Green Flash brewer leaving town

More big changes in the old guard of San Diego brewing. Longtime Green Flash brewmaster Chuck Silva announced his resignation, effective Monday, September 28. In a press release, Silva revealed he's leaving San Diego altogether to launch his own beer company, Silva Brewing, near his home town in San Luis Obispo County.

"Words cannot express my deep level of appreciation for the opportunities that Green Flash Founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley have provided me over the past decade-plus,” Silva adds via the release. “Together, we pooled our shared passion and determination to accomplish great things and introduce drinkers across the country to innovative, largely hop-forward beers that I was proud to help craft along with Green Flash’s passionate brewing staff. I will miss them all, but feel now is the time to focus on this next chapter."

During his 11-year tenure, Silva made beers that varied in style yet retained a signature Green Flash character, producing several award winners, including a World Cup gold for Hop Head Red in 2010 and two gold medal wins for Belgian IPA hybrid Le Freak at Great American Beer Festival — one in 2012 and another this past weekend.

Asked about his new enterprise, Silva says he's still in the planning phases, but fans of his work can expect him to pick up where he's left off.

"It's safe to say that I'll be brewing up some hoppy West Coast–style brews," he reports, "I'll have a focus on making some good clean, fresh ales with high drinkability. Eventually I'll produce some rare limited-release treats with a local flair.”

Green Flash will reportedly promote head brewer Erik Jensen to brewmaster in Silva's place.