The owners of Jersey Cyclone Brewing, Jan Chwiedosiuk of Stirling and Brian Teel of Belle Mead, have known each other since childhood, but after graduating from Watchung Hills High School, they went their separate ways. Jan went on to become a civil engineer while Brian became a CPA. In 2011, the devastation that would be known as Hurricane Irene hit New Jersey. Jan's family business, the European Deli in Manville, was underwater, and they needed manpower to clean up the wreckage. He reached out to his old friend, Brian, for help. Working side by side, their friendship was rekindled.
“We like to say we bonded while carrying an 800-pound oven out of the shop,” Brian says.
The duo started spending a lot of time together and realized they had a mutual love for home brewing beer. They began making it by the gallon on their stoves. Brain defends that it’s not as hard as it looks.
“If you can follow a baking recipe, then you can make beer."
—Brian
Through trial and error, the pair started making beers that impressed their family and friends.
So what inspired two buddies to branch out from being homebrewing hobbyists to opening their own 2,500-square-foot tasting room?
“It was our entrepreneurial spirit and mutual trust," Jan says. They knew there was nothing like this in the immediate area and that they could tap into a market for a local craft-brewed beer that people were looking for.
Not only are these guys beer enthusiasts, but they also had a clear vision for the modern industrial-style tasting room that they wanted their customers to experience. Sharing a passion for woodworking, Jan and Brian built out the space themselves and handmade almost the entire tasting room, down to the chairs and tables made from locally sourced white oak. The attention to the smallest detail and pride in their work resonates throughout—be sure to check out the custom lightbulbs shaped like cyclones.
Patrons come for the atmosphere and stay for the amazing beer.
“From learning about the process to having a comfortable tasting room, coming to Jersey Cyclone Brewing is an experience. It’s a day out.”
—Jan
Jan and Brian's dream was to create an environment where people would talk and interact, which is unlike a lot of establishments where everyone is watching TV or staring at their phones. Customers can be found playing Battle Ship or one of several other available board games, and everyone is welcome to a complimentary tour of the brewery. They can bring their own snacks to munch on or even order delivery from several local restaurants. Jan and Brian's goal is to support and grow the local community.
Want to experience Jersey Cyclone Brewing yourself? They have seven styles of beer on tap and one on nitro. The tasting room is open Thursdays and Fridays, 5-10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 12-10 p.m. Growlers of beer are available for purchase to take home. Current bestsellers include Summer Sunset (American Amber) and Snowtober (Imperial Milk Coffee Porter), and the menu is constantly changing.
To stay up to date on the present offerings visit the Jersey Cyclone tasting room or use Untappd.com. Cheers!
908.982.4116
14 Worlds Fair Drive, Unit J
JerseyCyclone.com
