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Todd Haug resigns from Surly Brewing

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by Disc_n_Beer, Oct 19, 2016.

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  1. Disc_n_Beer

    Disc_n_Beer Crusader (431) Mar 20, 2015 Iowa

    From: http://surlybrewing.com/news/head-brewing-operations-todd-haug-steps-surly-brewing/

    Head of Brewing Operations Todd Haug Steps Down At Surly Brewing

    After more than 10 years setting the pace of the craft beer revolution in Minnesota, Surly Brewing Co., Head of Brewing Operations Todd Haug has resigned his position at the Twin Cities Brewery.

    "I'd like to thank our family, friends and fans - Surly Nation - for always believing in our vision. It never gets old to hear people tell you how much they enjoy your beer. Omar and I set out with the modest goal to build a brewery so we could create a different kind of craft beer – the kind we wanted to drink - and I think we achieved that.”

    Todd earned a reputation for refusing to brew-to-style. He defined the undefinable and brewed beer his way, which was rarely the easy way, earning the brewery gold medals in the process.

    Omar Ansari, Founder and President of Surly Brewing says, “Todd has been an incredibly influential part of Surly since the beginning and was instrumental in building the brewery from the ground-up, often with his own two hands; brewing, welding, making connections and forming collaborations to establish the irreverent brand it is today. His talent is undeniable, and he will always be a huge part of who we are. He will be missed.”

    Todd is stepping down from his role to pursue other opportunities and challenges in the industry that he has worked in for 25 years. The future is bright, and adventure awaits.

    “I leave my brewhouses in the extremely capable hands of our co-lead brewers and the innovative brewing team we’ve mentored together. I eagerly look forward to seeing what the next generation of Surly brewers will create,” says Haug. “This is an opportunity for them to take the torch and continue the legacy we’ve been building for 10 years now.”

    It’s been a hell of a ride with Todd in the front seat, keeping the music loud and the speed fast. He's the wizard, the bitter brewer and the creative genius.

    Surly Nation thanks you.

    ###
     
    #1 Disc_n_Beer, Oct 19, 2016
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  2. jera1350

    jera1350 Pooh-Bah (2,925) Dec 15, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    "Todd is stepping down from his role to pursue other opportunities and challenges in the industry that he has worked in for 25 years."

    Not leaving the industry. Wonder what's next?
     
    #2 jera1350, Oct 19, 2016
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  3. nograz

    nograz Maven (1,390) Oct 30, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    It is a bit shocking, but I can't say that I am surprised. With how much Surly has grown and push the button to brew (I know that is not really totally the case), Todd seems like the kind of person who wants a smaller and hands on operation.

    I hope the other opportunities and challenges are opening his own brewery or at least sticking around in the Twin Cities.
     
    #3 nograz, Oct 19, 2016
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  4. HipHoppin

    HipHoppin Crusader (426) Feb 11, 2015 Minnesota

    My guess is he's still mad about the Furious recipe changing years ago
     
    #4 HipHoppin, Oct 19, 2016
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  5. TboneRN

    TboneRN Initiate (0) Mar 30, 2014 Minnesota

    Hopefully this means big things will be coming out of surly in the future! I think a new face and new ideas will be good for surly!!!
     
    #5 TboneRN, Oct 19, 2016
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  6. MNAle

    MNAle Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2011 Minnesota

    In a related development, Surly announced a change to the name of one of their most highly rated beers. It will now be known as "Todd the Axed Man"... :slight_smile:
     
    #6 MNAle, Oct 19, 2016
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  7. AnalogErik

    AnalogErik Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Minnesota

    I hope Todd starts his own brew op, and calls it Burly. His first big beers will be Curious and Fender.
     
    #7 AnalogErik, Oct 19, 2016
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  8. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,244) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    Staff Super Mod Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    #8 Todd, Oct 19, 2016
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  9. JakeJohnson

    JakeJohnson Pundit (751) Jan 30, 2015 Minnesota
    Trader

    TG might have a new Director of Brewing Operations.
     
