Boylan Bottling

The story of Boylan Bottling begins not in a boardroom, but in a Paterson, New Jersey, apothecary in 1891. Pharmacist William Boylan developed an elixir from birch trees, which he named "Boylan's Birch." He started out selling the beverage by the cup from a barrel in the back of a wagon. In 1900, seeing an opportunity for wider distribution, Boylan partnered with a local politician, John W. Sturr, to begin bottling the birch beer. While that initial partnership was short-lived, the company continued, eventually being sold by the Boylan family to the Fiorina family in the 1930s. For much of the 20th century, the company remained a local New Jersey operation, developing a reputation for quality and its distinctive, embossed glass bottles. A significant chapter in the company's modern history was written in 2003, when Boylan Bottling was acquired by Emigrant Bank and private equity firm The Courtney Group. This transaction marked a turning point, providing the capital and strategic oversight to expand the brand's reach beyond its regional roots. Today, while still honoring its birch beer heritage, Boylan is best known for a full line of craft sodas made with cane sugar, from black cherry to ginger ale, solidifying its place in the premium beverage market.