Hillsborough-based Flounder Brewing Company won 2016 Samuel Adams' national award and will debut new beer next month.
HILLSBOROUGH -- The Flounder Brewing Company, in collaboration with Samuel Adams Brewing, will debut its latest beer in New Jersey next month while putting the finishing touches on an expansion plan.
The micro-brewery won the 2016 "National Brewing and Business Experienceship Award" from Samuel Adams, an award given through the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program.
The beer is called Devil's Nectah. It's a cranberry honey helles lager, said Jeremy "Flounder" Lees, who founded Flounders Brewing Company along with his brother, Daniel, and cousin Billy Jordan.
The cranberries are from Massachusetts and provide a bright, tart flavor to the beer's smooth sweet base, Lees said. The honey comes from South Jersey, he said. The beer will be unveiled in the state on Sept. 1 at the Cloverleaf Tavern in Caldwell on Sept. 1., he said.
Other dates and places where the new beer can be sampled are in Tapastre in Somerville on Sept. 8; The Landing in Hillsborough on Sept. 23; Hops in Morristown on Oct. 11 and World of Beer in New Brunswick on Oct. 21. Lees said the brewmaster from Sam Adams who helped with the collaboration will be in New Brunswick with him and his co-founders.
The beer will also be available in Boston and Philadelphia, Lees said.
In June, the trio went to Boston as winners of the national contest. The winning prize included a three-day trip to Samuel Adams' Boston headquarters and the chance to brew a collaboration beer with Sam Adams' brewmasters. They will also receive a year's worth of mentoring and coaching with Samuel Adams' brewers and experts.
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Flounder, the program's fifth annual winner, was picked from 25 applicants who have worked with Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream, a micro-lending and coaching program for small business owners working in food, beverage and craft brewing.
Lees borrowed $6,000 through the program to start his business. He received his license four years ago.
"It was an amazing experience," said Lees. "We didn't know how in-depth it was going to be. We met with senior vice presidents in all different departments. We met with the owner, Jim Koch.
"We have 50 people we can call on in all different departments from finance to questions about brewing. The things we took away we started implementing immediately."
Lees said he and his co-founders are in the midst of expanding. Earlier this month, they purchased the building next door to theirs in the Hillsborough Business Park and have doubled their square footage to 3,000.
"We couldn't remotely meet the demand for our beer," said Lees. "We still open only once a month so people can get growler fills. We currently have six accounts and we don't have the capacity to keep up with the demand there."
Lees said Flounders, which has 10 seasonal and year-around beers, including its signature Hill Street Honey Blonde Ale, currently offers a tasting once a month. He hopes to increase that once the expansion project is finished in another two to three months.
Lees said his beer is on tap at Big Heads and The Landing in Hillsborough, Tapastre in Somerville, Chimney Rock in Bridgewater, Northside Lounge in Manville and Fox & Hounds in Lebanon.
Ten years ago, Lees was just looking for a hobby when he started brewing beer in the kitchen of his apartment. Now, he can pick up the phone and call Samuel Adams Brewing anytime he wants.
"We always had the dream to be headed where we're heading but to be this far along and looking back is a wonderful feeling," said Lees. "It's also extremely humbling. We're extremely grateful for all the support and seeing how people enjoy the beer we make."
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.