Chuck Silva resigns from Green Flash Brewing Co.

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by Todd, Sep 28, 2015.

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  1. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    AWARD-WINNING BREWMASTER CHUCK SILVA MOVING ON FROM GREEN FLASH BREWING CO. TO ESTABLISH NEW CENTRAL COAST BREWERY

    World-renowned brewer from country’s 48th largest craft brewery resigns to build and operate a brewery all his own

    San Diego, California (September 28, 2015) — After nearly 11 years spent helping to set the pace of Southern California’s craft beer movement at the helm of Green Flash Brewing Co., Brewmaster Chuck Silva has resigned from the San Diego, Ca.-based operation. Effective immediately, he will be funneling his energies into the establishment of his very own craft brewing operation at a yet-to-be-determined location in California’s San Luis Obispo County.

    “Words cannot express my deep level of appreciation for the opportunities that Green Flash Founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley have provided me over the past decade-plus,” says Silva. “Together, we pooled our shared passion and determination to accomplish great things and introduce drinkers across the country to innovative, largely hop-forward beers that I was proud to help craft along with Green Flash’s passionate brewing staff. I will miss them all, but feel now is the time to focus on this next chapter.”

    Adding to Silva’s enthusiasm is the chance to build his brewing company in the region where he grew up. The brewmaster hails from the Central Coast, and many of his longtime friends and family still live there. Silva is particularly excited about brewing up a business working side-by-side with the newest family member, wife Mary Jo.

    When Silva joined Green Flash in 2004, the employee base totaled less than a dozen and the business was struggling to find an identity and market share in San Diego’s rapidly growing brewing industry. Thanks in large part to poignant beers tackling a wide range of styles—from hoppy beers to Belgian-inspired ales to barrel-aged sours and stouts, and more—Green Flash evolved into one of the nation’s premier brewing operations, currently employing more than 200 with nationwide and international distribution, and plans to open a second full-scale brewery in Virginia Beach, Va. in 2016.

    “It’s been so fulfilling to play such a major role in the accomplishment of so many goals at Green Flash. Together, we’ve come further and grown larger than I could have ever foreseen. I couldn’t have done it alone and I thank every member of the craft community that helped me along the way,” says Silva. “But it’s always been my dream and personal long-term goal to brew on my own terms. Now is the time to go for it and I’m looking forward to working on smaller projects.”

    ABOUT CHUCK SILVA: As the former Brewmaster and VP of Brewing Operations at Green Flash Brewing Co., Chuck Silva became well known for his award-winning, flavor-forward beer creations. He began his brewing career in San Diego after attending the American Brewers Guild and subsequent Craft Brewers Apprenticeship. Silva started as the Brewmaster for Green Flash Brewing Company in 2004 with an immediate focus on recipe formulation and development. He led Green Flash Brewing through two expansions in 2007 and 2009. In the fall of 2010, he led the brewery through a 44,000-square-foot build-out and moved brewing operations to a new, much larger San Diego facility, upping production to 45,000 barrels per year by the end of 2011. In 2015, Chuck led the brewery’s expansion in San Diego to a separate space in North San Diego County dedicated to housing all of the brand’s rare and barrel aged beers under the name Cellar 3. He was also integral to the planning of the company’s second brewing facility in Virginia Beach, Va.

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    #1 Todd, Sep 28, 2015
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  2. TheWiltChamberlainofipas

    TheWiltChamberlainofipas Initiate (0) Apr 7, 2015 Oregon

    Huge fan of Green Flash. Had the chance to meet Mr Silva in Seattle nice guy, looking forward to his furture endeavor.
     
    #2 TheWiltChamberlainofipas, Sep 28, 2015
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  3. kpacedo

    kpacedo Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 California

    Was he integral in failing to consistently brew Alpine IPA accurately?
     
    #3 kpacedo, Sep 28, 2015
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  4. TheWiltChamberlainofipas

    TheWiltChamberlainofipas Initiate (0) Apr 7, 2015 Oregon

    Let all the vitriol for green flash fill this thread. I'll crack open a bottle of alpine duet with the nice green flash logo on it and enjoy the read.
     
    #4 TheWiltChamberlainofipas, Sep 28, 2015
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  5. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    I believe Chuck was in Denver representing Green Flash for GABF last week.
     
    #5 Domingo, Sep 28, 2015
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  6. Darklight

    Darklight Initiate (0) Jun 27, 2006 Pennsylvania

    Ouch! :slight_smile:
     
    #6 Darklight, Sep 28, 2015
  7. drtth

    drtth Initiate (0) Nov 25, 2007 Pennsylvania
    In Memoriam

    Sounds to me like he's got most all the background and experience to do this start up and make it successful.
     
