Anchor Brewing Company to shutter after 127 years

What they're saying: "This was an extremely difficult decision," spokesperson Sam Singer said in a press release.

• "We recognize the importance and historic significance of Anchor to San Francisco and to the craft brewing industry, but the impacts of the pandemic, inflation, especially in San Francisco, and a highly competitive market left the company with no option."

State of play: The company has faced declining sales since 2016, according to Singer.

How it started: Anchor Brewing originated in the Gold Rush era, when pioneer brewer Gottlieb Brekle came to San Francisco from Germany in the mid-1800s and bought an old billiards saloon in 1871.

• The brewery performed well after officially launching in 1896 but struggled to remain in business when the 1906 earthquake left San Francisco in tatters.
• After Prohibition ended in 1933, American demand for lighter, mass-produced beers almost forced Anchor into bankruptcy until a young Stanford graduate named Fritz Maytag bought 51% of the craft brewery in 1965 and transformed its products and distribution approach.

The brewery soon expanded its beer offerings and began partnering with local venues to serve its beverages.

• As Maytag revived its business, Anchor opened an in-house distillery and later a public taproom.

Of note: Anchor, which is currently owned by the famed Japanese brewery Sapporo, says it made repeated efforts to find buyers for the brewery.

• As it closes, Anchor remains "grateful for its employees ... for their commitment and all that they have done to build and care for this beloved brewery," Singer said.
• While brewing has stopped, Anchor will continue packaging and distributing existing beer through the end of the month.