As others in the craft beer industry struggle to stay afloat amid declining beer sales and changing consumer preferences, Hendler has turned Jack’s Abby Brewing in Framingham into a growing beverage empire.
While Hender jokes that nepotism is how he landed his current gig at the beer company he runs with his two brothers Eric and Jack and with the advice of his father Paul, it’s clear there’s more behind his success than just family connections. A number of savvy business moves has allowed the company to grow through the purchase of other well-established breweries.
The firm sent shockwaves through the local beer scene when it announced it had purchased Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery in April 2024, establishing Hendler Family Brewing as the parent company of both.
Hendler told WBJ at the time no further acquisitions were in the works, but when the company became aware of a chance to buy Night Shift Brewing, another well-known craft beer brand based in Everett, it jumped at that opportunity, sealing the deal in October.
Jack’s Abby was already the largest brewer by number of barrels in Central Massachusetts, with 67,652 in 2023. With the acquisitions, the company is projected to ship over 100,000 barrels in 2025. Drinks up!
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
