Anchor Brewing Company To Cease Operations

One might argue Fritz Maytag started the craft beer industry when he saved Anchor from closing 50+ years ago. This is a sad day for the industry.

 

Well, we can probably close the other thread now...

 

Too bad, though I felt it was inevitable. In my area, after years at the forefront of craft options in the 90s/00s, it had been relegated to the bottom shelf at the shops I frequent, collecting dust unfortunately. Steam/Liberty/Porter were bigtime favorites of mine.

 

Man that’s sad

 

A sad day for beer lovers, but I especially feel for the Anchor workers.

I said it in the other thread, but will repeat it here, maybe a transnational corporation that cares more for profits than its product, employees and craft beer culture isn’t the best steward for iconic craft brands.

 

would not be surprised to see more iconic brands that sold to larger corporations be shuttered in the next few years.

 

This will wake up many brewery owners who haven't been closely watching their bottom line. More price increases to come? Less small-batch releases in our future? Hesitancy in brewery expansion? Recession in our economy? Am I too pessimistic?

 

Just plain criminal.

 

I think it just means more of the same. Local breweries staying (somewhat) local and simply expanding by building tap rooms in the immediate area.

I look at MA and see places like Notch, Trillium, Tree House, Nightshift...etc. building out second, and in some cases third and fourth, tap rooms. And each new location seems to do amazing business.

Why expand by distributing to other states and further clogging their fridges (or floors in many cases)?

 

Sad day for craft beer. Too bad they couldn’t find a buyer. Good work, Sapporo.

 

Uuuuf. Gut punch.

 

Man, that just plain sucks.

One of the absolute coolest ever craft beer stories I have is from Anchor. Some friends and I had stopped into Alesmith to pick up a keg on a quiet afternoon back in 2005(?) and got to talking with Peter, who after a bit mentioned he had extra tickets and invited us to attend the Pacific Brewers Cup dinner at Anchor. Dead serious, we were floored. So maybe 3 months later there we were in that neat old brewery with those gorgeous in-set copper kettles, rubbing elbows with homebrew sages who had forgotten more about brewing than we’d ever know. It was an incredible night in an iconic place with awesome people, all from the goodness of the craft community. Hooked me for life.

Just knowing that I’ll likely never see that place again makes it all a bit bittersweet. Really a sad state of affairs.

 

I have mixed feelings about it. Historically, it's tragic. I wish something could have been done to right the ship. Ditto with the staff and the brewery. On the other hand, the last beers I had from them weren't good. Not in a "you don't appreciate the classics" way, but as in they had flaws and didn't taste well made anymore. That's nearly a disappointing as losing a brand - I'd almost rather it die than falter.

Personally, I'll hope that the recipes/brand can be sold off to someone like Sierra Nevada who can do 'em justice again. Obviously I hope the brewery workers and even the equipment can see a new light, too.

 

Found memories of how good the Steam Beer was in San Francisco. The brewery tour and tasting were great. The guide pointed out that Fritz was in his Office. "Sigh"

 

I think this speaks to where the economy is headed. I'm starting to think the hyper local breweries who fought the knee jerk reaction to can everything and instead focused on their own personal business model and fostered relationships with local patrons are going to continue to prosper. Thoughts @dauss ?

 

Fuck