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  * brewery

SF's Anchor Brewing Company, country's 1st craft brewery, shutting
down after 127 years

Amanda del Castillo Image
ByAmanda del Castillo KGO logo
Wednesday, July 12, 2023 10:52PM
SF's historic Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years
EMBED <>More Videos
[<iframe width="476" ]

With roots dating back to the California Gold Rush, what's often
referred to as America's first craft brewery is officially
liquidating business.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- After 127 years in business, San Francisco's
Anchor Brewing Company is shutting down.

According to a press release, the brewery has been facing challenging
economic factors and declining sales since 2016.

"This was an extremely difficult decision that Anchor reached only
after many months of careful evaluation," Anchor Brewing spokesperson
Sam Singer said. "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."

With roots dating back to the California Gold Rush, what's often
referred to as America's first craft brewery is officially
liquidating business.

"Right now, these are some tough economic times," Singer told ABC7
News. "And Anchor's demise is symbolic of that."

RELATED: Anchor Brewing Company's traditional past inspires an
innovative future

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Resident Elise Mackanych said, "It's sad to see such an institution
go out of business."

The announcement was made after 1 a.m. on Wednesday. At this point,
brewing has stopped. However, the crew will continue packaging and
distributing the beer on hand while available or through the end of
July.

This is certainly sad news for fans who have long loved Anchor's
fleet of beer, including the flagship Anchor Steam, that started it
all, and so much more.

"Anchor sales were centered in bars, taprooms. When the pandemic came
along, those ended completely," Singer shared. "The company had
switched to selling in grocery stores and markets and was late to the
game to do that at a large level."

Singer said simply put, Anchor was out of cash and out of time.

He said there's hope another buyer might be able to keep the brewery
anchored in San Francisco, but that hasn't happened yet.

The company's 61 employees were given a 60-day notice on Wednesday,
and will be given transition support and separation packages.

MORE: 'A real shame': Marin Brewing Company closing after 3 decades,
pioneered craft beer movement

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"There's a lot of skill and care that goes into craft work and
particular trades, and that's really important," SF resident Vicky
Carrillo said. "And different types of labor are really important.
And I think we need to be more conscious of how each individual is
giving something to our society, whether it's beer or tech or
whatever."

This latest development comes one month after Anchor announced it was
stopping national distribution and discontinuing its Christmas Ale,
which it has produced since 1975.

A difficult decision after what Singer said is many months of careful
evaluation.

Resident Andrew Strause told ABC7 News, "I don't even drink the beer,
but I'm sad that they're leaving."

Anchor Public Taps will remain open temporarily. They'll sell
remaining inventory, including a small volume of 2023 Anchor
Christmas Ale, brewed prior to the company's recent decision to
cancel the nationwide release.

Anchor was established in San Francisco in 1896 and was the country's
first craft brewery.

The company's assets will be put up for sale as an alternative to
bankruptcy. Anchor has had no luck in finding buyers for the brewery,
but state in the press release that one may still come forward in the
liquidation process.

"Anchor is grateful for its employees who exude so much passion for
the Anchor brand," Singer said. "Anchor thanks them for their
commitment and all that they have done to build and care for this
beloved brewery."

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