Closing call for the oldest American brewery, Anchor Brewing, which is closing its doors after 127 years.
The San Francisco-based company announced on Wednesday that it was ceasing operations due to difficult economic factors and declining sales since 2026, according to a statement from the craft brewery picked up by CNN.
Craft brewers are facing a situation that is undermining their business model amid rising production costs and supply chain disruptions.
“The impact of the pandemic, inflation, particularly in San Francisco, and a highly competitive marketplace left the company with no choice but to make this sad decision to cease operations,” said company spokesman Sam Singer.
Anchor Brewing was acquired by Japanese company Sapporo in 2017 after around 60 job buddies were eliminated. It has been extremely difficult for Anchor Brewing to reposition itself in the craft brewing scene, which it has nevertheless dominated for decades.
Founded in 1896 by a German immigrant, Anchor Brewing survived closure during Prohibition before taking off in 1965, thanks to a majority stake in businessman Fritz Maytag, and launching its famous lager, Stream Beer.