FLEMINGTON -- Lone Eagle Brewing, a new craft brewery opening here this year, recently received delivery of its most important piece of equipment: A head brewer.

Alex Franko left world-renowned Dogfish Head in Milton, Del., to join Lone Eagle and help the brewpub make a great first impression when it opens sometime this summer.

Lone Eagle co-owners Todd Becker and Bob King said they were impressed with Franko's training, his pedigree (in addition to Dogfish Head, he worked at Dock Street in Philadelphia) and how well he understood all aspects of the brewing process.

"Alex brings a wealth of experience at some of the best breweries on the East Coast, but what we liked most about him is that he shares our vision for making Lone Eagle a destination brewery," Becker said. "There is no question from day one that we're going to have great beer."

Day one could come as early as July 4, if all the pieces fall into place, Becker said. Lone Eagle received its federal license last week and is expecting state approval by early June, after which it can start making beer.

The interior of the brewery at 44 Stangl Road is shaping up. Brewery equipment is scheduled to be installed just prior to Memorial Day weekend. The brewery is in a custom-built facility across from the Polo outlet store.

With Franko already on the job, he will have time to get familiar with the new brewing system and develop recipes for the initial offerings from Lone Eagle. He said he expects to start with a variety of popular beer styles--pale ale, IPA, ESB, porter, kolsch and Belgian-style beers.

Franko's first beer-making "system" was a home brewing kit that he acquired in 2009 when he decided to take up brewing as a hobby. His interest in the craft grew when he realized he could do it for a living. He landed a couple of internships at breweries -- most recently at Dock Street -- and completed an online brewing course from Seibel Institute of Technology & World Brewing Academy.

Getting hired by Dogfish Head was the kind of career opportunity that brewers dream about.

"I was pretty star struck at first," he said. "It was Dogfish Head! Everybody knows Dogfish Head."

Franko said a lack of hierarchy among the staff there meant that he was able to learn all aspects of the brewing process. "They focus on quality and consistency, and we had certain parameters for the beer so it always tastes the same no matter where you drink it."

The lessons he learned at Dogfish Head, Dock Street and other breweries will serve Franko well as he helps Lone Eagle create its own unique identity.

"It will be different than brewing on a large scale like at Dogfish Head," he said. "But if you're a chef, you can cook in any kitchen -- you just have to know where the pots and pans are."

So, why would he leave an established and highly regarded brewery like Dogfish Head to come to Flemington?

"It's kind of like a clean slate," Franko said. "Bob and Todd and I get to build it up and make it our own. We get to pick different beer styles and see what people like. There is more creative freedom. It's going to be a new experience."

Lone Eagle Brewing will be able to produce about 35,000 gallons of beer a year, or about 280,000 pints. The newly constructed 5,400-square-foot building will be able to seat up to 100 people.

It will be the only craft beer brewery in Flemington. Conclave Brewing, located at 15 Minneakoning Road in Raritan Township, opened last July.

Lone Eagle Brewing will feature almost 1,500 square feet of loft space that will overlook the brewing operations and the serving area. The loft will be able to accommodate private events for up to 50 people and will feature a draft system dedicated to the room.

Customers will be able to enjoy glasses of beer on site or take beer home by filling 32-ounce or 64-ounce growlers. The brewery also plans to offer cans of select beers in 4-packs. Under state law, the brewery cannot prepare or serve food on the premises, but Lone Eagle will partner with local food trucks and restaurants to serve brewery customers.

Lone Eagle's name is inspired by Charles Lindbergh, who earned the nickname after successfully completing a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.

For more information online, go to loneeaglebrewing.com.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.