    #7 drtth, Sep 28, 2015
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  8. rgordon

    rgordon Pooh-Bah (2,701) Apr 26, 2012 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Green Flash has been a big pioneer in the modern beer evolution. From the first West Coast IPA that I tasted- and drank- I was a fan. I called Mike Hinkley out of the blue in the early 2000s to see if he might sell me some beer for North Carolina. We made a deal and sometimes he had beer and sometimes he didn't. I didn't care. People loved the beers and they always sold through very quickly. I wish them all continued good fortune and will look forward to Mr. Silva's beers.
     
    #8 rgordon, Sep 28, 2015
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  9. LennyOvies

    LennyOvies Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2015 Mexico

    Just recently had my first few Green Flash beers and I just don't understand the hate they receive here. Hopefully this news doesn't affect the company.
     
    #9 LennyOvies, Sep 28, 2015
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  10. Smokingtony

    Smokingtony Initiate (0) Nov 14, 2014 Texas

    Never noticed any hate for them. They make good beer but in my opinion have some of the most uncreative and boring labels in the craft beer industry. I'm sure many of you feel that bottle labels are irrelevant to what is inside, just my opinion.
     
    #10 Smokingtony, Sep 28, 2015
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  11. Craft_Beer_Guy

    Craft_Beer_Guy Initiate (0) Aug 15, 2015 California

    Since it hasn't been asked yet, will Green Flash be the next to be acquired? And boring labels; that is how people judge beer now? Wow.
     
    #11 Craft_Beer_Guy, Sep 28, 2015
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  12. BottleCaps80

    BottleCaps80 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2013 Iowa

    Weren't there rumors and speculations floating around that there would be an announcement of a "big" San Diego brewery being acquired by AB InBev soon? Is Green Flash that "big" San Diego brewery? If so, I wonder if this has anything to do with that?
     
    #12 BottleCaps80, Sep 28, 2015
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  13. Craft_Beer_Guy

    Craft_Beer_Guy Initiate (0) Aug 15, 2015 California

    It adds to the speculation if nothing else.
     
    #13 Craft_Beer_Guy, Sep 28, 2015
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  14. LennyOvies

    LennyOvies Initiate (0) Jul 22, 2015 Mexico

    Really? I've been here for just 2 months and it seems it is popular to hate on Green Flash from what I can tell and have read in Beer Talk.
     
    #14 LennyOvies, Sep 28, 2015
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  15. HeavySpeedway

    HeavySpeedway Initiate (0) Jul 8, 2013 California

    He had very little to do with that, which is part of the reason he probably wants to make a change I suspect.
     
    #15 HeavySpeedway, Sep 28, 2015
  16. Ironstutz

    Ironstutz Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2014 New York

    considering how Alpine Nelson has been botched, they deserve some good critique
     
    #16 Ironstutz, Sep 28, 2015
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  17. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I wish Chuck good luck in his new venture.

    I stopped buying Green Flash packaged beer when they switched from 6-packs to 4-packs and the unit price was increased. I do not think that Chuck was part of that decision making process but I really don’t know.

    I had another draft pint of Alpine beer this past weekend (this was my fourth or fifth pint in the past few months). I will not be buying Alpine beer again. I gave it the old ‘college try’ and these beers are simply disappointing; little to no hop aroma on the hoppy beers (Hoppy Birthday, Duet).

    Hopefully the beers that Chuck will be brewing at his brewery will come in 6-packs and the draft versions not be disappointing.

    Cheers!
     
    #17 JackHorzempa, Sep 28, 2015
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  18. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    I think the Silva Stout debacle may have something to do with it. Not an enjoyable experience for me and many others.
     
    #18 elektrikjester, Sep 28, 2015
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  19. pinkgrenade

    pinkgrenade Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2011 California

    i havent heard anyone mention GF honestly. i have heard people mention BP though.
     
    #19 pinkgrenade, Sep 28, 2015
  20. fritts211

    fritts211 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2011 Tennessee

    I'll fully admit to not caring at all for Green Flash. The most praise I can give any of their beer is that it was underwhelming. And I've tried more than a few Green Flash beers. No, not Alpine or Duet or anything, before anyone asks. Just all of their mass distributed beers.

    Nonetheless, Chuck Silva is a big name in the industry and I respect his accomplishments. Hope his new endeavor is a huge hit, and I'll try anything he ever does with an open mind.
     
    #20 fritts211, Sep 28, 2015
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