Hendler Siblings Channel Family Entrepreneurship into Framingham’s Lager Revolution, Blending Tradition with Bold Innovation
In the heart of MetroWest, where Boston’s craft beer scene meets suburban grit, three brothers transformed a shared entrepreneurial spirit into one of the Northeast’s most respected breweries. Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, founded in 2011 by Jack, Eric, and Sam Hendler, started as a daring bet on lagers in an ale-dominated market. Today, the Framingham operation stands as a testament to family bonds, hard work, and a commitment to crisp, high-quality brews that have earned acclaim far beyond Massachusetts.
The Hendler brothers’ story roots back to their upbringing in a family steeped in business savvy. Growing up, they spent summers laboring alongside their grandfather at the family’s ice distribution company, absorbing lessons in dedication and teamwork. With the family enterprise eventually sold, the siblings—Jack with his brewing expertise, Eric handling finances, and Sam leading sales—sought their own venture. Jack, fresh from training at Chicago’s Siebel Institute and Munich’s Doemens Academy, convinced his brothers to relocate from New York to the Boston area. Their goal: revive traditional lager styles using old-world techniques like decoction and spunding, sourced from Bavarian family farms during annual trips to Germany.
Launching in a modest Framingham space, Jack’s Abby bucked trends by focusing exclusively on lagers, a move peers called risky amid the craft beer boom’s obsession with hoppy ales. Yet the brothers’ “we can do this” ethos paid off. Flagship beers like Hoponius Union, an India Pale Lager, and House Lager quickly gained traction, blending authentic German flavors with innovative twists. The brewery tripled in size within years, adding a Beer Hall & Kitchen for wood-fired pizzas and on-site tastings. By 2021, marking their 10th anniversary with a blowout party, Jack’s Abby had solidified its spot as a regional powerhouse, even expanding with the Springdale Barrel Room for experimental brews.
The Hendlers’ success isn’t just about beer—it’s about community. Honored with awards like the 2018 Massachusetts Manufacturer of the Year and multiple RateBeer accolades, they’ve given back through initiatives earning the 2020 Tiffany Hometown Heroes Award for community impact. In 2024, they acquired Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery, further cementing their influence in Central Mass. Jack, now Chief Production Officer and co-author of “Modern Lager Beer,” credits their motley crew of multitasking staff for the brewery’s soul.
For Boston-area beer enthusiasts, Jack’s Abby offers a local escape: swing by the Framingham taproom for a pint of Smoke & Dagger or Mass Rising, favorites of the founders themselves. As the craft scene evolves, the Hendler brothers’ story reminds us that innovation thrives on tradition—and a little family hustle. With plans for continued growth, their lager legacy is just fermenting.
