Chuck Silva Resigns from Green Flash

Legendary Green Flash brewmaster Chuck Silva announced his resignation yesterday after 11 years at the pioneering San Deigo brewery.

Silva, and his wife MJ, plan to return to his hometown of San Luis Obispo and start their own craft brewery.

Former Green Flash head brewer Erik Jensen has been promoted to brewmaster after Silva's resignation.

Silva was instrumental in creating many of Green Flash's groundbreaking beers, such as the brewery's flagship West Coast IPA and its Belgian IPA Le Freak, which just picked up its second GABF medal this past weekend.

Here is a release from Green Flash:

San Diego, CA -- September 28, 2015 -- Today, Green Flash Brewing Co. CEO and Founder, Mike Hinkley confirms the news that Brewmaster, Chuck Silva has resigned after 11 years to pursue his own small-brewing venture. Green Flash has promoted Erik Jensen to Brewmaster. Jensen has been leading the day to day operations at the brewery as Head Brewer for over 4 years.
 
Chuck and wife, MJ will be returning to Chuck’s hometown of San Luis Opisbo to set up shop. In a statement made to press today, Silva states that “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.”

“Green Flash will be forever grateful for all of Chuck's contributions to the organization,” says Mike Hinkley, Green Flash CEO and Co-Founder. “Over the past 11 years, he has created the recipes for wonderful beers that have captivated our fans and helped make Green Flash the company it is today. Chuck has both mentored and inspired our brewers and leaves us with a team created in his image - talented, creative and hard working. Under the guidance of Brewmaster Erik Jensen, this team will continue to produce award-winning and innovative Green Flash beer.”

Chuck joined Green Flash as Brewmaster in 2004, and has worked to build a team of over 30 talented brewers who work on day to day brewing operations. He has been credited with developing award-winning recipes such as West Coast IPA and Le Freak - which recently picked up a 2nd Gold Medal for Belgo-American Hybrid Ale at this past weekend’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver.
 
After working in the trenches to build a brewing dream team that includes Head Brewer (now Brewmaster), Erik Jensen and Barrelmaster Pat Korn, Chuck has been spending increasingly more time traveling as the face of Green Flash and less time behind the scenes at the brewery.

“I am proud that Chuck has been able to have the last couple years to slow down a little, think about his future, and make this bold decision,” offers Hinkley. “I am also proud that the financial rewards he has earned at Green Flash will contribute to his and MJ's future and their happiness.  It is all very much deserved.” 

“On a personal note, my family and I owe so much to Chuck,” continues Hinkley. “Green Flash has evolved from a dream into our life's work. We wish Chuck nothing but the best as he enters the next chapter of his career.”

Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Green Flash is currently building a 2nd brewery on the East Coast in Virginia Beach, VA which is slated to open in 2016. Green Flash has grown to become the 48th largest brewery (by production) in the United States, and expects to be operating at 100K BBL capacity from their San Diego facility by the end of 2015.