Home » City Guide » , , , , ,

SF’s 127-Year-Old Anchor Brewing to Close Down

Established in 1896, the country’s first craft brewery says it has brewed its last beer. Anchor Public Taps remains open (for now) until at least August 1st.
By - posted 7/12/2023 No Comment

By Jeff Ballinger, Bay City News

A landmark company in San Francisco has turned off its taps.

Anchor Brewing Company officials announced early Wednesday that it will cease operations and liquidate the business — established in 1896 — citing economic factors including declining sales since 2016. The company gave employees 60-day notices “with the intent to provide transition support and separation packages in line with company practices and policies,” according to the announcement from company spokesperson San Singer.

“This was an extremely difficult decision that Anchor reached only after many months of careful evaluation,” Singer said in the announcement. “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 recently announced it would limit sales of Anchor beers to California and that it would cut production of its Anchor Christmas Ale.

The announcement reports that Anchor has stopped brewing and will continue packaging and distributing the beer on hand while available or through around the end of July. Anchor Public Taps will remain open temporarily, selling remaining inventory, including a small volume of 2023 Anchor Christmas Ale, which was brewed prior to the company’s recent decision to cancel the nationwide release.

Is Anchor Public Taps Still Open?

Yes! According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Public Taps will be open until at least August 1, 2023 and possibly longer. Public Taps is located at 495 De Haro Street at Mariposa in San Francisco right across the street from the brewery.

Hours of Operation*
– Monday: 4pm-9pm
– Tuesday: 4pm-9pm
– Wednesday: Noon – 10pm
– Thursday: Noon – 10pm
– Friday: Noon – 10pm
– Saturday: Noon – 10pm
– Sunday: 11am – 8pm

*obviously subject to change. Check anchorbrewing.com or for updates

Will Anchor Brewing Reopen?

Although it’s possible a new buyer will come in to save the day, it sounds like it’s unlikely. According to VinePair.com, Sapporo USA, which purchased Anchor in 2017 will shutter the brewery and it “will be sold for parts”

Can I Still Book an Anchor Brewery Tour?

According to Anchor’s website, there are still bookable appointments for for July for the Public Tour and Tastings ($25) as well as a special Christmas Ale 2023 tasting ($49), all of these events are subject to change. It could be that Anchor has not updated their website yet.

Where Can I Buy Anchor Steam

It sounds like when the current stock is gone, it’s gone. Here’s how to find a beer store near you that sells Anchor beer.

“Anchor has invested great passion and significant resources into the company,” Singer said. “Unfortunately, today’s economic pressures have made the business no longer sustainable, and we had to make the heartbreaking decision to cease operations.”

Singer said the company is negotiating filing for bankruptcy under federal Chapter 7 or 11.

“Anchor has already brewed its final beer at the historic Potrero Hill brewery” – San Francisco Chronicle, July 12, 2023

Based in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, the company describes itself as the nation’s first craft brewery.

Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area.