Julius Stich was born in Germany and trained to be a shoemaker. He emigrated to America in 1848, as a refugee from the political turmoil that was upending Central Europe. Stich settled in Cambria County, Pennsylvania where he practiced his trade.

In about 1858, at age 24, Julius changed careers and established a lager beer brewery in Carrolltown, Pennsylvania. He brewed for about fifteen years before retiring in 1884. After his son, Laurence purchased the Wahl brewery in Altoona, Julius followed him there.  Julius spent the rest of his days in that town and died on July 13th, 1893 at the age of 59 years.