Green Flash Shares Production Space With Alpine Beer Company W/ Commentary
This news broke last week, and we had to comment on this as fans of both Green Flash and Alpine Beer. Read through the press release, our reaction follows. Cheers!
(San Diego, CA) – 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 benefitted 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. 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,” says Pat of Alpine. “I am humbled by Mike’s generosity and look forward to the day we are able to repay them.”
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.
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 www.greenflashbrew.com for more information.
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I was not thrilled with the idea of Alpine contract brewing at Cold Springs Brewing in Cold Springs Minnesota. While it would have been great for MN locals, between the travel and Cold Spring’s reputation, many Alpine fans were rightfully worried. While the Cold Springs plan might still move forward, my greedy hop loving mouth is glad I will most likely only drink San Diego County made Alpine.
