Green Flash Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Mike Hinkley, Lisa Hinkley |
| Fate | Ownership changed after foreclosure in 2018; purchased by Tilray in 2022 |
| Headquarters | San Diego (Mira Mesa) , United States |
Area served | United States, international (Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, Europe) |
Key people | Mike Hinkley (founder), Lisa Hinkley (founder), Chuck Silva (former brewmaster), Erik Jensen (brewmaster) |
| Products | Craft beer, including IPAs such as West Coast IPA, Palate Wrecker Hamilton’s Ale, Le Freak, Passion Fruit Kicker, Cosmic Ristretto Baltic Porter, Tangerine Soul Style IPA |
| Owner | Tilray (since 2022) |
| Parent | Tilray |
| Website | greenflashbrew |
Green Flash Brewing Company is a craft brewery based in the Mira Mesa area of San Diego, California. Established in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley, the company experienced a change in ownership in April 2018 after its main lender, Comerica Bank, foreclosed and sold the business to WC IPA LLC investors.[1]
Starting in 2013, Green Flash embarked on an ambitious growth strategy aimed at distributing its products across all 50 states and expanding internationally. The brewery acquired Alpine Beer Company in 2014 and launched a new production facility on the East Coast in Virginia Beach by 2016. This expansion was largely supported by borrowed capital; however, rising competition from regional craft brewers impacted financial stability. Despite implementing cost-cutting measures, foreclosure eventually resulted in a transition of ownership.[1]
In January 2022, the company was purchased by Tilray.<ref>
History
Green Flash was created in 2002 by founders Mike and Lisa Hinkley.<ref> In 2004, Chuck Silva joined as brewmaster and was instrumental in crafting notable beers such as West Coast IPA (2005) and Le Freak (2006). Silva left the company in 2015 to establish Silva Brewing, with Erik Jensen succeeding him as brewmaster.<ref>
The brewery moved from Vista to a larger 44,000-square-foot facility located in San Diego’s Mira Mesa neighborhood in June 2011.<ref> By March 2013, Green Flash announced plans for a second brewery in Virginia Beach featuring a capacity of 100,000 barrels—making it the third-largest brewery in Virginia—funded through a $20 million loan.<ref>
In July 2014, Green Flash collaborated with Belgium’s St. Feuillien Brewery to produce and distribute West Coast IPA throughout Europe, marking them as the first American craft brewery to achieve this milestone.<ref>
The acquisition of Alpine Beer Company in November 2014 broadened Green Flash’s product lineup and extended its national distribution. Alpine’s founders continued to manage their brands while benefiting from enhanced production capabilities and expanded reach beyond California.<ref>
By the end of 2014, Green Flash’s beers were available internationally across markets including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, and Europe.<ref> The following year saw the opening of Cellar 3 in Poway, California—a facility dedicated to barrel-aged and bottle-conditioned beers.<ref>
As of March 2016, Green Flash ranked as the 37th largest brewery in the United States by sales volume. The Virginia Beach location commenced operations in November 2016, effectively doubling the company’s national production volume and improving access to East Coast markets by utilizing identical brewing equipment and recipes as its San Diego site.<ref>
Amid increasing competition within the craft beer sector, Green Flash scaled back distribution from 32 states and reduced its workforce by 15% in January 2018. The company pursued financial restructuring options but ultimately closed Cellar 3 and placed the Virginia Beach brewery on the market by March 2018 while further narrowing its distribution footprint.<ref> Following foreclosure on its $20 million loan by Comerica Bank, ownership transferred to private investors who intended to implement new management strategies.<ref>
In June 2018, Green Flash launched a brewpub near the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln; however, this location ceased operations by late 2019.<ref>
Products
Green Flash has established its reputation by focusing on boldly flavored, inventive IPAs, including offerings like West Coast IPA, Palate Wrecker Hamilton’s Ale, and Le Freak. In January 2016, the brewery broadened its national product range with new introductions such as Passion Fruit Kicker, an American wheat ale infused with passion fruit, Cosmic Ristretto Baltic Porter featuring espresso notes, and Tangerine Soul Style IPA. By May 2016, the company had rolled out three canned selections across the country: Jibe Session IPA, Passion Fruit Kicker, and Sea to Sea Zwickel Lager. The brand’s portfolio has garnered numerous accolades, including a gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup and honors at both the 2011 and 2015 Great American Beer Festival, highlighting its strong position within the craft beer sector.
Treasure Chest program
The Treasure Chest program was initiated in 2011 by Lisa Hinkely, a breast cancer survivor, as an annual charitable effort featuring exclusive beer releases to benefit breast cancer organizations. This initiative includes the Treasure Chest Fest held at Green Flash’s Mira Mesa location and had contributed over $220,000 by 2015 to support local breast cancer causes. Beginning in 2014, Treasure Chest Fests have also taken place in Virginia Beach to align with the establishment and grand opening of Green Flash’s new brewery there, reflecting a strategic approach to community involvement that complements the company’s expansion.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Beer brewing companies based in San Diego County, California
- Food and drink companies established in 2002
- American companies established in 2002
- 2002 establishments in California
- Manufacturing companies based in San Diego
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment
- Pages with reference errors