Today is also the birthday of Chuck Silva, former brewmaster at Green Flash Brewing in San Diego. His West Coast IPA took the world by storm, and personally, I loved his Tripel and Le Freak. The big, shiny new brewery they built was also pretty amazing, but sadly the honeymoon didn’t last too long. Eventually Chuck wanted to create something of his own, and so he opened Silva Brewing Company in the Central Coast of California, around his native San Luis Obispo area in Paso Robles. Unfortunately, after eight years, Chuck closed down the brewery last December, and I haven’t heard yet what he’s doing now. Join me in wishing Chuck a very happy birthday.
Chuck at GABF several years ago.
The beer chef, Bruce Paton, with Chuck at one his beer dinners.
Chuck at Mammoth Lakes Bluesapalooza in 2007.
Chuck serving the symposium beer at Stone Brewing during Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego in 2008.
The Green Flash West Coast IPA is my favorite IPA!!!!
Happy Birthday, Chuck!!
… and Rayon Vert is something very special, too!
If you’re in San Diego, Green Flash is a “must go to”! It’s on Mira Mesa Blvd, closer to I-(80)5 than I-15 – ample parking behind it. Tastes are very reasonably priced, & you can select your size (4/8/16-oz for 7% ABV; 4/8 for the bigger stuff; prices are $1/2/4 for the lighter brews; $2/4 for the bigger beers). Plus, bottled beer to go is as cheap/cheaper than what you’d pay in a retail store. Went there last summer; will be returning when I’m down that way in July (I live in SF Bay area).
May Chuck have many more hoppy birthdays!