    #9 JakeJohnson, Oct 19, 2016
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  10. SudsSavant

    SudsSavant Pundit (972) Jan 9, 2007 Minnesota
    Trader

    Do you work for Sisyphus down the road? Is your real name Issac? :wink:
     
    #10 SudsSavant, Oct 19, 2016
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  11. nograz

    nograz Maven (1,390) Oct 30, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    #11 nograz, Oct 19, 2016
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  12. shawnp

    shawnp Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2010 Minnesota

    My opinion would be, left over issues from Linda? Thoughts?
     
    #12 shawnp, Oct 19, 2016
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  13. THANAT0PSIS

    THANAT0PSIS Pooh-Bah (2,201) Aug 3, 2010 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Any more information on these two things?

    I'm sad to see him go. Todd was the face of the brand for me. I don't love every Surly beer, but they're very special to me in that I met my fiancée at Darkness Day and spent a whole lot of time seeking out and drinking their beer even before it was locally available. I won't speculate on why he left, but I will be watching closely to see what he does next.
     
    #13 THANAT0PSIS, Oct 19, 2016
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  14. AnalogErik

    AnalogErik Initiate (0) Jul 23, 2013 Minnesota

    P.S. With all due respect to Todd (Axe man is one of my all-time great beers, and BA Darkness last year was probably one of the best BA Stouts ive ever had in my life) - everyone who is suggesting T.G. as a landing place are kinda off base. T.G. has produced AMAZING beer with the people they currently still have. It wouldn't make sense to put an Alpha dog into a shop that already has an established brewing program.
     
    #14 AnalogErik, Oct 19, 2016
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  15. kgraham91

    kgraham91 Initiate (0) May 27, 2016 Minnesota

    *Moves to Decorah*

    But seriously I'm curious to see where the direction of Surly goes.
     
    #15 kgraham91, Oct 19, 2016
  16. NickTheGreat

    NickTheGreat Maven (1,336) Oct 28, 2010 Iowa
    Society Trader

    Sad deal. Hopefully this doesn't spell bad things for Surly. Oddly enough, Surly is one of the easier to get, good breweries I can get in Des Moines.
     
    #16 NickTheGreat, Oct 19, 2016
  17. dave43

    dave43 Initiate (0) Jan 29, 2007 Minnesota

    Todd is salt of the earth. I knew the writing was on the wall when Linda left. He made Surly what it is and will no doubt rock it wherever he ends up. I look forward to following his trail.
     
    #17 dave43, Oct 19, 2016
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  18. Windvaner

    Windvaner Devotee (373) Nov 7, 2014 Minnesota

    This is sad news whatever way you look at. When you think craft beer in Minnesota and innovation you have to give credit where its due. Todd is at the pinnacle of brewing here and Surly will have a damn hard time finding someone who can fill his shoes.

    Some things jump to mind immediately :

    1 . This really was the last Darkness day .
    2. Most definitely Todd has been hired by another brewery or will be announced as the head brewer of a new start up venture very soon .
    3 .We may be hearing that Surly will be acquired by the big guys soon . Don't think it can't happen....
    4. Surly have lost a lot of good people in the last few months , their Festival & Tour Coordinator left and went to Indeed Brewing this summer too .

    Toppling Goliath, Stone Brewing, and now Surly . There are a lot of head brewers moving on .The Times They Are A-Changin .
     
    #18 Windvaner, Oct 19, 2016
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  19. MattyG85

    MattyG85 Initiate (0) Aug 31, 2010 Minnesota

    Pretty sad but not surprising considering whats been going on this year. His wife gets canned and other brewers have been starting to slowly take over making new beers. Omar and Todd were the pair that made the Twin Cities a craft hotspot. Too bad egos/greed/whatever the issues were got in the way of a great thing. Like someone else mentioned I wouldn't be surprised if Surly becomes one of the next big craft breweries to sell out in the next few years. Ownership seems to be overly focused on growth.


    Hopefully Todd starts up his own brewpub rather than jumping into an already established company. He's such a big name around here that it is pretty sure it would be a big success.
     
    #19 MattyG85, Oct 20, 2016
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  20. Urk1127

    Urk1127 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,678) Jul 2, 2014 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I was going to ask if ges the guy who is "surly" and they named it after his personality but i think i got my answer. Good luck to him.
     
    #20 Urk1127, Oct 20, 2016
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