SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) – After 127 years in business, San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company is closing.
According to a press release, the brewery has been faced with difficult economic conditions and declining sales since 2016.
“This was an extremely difficult decision that Anchor made only after many months of careful consideration,” said Sam Singer, spokesman for Anchor Brewing. “We recognize the importance and historical importance of Anchor to San Francisco and the craft brewing industry, but the impact of the pandemic, inflation, particularly in San Francisco, and a highly competitive marketplace left the company with no choice but to making this sad.’ decision to cease operations.’
Often referred to as America’s first craft brewery, with roots stretching back to the California Gold Rush, the brewery officially launches its business.
“Right now we’re in tough economic times,” Singer told ABC7 News. “And Anchor’s death is symbolic of that.”
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Resident Elise Mackanych said: “It is sad that such a facility has to go out of business.”
The announcement was made after 1 a.m. Wednesday. At this point the brewing process was stopped. However, the team will continue to pack and distribute stock beer for as long as it is available or until the end of July.
This is certainly sad news for fans who have long loved Anchor’s fleet of beers, including the flagship Anchor Steam that started it all, and then some.
“Anchor sales were concentrated in bars and taprooms. When the pandemic came, they ended completely,” Singer shared. “The company had switched to selling in grocery stores and markets and was too late to do so on a large scale.”
Singer put it simply: Anchor was out of money and time.
He said there was hope that another buyer could hold the brewery in San Francisco, but that hasn’t happened yet.
The company’s 61 employees were given 60 days’ notice on Wednesday and will receive transitional support and separation packages.
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“Crafts and trades require a lot of skill and care, and that’s really important,” said Vicky Carrillo, a San Francisco resident. “And different types of work are really important. And I think we need to be more aware of how each individual gives to our society, whether it’s beer or technology or whatever.”
This latest development comes a month after Anchor announced it was ceasing national distribution and discontinuing its Christmas beer, which has been in production since 1975.
A difficult decision after what Singer has said is many months of careful consideration.
“It’s a very sad day. I would say Anchor is a San Francisco institution. It’s a shame it’s closing,” said Caroline Keddy of San Francisco.
Frances Baxter drove from Pacifica hoping to buy her brother something special from Anchor Brewing Company.
“…my brother Paul Baxter – he’s always been a huge fan of Anchor and just got back to Pennsylvania,” Baxter said. “I was hoping to stop by and maybe get him a bottle of Christmas beer.”
“I wanted a little bit of ‘Old Fog Horn,’ as it was called,” said Robert Whitton of San Francisco.
Anchor Brewing means a lot to many people.
“It means San Francisco’s history. I suspect it was the first craft beer that sparked the emergence of other microbreweries,” Baxter said.
“When I first moved to San Francisco, it was one of those things where they make anchor steam in San Francisco, so I had to try it because I came for the east coast. I’d never heard of it before and then it became my favorite,” said Keddy.
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At the Connecticut Yankee Bar on Potrero Hill, we met David Nelson drinking an Anchor Liberty Ale.
Nelson is heartbroken to witness the Anchor Brewery disappear.
“I just hate to see another company buy something as iconic as Anchor Steam and then shut it down,” Nelson said.
“It was great that Fitz Maytag saved it in 1966. I just wish someone would save it now. Maybe someone from Salesforce, someone from the Golden State Warriors could buy Anchor Steam and bring it back, you know,” Baxter said.
Anchor’s public pumps will remain temporarily open. They will sell remaining stock, including a small batch of 2023 Anchor Christmas Ale, which was brewed prior to the company’s recent decision to cancel its national release.
Founded in San Francisco in 1896, Anchor was the country’s first craft brewery.
As an alternative to bankruptcy, the company’s assets are put up for sale. Anchor has had no luck finding buyers for the brewery, but indicated in the press release that someone else may still come forward in the liquidation process.
“Anchor is grateful for our employees who exude so much passion for the Anchor brand,” said Singer. “Anchor thanks them for their dedication and all they have done to build and nurture this beloved brewery.”
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