Green Flash to brew for Alpine Beer Co.

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by Todd, Jul 18, 2013.

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  1. Todd

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

    NO CONTRACTS… JUST CAMARADERIE. GREEN FLASH TO BREW BEER FOR ALPINE

    NEW EQUIPMENT PUT TO GOOD USE VIA HELPING ONE OF SAN DIEGO’S CRAFT BEER PIONEERS

    San Diego, CA - July 18, 2013 This month, Green Flash Brewing Co. is installing 6 new 250 barrel fermenters, bringing the San Diego brewery to 100% production capacity, about 100,000 annual barrels. Additional production increases will come from a second brewery in Virginia Beach, Virginia, currently in planning. Green Flash has steadily increased production capacity ahead of demand since completing the initial build out of its state of the art San Diego facility in 2011. After re-watching Suds County USA, a 2012 documentary chronicling the timeline of San Diego’s craft beer explosion, Green Flash Co-Founder and CEO, Mike Hinkley was again struck by the “all-hands-on-deck” spirit of craft beer’s earliest pioneers. Mike had recently heard that Pat McIlhenney of Alpine Beer Co. was looking for a contract brewer, so that he could make enough beer to raise capital to expand operations. Mike immediately called Pat and offered to brew kegged beer for Alpine at Green Flash.

    Mike presented the terms of the “non-contract” to Pat: Green Flash will not make a profit on the beer, only recover its costs, and only brew the beer when it does not interfere with meeting orders for Green Flash. The timing of the arrival of the new tanks, fit Alpine’s timing perfectly and the price could not be beat. So the only thing left was the hand shake.

    “We are not contract brewing, we’re just helping Pat accomplish his goals of building a new brewery.” emphasizes Co-Founder and CEO, Mike Hinkley. “We have no interest in contract brewing and I cannot think of another scenario that would prompt me to make that call. San Diego’s craft beer scene was built on a foundation of community, with brewers helping each other to succeed. We benefited greatly from help and advice of other breweries, including Alpine, while getting started. I am very proud to be able to help Pat and Alpine.”

    Green Flash is brewing only kegged beer for Alpine. Alpine is finalizing plans to work with Cold Springs in Minnesota to produce canned beer. These combined efforts will allow Alpine to produce about 5,000 barrels annually – an increase of about 200%

    “I have known Pat for over 15 years as a brewer in San Diego and we work well together,” explains Chuck Silva, Brewmaster at Green Flash. “Because we brew similar styles, I know this arrangement is a great fit which will make it easy for our teams to work together. While Green Flash will not benefit financially from the arrangement, I think our production team will reap the rewards from this as a learning opportunity.”

    Green Flash will brew three of Alpine’s most popular offerings: Hoppy Birthday, Nelson and Duet to spec, hops and other ingredients provided by Alpine. Green Flash will be ready to brew as soon as the latest cellar expansion is complete. They will brew Alpine beers for approximately one year, brewing a rotation of 250 barrel batches of these three Alpine beers. Chuck and Pat will work closely with the brewing team at Green Flash to ensure these beers are brewed to spec, and White Labs will ensure each release is consistent to Alpine’s formulations with lab testing prior to distribution.

    “Having Mike Hinkley call with his most generous offer to help is overwhelming and came as a beautiful surprise," says Pat McIlhenney from Alpine Beer Co. "The quality and craftsmanship Chuck and crew bring to their beers gives me the greatest confidence we will be able to seamlessly introduce a greater supply of our highly sought after beers. I am humbled by Mike’s generosity.”
    Beer will be packaged in Alpine’s kegs and Alpine will be managing their own distribution. Finalizing compliance and other necessary legalities is currently in process, and there is no timetable in place –starting in September at the earliest. However, the Brewers met yesterday evening over a beer to finalize next steps, sealing their agreement with a handshake and another round. Just like old times.

