Doesn’t sound like they are doing so well! Or rather that Sapporo ran them into the ground.
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/anchor- ... pany-sale/
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Anchor Brewing Ceases Operations
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Cadbury102
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2013 8:34 am
That's truly sad news. I had always enjoyed Anchor Steam. It was one of my go-to's in the early 2010s. Sorry to see them go.
Man, 127 year run. They were one that seemed invincible.
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S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1049
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
"A representative for Anchor Brewing Co., Sam Singer...attributes the decision to a mix of familiar factors: “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.
Current and former workers cite another factor: Sapporo USA’s ownership itself. Over the past few years, they tell VinePair, the Japanese conglomerate’s United States’ subsidiary has been deferring necessary plant maintenance, picking fights with its union, and investing in costly automation equipment in hopes of retrofitting the urban manufacturing landmark into a facility that could handle its lager-based ambitions. A controversial 2021 rebrand caused anguish among workers and drinkers alike who viewed the vivid packaging and slick logo as an affront to Anchor’s singular, artisanal aesthetic."
Hmmm.
Current and former workers cite another factor: Sapporo USA’s ownership itself. Over the past few years, they tell VinePair, the Japanese conglomerate’s United States’ subsidiary has been deferring necessary plant maintenance, picking fights with its union, and investing in costly automation equipment in hopes of retrofitting the urban manufacturing landmark into a facility that could handle its lager-based ambitions. A controversial 2021 rebrand caused anguish among workers and drinkers alike who viewed the vivid packaging and slick logo as an affront to Anchor’s singular, artisanal aesthetic."
Hmmm.
Geez, you'd think they could have knocked out some hard soda or something to bring in the revenue. 
Brands are for cattle.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
It will interesting to know how this effects their properties in Canada.S. St. Jeb wrote: ↑Wed Jul 12, 2023 8:08 pm "A representative for Anchor Brewing Co., Sam Singer...attributes the decision to a mix of familiar factors: “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.
Current and former workers cite another factor: Sapporo USA’s ownership itself. Over the past few years, they tell VinePair, the Japanese conglomerate’s United States’ subsidiary has been deferring necessary plant maintenance, picking fights with its union, and investing in costly automation equipment in hopes of retrofitting the urban manufacturing landmark into a facility that could handle its lager-based ambitions. A controversial 2021 rebrand caused anguish among workers and drinkers alike who viewed the vivid packaging and slick logo as an affront to Anchor’s singular, artisanal aesthetic."
Hmmm.
Brands are for cattle.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
Fans are cash cows.
The herd will consume until consumed.
I’ve said before that I’m never surprised at anything that happens in beer nowadays, and I can’t say that I’m shocked. But I’m still genuinely saddened by this.
I remember being enamored with Anchor before even trying them thanks to the write-up in Michael Jackson’s pocket beer guide (see below). Back then they just seemed like a cool, old-school micro that had a broad lineup, something that was pretty nonexistent around here. I remember visiting the brewery years ago (picking up tin tackers for $5/each) and how cool it was.
I always loved Liberty Ale, and regularly bought both that and Steam when they were in Ontario. I still have a few bottles of Old Foghorn that I guess are collectibles now!
It sucks that their awesome story came to end this way.
I remember being enamored with Anchor before even trying them thanks to the write-up in Michael Jackson’s pocket beer guide (see below). Back then they just seemed like a cool, old-school micro that had a broad lineup, something that was pretty nonexistent around here. I remember visiting the brewery years ago (picking up tin tackers for $5/each) and how cool it was.
I always loved Liberty Ale, and regularly bought both that and Steam when they were in Ontario. I still have a few bottles of Old Foghorn that I guess are collectibles now!
It sucks that their awesome story came to end this way.
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Very disappointing news. Like many, Anchor was one of my earlier forays into the world of American craft beer and Liberty Ale still stands out as a "wow moment" when I first tried it. It'll be a shame if rumblings from the workers are true and Sapporo turns the old brewery into just another brewing facility for their beers. I'd love to think there's someone out there who could step in and save Anchor, it's survived this long.
Also that rebranding. Wow. Somehow I missed that, likely since we haven't had Anchor up here for years, but that really is awful. Their labels and overall branding were iconic, I really loathe modernist sleek branding that marketers seem to be obsessed with.
Cherish those tin tackers @Cass! I found a bunch of Anchor bottles with my old homebrewing stuff while cleaning out the basement the other day, glad I still have them.
Also that rebranding. Wow. Somehow I missed that, likely since we haven't had Anchor up here for years, but that really is awful. Their labels and overall branding were iconic, I really loathe modernist sleek branding that marketers seem to be obsessed with.
Cherish those tin tackers @Cass! I found a bunch of Anchor bottles with my old homebrewing stuff while cleaning out the basement the other day, glad I still have them.
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S. St. Jeb
- Seasoned Drinker
- Posts: 1049
- Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2011 11:44 pm
- Location: Burlington, ON
I somehow missed it too. I agree with your comments.
I remember having Anchor Steam, while I was on business in California, probably sometime in the early 2000s. It was very fresh, and delicious.
I did enjoy it here, occasionally, but it was never as good.
Haven't seen it here in ages. Very sad that they're shutting down.
I did enjoy it here, occasionally, but it was never as good.
Haven't seen it here in ages. Very sad that they're shutting down.
https://vinepair.com/booze-news/anchor- ... eover-bid/
Not sure if anything will come of this, but it would be amazing if the employees pulled it off. Seems like the best progression so to speak; a storied brewery saved in the 1960s going on to pioneer the modern craft beer era, saved once again to become an employee co-op in an era of industry consolidation. I think that would be a great story. You can bet they'd reinstate the old branding as well.
Not sure if anything will come of this, but it would be amazing if the employees pulled it off. Seems like the best progression so to speak; a storied brewery saved in the 1960s going on to pioneer the modern craft beer era, saved once again to become an employee co-op in an era of industry consolidation. I think that would be a great story. You can bet they'd reinstate the old branding as well.