Eagle's going on tap at South Jersey brewery - the Wentzstefaner

Wowed by Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, a South Jersey brewmaster is mixing up a tribute - called "Wentzstefaner."

Production will begin Saturday at the Village Idiot Brewery in Mount Holly on the first batch, said owner Vince Masciandaro, a diehard Eagles fan.

Masciandaro got the idea after he learned that the German wheat beer Weihenstephaner Hefeweize is one of Wentz's favorites.

Wentz reportedly had a Weihenstephaner at the Belgian Cafe in Fairmount the night before the Eagles' 34-3 romp at the Linc over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.

Masciandaro said Wentz has good taste in beers. The Weihenstephaner is made at the oldest brewery in the world.

So he decided to tweak his brewery's version of a traditional German wheat beer and name it after the rookie sensation.

"I kind of did a play off of that," Masciandaro said Friday. "It's a lighter beer; it's not superheavy, not superstrong."

Masciandaro said the brewery will begin making a batch Saturday morning. It takes five to six hours to mix, boil, and chill the concoction before letting it ferment.

It will take several weeks for the beer to ferment before it will available on tap, he said. A batch will yield 1.5 barrels, or 46½ gallons, he said.

Masciandaro said he had not contacted the Eagles about his beer, adding that he would be careful to not use the team's logo. An Eagles spokesman did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Masciandaro said Wentz seems like the kind of guy he would enjoy having a beer with. He said he would like to invite Wentz to come to South Jersey to try the beer bearing his name, or he may send Wentz some 32-ounce cans when the beer is ready.

If a pregame beer helps Wentz play well, Masciandaro said, he hopes the quarterback keeps up the tradition. The Eagles have a bye this coming week and resume play Oct. 9 against the Detroit Lions.

"I think they're going to take the next two games," Masciandaro predicted. "I'm extremely excited."

Brewery customers seemed willing to give the new beer a try based on comments posted on Facebook. One customer wanted to know if it would be available in bottles.

"Go for it I'm buying!" wrote another, John J. Bossong III.

Masciandaro said he believes the Wentzstefaner will be a hit "probably because of the name" and the Eagles' 3-0 record.

"People like something new. It will be good, too," he added.

The small neighborhood brewery makes one batch of a beer at a time and typically has about 14 varieties on tap. Its tasting room offers samples, pints, and growler fills.

If the Wentzstefaner catches on, Masciandaro said, the brewery will make more to keep it on tap - at least through the NFL season.

"If they keep winning, I think I'll have to brew some more," Masciandaro said.

mburney@phillynews.com

856-779-3814@mlburney