Hendler Family Brewing was again the largest brewer in Central Massachusetts in 2025, surpassing the 100,000-barrel milestone for the first time.Fueled by its acquisitions of Worcester-based Wormtown Brewery and Everett-based Night Shift Brewing in 2024, the parent company of Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers produced 101,000 barrels of beer in 2025. That marked a 17.4% increase from 86,000 barrels in 2024, according to data from the national Brewers Association trade group.The second- and third-largest brewers in the region are both brands operated under the Boston-based Barrel One Collective. Its Westminster-based Wachusett Brewery produced 15,000 barrels in 2025 while Worcester-based Greater Good Imperial Brewing produced 12,000, according to data provided to the WBJ Research Department.Statewide, the largest craft brewer in Massachusetts is Boston Beer Co., parent company of Sam Adams Boston Brewery. It produced 1.03 million barrels in 2025. Second statewide is the combined brands under Barrel One, which manufactured 104,960 barrels. Hendler is third.
Hendler
A barrel of beer equals 31 gallons. Hendler’s 3.13 million gallons of beer in 2025 could fill almost five Olympic-size swimming pools.Hendler employs 149 people in Central Massachusetts and 334 companywide, with 66 different products across its brands, according to information provided to the WBJ Research Department. In addition to producing the Night Shift, Wormtown, and Masshole beer brands, Hendler performs contract brewing through its Jack’s Beverage Co. subsidiary.Sam Hendler, CEO of Hendler Family Brewing, the largest brewer in Central Massachusetts with its Jack's Abby, Wormtown, and Night Shift brands. PHOTO | COURTESY OF HENDLER FAMILY BREWINGHendler has looked to reenergize existing locations since its acquisition of Wormtown, renovating its Worcester taproom and reopening it in April.The company renovated and rebranded its former Wormtown taproom at Patriot Place in Foxborough into the Mass Appeal Draught House & Grille, showcasing Hendler’s full line of beer offerings, the company announced Thursday. The revamped taproom will offer the opportunity to introduce the company’s brands to an international audience, as the first of seven FIFA World Cup matches to be held in Foxborough kicks off June 13. Hendler is a family-owned business, led by CEO Sam Hendler. The company’s growth comes amid broader contraction in the craft brewing industry. Nationwide craft beer production fell 5% in 2025, according to the Brewers Association. 60% of breweries reported declines in production, while 39% reported increases.
The field
The second-largest brewery last year in Central Massachusetts was Tree House Brewing in Charlton, having produced 40,262 barrels in 2024. However, the company did not provide 2025 production data to WBJ or the Brewers Association.Wormtown's revamped taproom includes private event space, with a semi-private pergola surrounded by greenery. PHOTO COURTESY OF HENDLER FAMILY BREWING CO.Last year’s fifth-largest Central Massachusetts brewery, Hudson-based Medusa Brewing, also didn’t provide data for 2025, after producing 4,000 barrels in 2024.With Tree House and Medusa out of the running, the region’s fourth-largest brewery is now Westborough-based Cold Harbor Brewing, having produced 2,100 barrels. Fifth is Rapscallion Brewery & Taproom in Sturbridge, with 2,000 barrels. Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries.