    About Alpine Beer Company
    Alpine Beer Company was founded in 1999 by contracting with AleSmith Brewing Company for their award winning McIlhenney’s Irish Red. Located in the eastern part of San Diego County, this family owned and operated brewery opened in 2002 in their little home town of Alpine. Since that time we have offered over thirty different brews, some barrel aged beers, multiple IPA’s and unique lagers to name a few. A tiny pub was opened in 2010 and offers a delicious barbeque themed menu. http://www.alpinebeerco.com

    About Green Flash Brewing Co.
    Green Flash Brewing Co., is located in San Diego, California, and was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley. Brewmaster, Chuck Silva, leads brewing operations. Green Flash is an award-winning brewer of fine, hand-crafted ales, and specializes in brewing assertive and distinctive beers, such as the nationally acclaimed West Coast I.P.A.: an award-winning beer whose wide acceptance has helped define a category. Green Flash brews a wide variety of beer styles that are available on draft and in bottles as well as a growing lineup of seasonal and special offerings, including several barrel-aged beers, throughout the year. Please visit the Green Flash website http://www.greenflashbrew.com for more information.

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    VonZipper, ChugLife and 2beerdogs like this.
  2. trentbrown89

    trentbrown89 Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2013 California

    Wow! Exciting!
     
  3. williamjbauer

    williamjbauer Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2012 Colorado

    Great partnership to help out an amazing brewery.
     
  4. beerinNV

    beerinNV Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2012 Nevada

    Like, maybe I'll actually be able to get some Alpine now
     
  5. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    A fine gesture by Green Flash. There goes all of my prior dislike for them being the first to change from 6 pks. to 4 pks.
     
    notchucknorris likes this.
  6. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thank god, at least we don't have to worry about Cold Springs mucking up their ber and shipping it halfway across the country.
     
  7. Cubatobaco

    Cubatobaco Pooh-Bah (2,057) Jan 27, 2013 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is awesome!

    I also love the fact that Green Flash is being built here in VA. I can't wait until 2015!
     
    CUE45 likes this.
  8. CUE45

    CUE45 Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2008 Virginia

    Indeed. I am also anxiously awaiting news of Alpine being available in VA. Fingers crossed!
     
    legend8706 and Cubatobaco like this.
  9. emannths

    emannths Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2007 Massachusetts

    The Kubaya is adorable, but this is still contract brewing.
     
    jesskidden likes this.
  10. Stugotzo

    Stugotzo Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2012 Florida

    Well, there's no contract... maybe it's called "Agreement Brewing" :grinning:
     
    Cvescalante likes this.
  11. Feel_the_Darkness

    Feel_the_Darkness Initiate (0) Oct 17, 2012 Virginia

    Hmmm, maybe I'll have to give Green Flash a fair chance now. This is a fantastic gesture from brewer to brewer.
     
  12. JackHorzempa

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

    Has Alpine made any announcements at all about expanding distribution to states other than California? If so, which states and when?

    Cheers!
     
    regularjohn likes this.
  13. FutureJack

    FutureJack Initiate (0) Oct 30, 2007 California

    This is not typical contract brewing, when the Alpine crew is still going to brew it with their own ingredients. They are not just giving a recipe to GF to brew.
     
    VonZipper likes this.
  14. emannths

    emannths Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2007 Massachusetts

    GF is doing the brewing, and doing it on GF equipment. That's contract brewing. Not that there's anything wrong with that!
     
    westcoastbeerlvr likes this.
  15. UCLABrewN84

    UCLABrewN84 Initiate (0) Mar 18, 2010 California

    The catch is that Green Flash needs to move to Alpine in order to brew their beer.
     
    DrAwkward82 likes this.
  16. MaltMilkshake

    MaltMilkshake Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2011 California

    That is still going to happen.
     
    domtronzero likes this.
  17. MaltMilkshake

    MaltMilkshake Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2011 California

    I believe a small portion of what comes out of Cold Springs will stay East/Midwest. Most will be coming back to Cali.
     
  18. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    :slight_frown:
     
  19. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    :slight_frown::slight_frown:
     
  20. LegalBrew87

    LegalBrew87 Initiate (0) Mar 6, 2012 California


    I believe the key word here is "typical."
     
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