Wormtown Brewery reopened its Worcester taproom Friday with a new look and nearly doubled capacity, after shifting its production to Framingham.
The newly-renovated space is 8,609 square feet, nearly double the size of the former 4,500-square-foot taproom. The site is capable of holding up to 300 guests, with 16 total beer taps and a new private event space, the company announced Friday. The taproom at 72 Shrewsbury St. had been closed since July.
Space at the brewery was freed up by the shifting of Wormtown’s production to the Jack’s Abby Brewing facility in Framingham. Jack’s Abby parent company Hendler Family Brewing purchased Wormtown in April 2024.
“Wormtown has always been rooted in all things Worcester, and this updated space allows us to be more thoughtful in how we welcome guests,” Sam Hendler, CEO of Hendler Family Brewing, said in the announcement.
The taproom features a new menu designed by Casey Wilkins, head of culinary operations at Hendler Family Brewing. Items on the menu include tater tot lamb ragu poutine and chicken pot pie.
Beers on tap include offerings exclusive to the taproom, including Be Kool, a fruit punch double IPA; Be Lucky, a nitro Irish stout; and Welcome to The Woo, an American light lager. The taproom will test out brews Wormtown is considering for wholesale releases.
Hendler Family Brewing is the largest brewer in Central Massachusetts, having produced 86,000 barrels in 2024, according to the WBJ Research Department.
In addition to acquiring Wormtown, the company purchased Everett-based Night Shift Brewery in October 2024, with the Hendler Family Brewing Co. saying the acquisition made it the largest craft beer producer in the state.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries.
