back in my jerkwater home town, about the only kind of beer people drink is the cheap stuff… except, when you go out to a bar (and it doesn’t have to be a fancy bar either), there’s almost always Yuengling on tap. Now if ye wasn’t born in or around Pennsylvania, mayhaps you’ve never heard of that beer company.
But… it’s the oldest brewery in the U.S. and they make some damn fine beer. It started operating when Andrew Jackson was elected President.
And it was one of my favorite beers to drink when I still lived in New York. And, when I can find it and i”m in the mood, it’s still my beer of choice.
One of the most interesting things about Yuengling that most people don’t know about is how the company grew its operation. It actively avoided growing too fast and for a period of time, it avoided growth altogether. Instead, it focused on producing really good beer and making consistent sales to existing customers.
During Prohibition, the company survived by making “near beer” (non-alcoholic beer… technically it had a low alcohol content).
Very creative.
The business is still family owned and operated. They sit on major decisions and refuse to make any quick moves which could jeopardize the business. They pay off debts quickly and they resist changing anything about the business unless it’s clear that it will improve operations.
This is the complete opposite of how the large beer makers operate.
And, in general, it’s the opposite of how many large corporations in the U.S. are run.
It’s all about making a quick buck and growing as quickly as possible.
Speaking of making quick fungolas… did you know if you bought $1,000 of shares in Delta Airlines, about a year ago or so, you’d have $49 today… if you bought $1,000 of AIG, you’d have maybe $33… and if you bought $1,000 of shares in Lehman Brothers back when they were in operation, you’d have $0 today.
But… if you bought $1,000 of Yuengling beer, drank all the beer, then returned the bottles for recycling, not only would you be happy, you’d have $214 in your pocket (assuming you returned them in an area that paid you for the recycling).
I call it the 401-keg plan.
OK, enough shenanigans. Let’s get serious.
If ye want to take risky bets with your money, or if you want a more “cookie cutter” approach to investing and financial planning, that’s up to you.
If you prefer a more conservative approach with a personal touch, then go here: