Future of Kate the Great Beer Uncertain

The Portsmouth Brewery announced Friday afternoon that head brewer Tod Mott will be resigning effective July 19, and former assistant brewer Tyler Jones will take over as head brewer.

Jones had served as Mott's assistant brewer for four years before moving across town for a brewing position at Smuttnose in December of 2011.

Word of Mott's pending departure first started to get out , when Mott told the craft beer website Beer Advocate that he was leaving to start his own brewery in southern Maine. Beer Advocate also said Mott retains the rights to , the famed Russian imperial stout that's raised the Portsmouth Brewery's profile among craft beer lovers around the world.

On Thursday, the brewery had no comment on Mott's potential departure, but spokesman JT Thompson issued a press release Friday afternoon announcing the move.

"With a mixture of gratitude and sadness, The Portsmouth Brewery announces the resignation of Head Brewer and New England brewing legend, Tod Mott, effective July 19," the press release reads. "At the same time we are excited to announce the return of Tyler Jones to The Portsmouth Brewery as its new Head Brewer."

The press release also attempts to clear up the issue of what will happen to Kate the Great, arguably the most famous beer the Portsmouth Brewery has ever brewed.

"Many folks are curious about the future of this cult beer, so we'd like to be clear," the release reads. "Tod came into Portsmouth Brewery with the imperial stout recipe and he'll also leave with it; Portsmouth Brewery retains the rights to the intellectual property known as 'Kate the Great,' including the name and branding. Tod has plans to brew this beloved beer again, it'll just have a different name. At the time of writing this release, future plans for 'Kate the Great' have yet to be decided by Portsmouth Brewery."

The brewery said a torch passing ceremony and a toast will be held on Mott's last day, July 19. Details will be announced on the Portsmouth Brewery's Facebook page.

[To read the full Portsmouth Brewery press release, look for the PDF to the right under photos.]