Emberside will be one of several new hospitality concepts at The District at The Park — a 60-acre downtown destination for shopping, dining and entertainment in Berkeley Heights. Other offerings will include a new Mexican restaurant, a steakhouse speakeasy concept and New Jersey’s first duckpin bowling venue. — Renderings by Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners/Courtesy: The Connell Co.
By Joshua Burd
The Connell Co. has made a key hire to support its growing lineup of dining and entertainment venues at The Park, its flagship business and lifestyle campus in Berkeley Heights.
The firm said Tom Nielsen, a veteran of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., joins its team as director of brewery operations. He’ll lead The Park’s new Emberside Brewery that’s slated to open next fall at the 185-acre property along Interstate 78, helping shape its debut lineup of beers as he collaborates with local partners and suppliers to launch the business from the ground up.
“Tom’s deep expertise and passion for innovation make him the perfect person to bring Emberside’s vision to life,” said Stephen Kilroy, senior vice president hospitality and marketing at The Connell Co. “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.”
Nielsen spent two decades at Sierra Nevada Brewing, where he pioneered new brewing methods and helped craft some of the company’s most beloved beers, including Torpedo Ale, Hop Hunter IPA and Hazy Little Thing, according to a news release. Connell noted that he helped introduce several new hop varieties to the craft beer world and has served in leadership roles across national brewing research organizations, giving him vast experience that he’ll use at Emberside to build a rotating lineup of IPAs, classic lagers and experimental small-bath releases tailored to New Jersey drinkers.
He returns to his home state as part of the team that’s reshaping the former Connell Corporate Park, creating a destination neighborhood alongside its 1.5 million square feet of office space. That includes The District at The Park — a 60-acre downtown corridor for shopping, dining and entertainment anchored by a walkable main street — along with two new apartment buildings with a combined 328 luxury rentals.
“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,” Nielsen 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.”
In the months leading up to the grand opening, Emberside will host a series of events celebrating its craft, community and creativity, the news release said. Among them is an upcoming Tap Takeover at Grain & Cane, on Jan. 21, where Nielsen will lead guests through a guided tasting of the beers on tap.
Other facets of The District will include Rosa Azul, a vibrant Mexican restaurant serving authentic cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails, alongside a casual taqueria offering window service for the outdoor garden and playground area. The site will also be home to BASH, a speakeasy-style venue with a wood-fired steakhouse, event spaces, multiple bars and 16 of New Jersey’s first duckpin bowling lanes.
Minno & Wasko Architects and Planners is the architect of record for the new phases, working alongside designer David M. Sullivan to craft what will be a mix of upscale studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes with upscale amenities that will make up RT500 and RT600.
“As we get closer to Emberside Brewery’s opening, we are excited to share what we have been building,” said Shane Connell, executive vice president of The Connell Co. “From the rooftop and cozy fire pits to the indoor/outdoor garden seating, every detail is designed to bring people together over exceptional craft beer in a welcoming and casual setting/Tom has been an amazing addition to the team. His expertise, excitement and passion for the craft are instrumental in shaping Emberside into a high-quality and authentic brewery experience for the community.”
Emberside Brewery is owned and operated by Table & Banter Hospitality, which oversees culinary and hospitality services across The Park’s restaurants, hotels, corporate buildings, residential towers, fitness centers and event companies. Emberside carries T&B’s mission, Connell said, offering a fresh destination where craftsmanship and camaraderie meet.
