In collaboration with Bolero Snort Brewery, Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Athletics launched Brew ’42, an American lager named in honor of the school’s rich history and ongoing mission. The specialty beer will be sold at all FDU basketball home games throughout the 2025–26 season.
The Carlstadt brewery is an Official Partner of FDU Athletics and will host pop-up beer gardens at the Knight’s home games at the Bogota Savings Bank Center (formerly the Rothman Center, 1987-2024), located on FDU’s Metropolitan Campus in Hackensack, 100 University Plaza Drive.
The can’s sleek design pays homage to FDU’s visual identity and official branding. The Knights’ colors and signature pattern are prominently featured on the 16-ounce aluminum can, while the number “42” honors FDU’s founding in 1942.
The first beer garden will be on Saturday, Jan. 17, when the FDU Knights men’s basketball team takes on Long Island University. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game. Fans must be 21 to drink and ID will be checked.
“We are thrilled to launch our partnership with Bolero Snort,” said Senior Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut.
“This collaboration enhances the fan experience in Hackensack through expanded concessions offerings at the Bogota Savings Bank Center. The creation of Brew ’42 also provides a unique opportunity for the community to further connect with the FDU brand, our student-athletes, and campus,” Hurlbut added.
Pop-Up Beer Gardens
Bolero will host Pop-Up Beer Gardens at multiple FDU home events throughout the year. In addition to Brew ’42, fans can enjoy a variety of Bolero Snort’s offerings while cheering on the Knights. Following the Jan. 17 game, the local brewery will be back on-site at the Bogota Savings Bank Center on Thursday, Jan. 22, as the FDU women’s hoops squad takes on Central Connecticut. Both games tip off at 7 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the FDU Knights for their 2026 winter season,” said Bolero Snort Founder and President Bob Olson Jr. “As both neighbors and strong supporters of community-focused initiatives, we look forward to connecting more with their forward-thinking, creative, and diverse student population. Be there toasting with crisp pours of our new collaborative American Lager — Brew ’42. Through this partnership, we hope to raise our glasses and toast to all that FDU graduates will achieve, thanks in large part to their fantastic education. Go Knights!”
Brew ’42 will also be available in 16-oz four-packs at Bolero Snort’s Tasting Room at 316 20th St, Carlstadt, N.J. It can also be ordered online. Olsen describes Brew ’42 as a 4.5% American Lager brewed with Cascade Hops and Lager Yeast.
“It’s a classic, crushable beer that pairs perfectly with everything from burgers to pizza to those irresistible tenders from the Bogota Savings Bank Center concession stand,” commented Olson.
Fans wishing to enjoy Brew ’42 and Bolero’s Beer Gardens at upcoming basketball games can buy single-game tickets here.
About Bolero Snort
When Bob Olson founded Bolero Snort in 2013, it became one of only 16 brewing companies in New Jersey, which was in the infancy of a craft beverage revolution. With co-owner Scott Wells, they opened a full-scale production facility on Dec. 27, 2019.
They built-out a 16,000-square-foot production brewery in the heart of the Meadowlands, at 316th 20th St., Carlstadt, and have since expanded the facility into a 30-barrel American-made brewhouse. With increased fermentation capacity, in-house canning, and comprehensive Quality Assurance systems, Bolero Snort has a welcoming public tasting room with indoor and outdoor spaces.
Special events are held year-round, including regular trivia nights (Bravo Trivia), themed music nights (Vintage Nights with vinyl), improv comedy (Junk Mail Improv), and seasonal parties, such as the past Bolero Block Party, featuring local bands and vendors. Books N Brews, the Silent Book Club, crafts, beer gardens, and themed gatherings are also on the menu. People are also welcome to hold their own events.
With Hoof Crafted Ales and Lagers, Olsen still works the creative side, developing new recipes, experimenting with new flavors, and using adjuncts. Wells has expertise in sales and craft beer and is the current President of the Brewers Guild of NJ. He is very much behind the “Drink Local” movement and a “champion of small business partnerships.”
Bolero Snort has brewed award-winning beers and developed new craft brands each year through its distribution company, Barrel Storm.
About FDU Athletics
FDU is home to 23 NCAA Division I teams. A member of the North Eastern Conference (NEC), the Knights have had tremendous success in the classroom, in athletic competition, as well as giving back to the Bergen County community.
FDU became the first school in NEC history to win championships in women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer in the same season (2022). In 2023, the Burgundy and Blue also became the first NEC school to win two games as a 16-seed in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, including an upset over top-seeded Purdue.
As a result of its incredible 2022-23 season, FDU placed 92nd in the Learfield Director’s Cup, the first NEC program to finish in the Top 100. In 2024, Salif Mane captured the Triple Jump title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, went on to win the gold medal at the Team USA Olympic Trials, and competed at the Paris Olympics.
In 2025, FDU won four conference championships in 35 days across women’s basketball, women’s bowling, women’s golf, and women’s tennis.
Off the field, FDU student-athletes were recognized for their community efforts by winning the NEC Building Communities Award in 2020, 2024, and 2025. In addition to recent championships, FDU holds four national championships, two in women’s fencing and two in women’s bowling.
