Jack’s Abby Buys Another Beloved Mass. Craft Brewer
Photo: Hendler Family Brewing Co.
Framingham brewer becomes largest craft beer producer in state
The family behind Jack’s Abby today etched a deal to buy Everett’s Night Shift Brewing, adding another popular, influential craft brewery to its lineup and cementing its place among the largest brewers in the state.
Hendler Family Brewing Co., owner of Framingham’s Jack’s Abby and Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery, will acquire the 12-year-old Night Shift, upping its total brewing production to 100,000 barrels—or 24 million pints—in 2025. The purchase skyrockets Hendler Family Brewing into the top 30 craft brewers in the nation.
The company has been on a brewery shopping spree of sorts; it finalized the purchase of Wormtown this year, as well, and recently announced plans to expand the brewery’s Worcester taproom.
Eric, Jack and Sam Hendler once ran a 6,000-square-foot brewery with a tiny taproom on Morton Street in Framingham. Now the brothers employ 300 people—including most of Night Shift and Wormtown’s staff—and preside over five taprooms and three beer gardens across the state.
“This expansion is not just about growth; it’s about building a stronger foundation for our teams and brands to thrive,” says Sam Hendler, co-founder and CEO of Hendler Family Brewing, in a statement. “By providing resources and stability to brands like Night Shift, Wormtown and Jack’s Abby, we will ensure that Massachusetts’ craft beer industry remains local and independent for years to come.”
Jack Hendler. Photo by Matt Tota.
Hendler Family Brewing will preserve Night Shift’s core lineup, including the hazy ales Whirlpool, Santilli and The 87. And Night Shift’s taprooms at Boston’s Lovejoy Wharf and in Everett, along with three Boston Beer gardens, will continue operating; they’ll also still only serve Night Shift beverages.
Although not operated by Night Shift, its Level 99 locations, in Natick and Providence, RI, as well as Encore taproom all remain in place.
The merger is made smoother by a co-packing contract that Jack’s Abby and Night Shift already had in place. Since 2022, Jack’s Abby has been brewing and packaging Night Shift brews.
“We are proud to pass the torch to the Hendler Family Brewing Company,” says Rob Burns, co-founder of Night Shift, in a statement. “Their commitment to excellence and creativity aligns perfectly with our vision, ensuring that our brand will thrive for years to come. We believe that this strategic move creates the best possible future for Night Shift. We know that HFB will honor the values we built and continue to create exceptional experiences for our fans.”
This story appeared as an Online Exclusive in October 2024.
