Beloved San Francisco institution and the nation’s first-ever craft brewery Anchor Brewing is officially shutting down and declaring bankruptcy after 127 years in operation.
While this comes as a saddening surprise to many longtime fans, the brewery may have foreshadowed the shutdown last month when it announced a plan to halt all distributions outside of California and discontinue its famed Christmas Ale last month. According to The Chronicle, Anchor has been “losing millions of dollars a year,” both before and after it was acquired by Sapporo.
"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 but to make this sad decision to cease operations," Anchor's spokesperson Sam Singer stated in a release.
Anchor Brewery in 1906, Courtesy of Anchor Brewing
There's a chance Anchor could be taken over and saved by a buyer, but until then, they're closing their doors and filing for bankruptcy. "It is possible that a buyer will step forward for the brewery as part of the liquidation process," the release states. "It is the hope of the Anchor team that such an outcome comes to fruition."
Courtesy of Anchor Brewing
The Potrero Hill brewery has already ceased operations and let go of its 61 employees as of Wednesday morning, but its neighboring taproom Anchor Public Taps will remain open and pouring your favorite brews through August 1.
Written by Alida Newson
