Emberside Brewery, a new brewery in Berkeley Heights scheduled to open in 2026, has announced the appointment of Tom Nielsen as director of brewery operations.
Nielsen will lead Emberside’s operations and help shape its debut lineup of beers.
Emberside will serve as a dynamic hub for craft beer, connection, and local flavor in the heart of The District at The Park — a 60-acre downtown destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment anchored by a walkable main street.
Nielsen was thrilled about the opportunity.
“After spending over two decades in the beer industry, leading a brewery like this from the ground up has always been a dream of mine,” he said. “I could not think of a more exciting project to bring that dream to life. I am eager to channel my experience and creativity into shaping something truly special for the New Jersey craft beer community.”
Nielsen began his career at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., where he spent two decades pioneering new brewing methods and helping craft some of the company’s most beloved beers, including Torpedo Ale, Hop Hunter IPA, and Hazy Little Thing. He helped introduce several new hop varieties to the craft beer world and has served in leadership roles across national brewing research organizations. At Emberside, he intends to build a rotating lineup of IPAs, classic lagers and experimental small-batch releases tailored to New Jersey drinkers.
SVP of marketing at The Connell Company Stephen Kilroy praised Nielsen.
“Tom’s deep expertise and passion for innovation make him the perfect person to bring Emberside’s vision to life,” he said. “He’s not only an incredible brewer, but also someone who truly values community and collaboration and we are excited to see Emberside come to life with Tom at its helm.”
