Left to right, it's Chuck Silva (Green Flash Brewmaster), Pat McIlhenney (President, Brewmaster - Alpine Beer Company), and Mike Hinkley (Green Flash Co-Founder and CEO) toasting off their venture.
Green
Flash and Alpine Beer Company join forces for the good of the craft brew world.
Yes!
Hey y’all!
As many of you
know, I am a big fan of San Diego, California-based breweries and when I heard that two great ones in the region—Green Flash and Alpine Beer Company—formed an
alliance, I had to show love. Usually when we dedicated craft beer lovers hear
about breweries being "acquired," there is a deep breath and the assumption that, shall we say, a macro brewery
bought them out. This is a bit refreshing, yes?
Please see the official press
release below. They all look like happy campers to me. Brewers unite!
Cheers!
Ale
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San Diego-Based
Craft Breweries Celebrate Strength in Unity
Green Flash
Brewing Co. acquires Alpine Beer Co.
Sharing Resources and Wisdom, A San Diego
Craft Beer Alliance Is Formed
At Alpine Beer Company this morning, Green
Flash founders, Mike and Lisa Hinkley and Alpine
Beer Company founders, Pat and Val McIlhenney announced
that their breweries will join forces, teaming up to share resources, knowledge
and experience. Both the McIlhenneys and the Hinkleys view the
affiliation as mutually beneficial, and are committed to supporting each other
for the success of both breweries. Each company will remain independently
operated and maintain its distinct brand and culture. Pat will remain Alpine’s
President and Brewmaster to oversee all operations of Alpine Beer Company while
also ensuring Alpine beers continue to meet his unwavering standard of quality,
whether brewed at the Alpine or Green Flash facilities. The most notable
change will transpire over the next several years, as Alpine beer will become
available to their legions of fans from across the country who have only
experienced the greatness of Alpine beers while visiting California.
In a “handshake agreement,” Green Flash began brewing
Alpine beer in November 2013 at their San Diego facility with the goal of
helping longtime friends at Alpine raise capital to expand their production
capacity. Green Flash has been producing three of Alpine’s brews (Nelson,
Hoppy Birthday and Duet), increasing Alpine annual production from 1500 to 3000
BBLs.
The experience of brewing together has been a successful
learning experience for both breweries. Green Flash Brewmaster, Chuck
Silva divulged, “It was both intriguing and challenging to meld our
philosophies while we worked together to scale up Pat’s recipes to be brewed in
larger quantities. We worked together to stay true to the original beer
and were very happy with the ultimate results. Working with a close friend is a
real treat, but for me, brewing with Pat and making Alpine beers, is yet
another highlight of my brewing career in San Diego.”
The successful arrangement they have shared over the past
year was the impetus that prompted the breweries to take their relationship to
the next level. Each views the partnership as an organic evolution that will
benefit both of their operations in many ways. “Our team was thrilled to be
able to brew the awesome beer from Alpine when we began teaming up,” says Mike
Hinkley of Green Flash. “The excitement of our brewers is what prompted
me to think about additional ways we could work together and help each
other. We perceive this solid new partnership as an incredible
opportunity to continue to explore our craft while benefiting from the passion
and experience of Pat McIlhenney.”
“After working with Green Flash for the past year, I have
come to truly trust and deeply respect the entire Green Flash operation – Chuck
and all of their brewers are meticulous, yet easygoing, and I am comfortable
working with the team,” says Pat McIlhenney of Alpine Beer Co. “There are many
benefits in teaming up with Green Flash as a partner. Not only are they
committed to producing high-quality beer, the company culture and mom and pop
roots of Green Flash are very similar to our own.”
Alpine employees 20 people, is distributed exclusively in
California with the ability to produce a maximum of 1500 BBLs from their San
Diego County brew-house, with most of their beer sold directly from their
on-site pub. Brewing capacity limitations have made it impossible for Pat
and his team to support the overwhelming demand for their exceptional
products. As partners, Alpine will be able to tap into the growing Green
Flash team of talented brewers, their production capacity, access to capital,
and human resources in operations and administration. Mike added that “I
am hopeful that the culmination of the next few years will be that, together,
we build a new production facility in Alpine. Maybe we will even brew
some Green Flash ale in Alpine.”
“I know there is strength in unity, which will
allow both of our breweries to secure even higher quality ingredients – we will
be a great force as a team,” exclaims Pat. “However, the most important
advantage is how this partnership will help improve the quality of life for my
employees. For the first time, Alpine will be able to offer our team an
excellent company benefits package including affordable health care, 401K plans
and other perks made possible by this exciting partnership.”
In 2015, Green Flash will begin bottling select Alpine
brews in 22oz bottles adding to the three current draft offerings.
Collaborative brews are already in Chuck and Pat’s top-secret conversations, so
consumers can expect these to appear in their tasting rooms and at the best
craft beer bars in Southern California. The two Brewmasters are already
talking about how they can work together at Green Flash’s Cellar 3, a special
barrel-aged beer packaging facility that is currently under construction in
Poway, and will include a cork-finish bottling line.
Chuck said, “I consulted Pat and borrowed some of his
ideas when I made our tenth anniversary Flanders-style ale, which was a great
success and will be recreated at Cellar 3. I am always on the look-out
for ideas. With Pat and me on the same team, you can count on us to push the
envelope even further.”
Mike summarizes, “This partnership is win-win-win.
Green Flash wins because we are teaming up with a truly iconic brewery.
Alpine wins because they get to see their beers enjoyed by so many more of
their adoring fans. But most of all, beer geeks everywhere win, because
Chuck and Pat will be working together to create beers that will blow their
minds.”
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. 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 websitewww.greenflashbrew.com for more information.
