New York
CNN
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Anchor Brewing, America’s oldest craft brewer, closed last summer after greater than 127 years in enterprise. Now, it’s being introduced again to life because of an sudden purchaser.
Hamdi Ulukaya, the billionaire founder and CEO of yogurt maker Chobani, announced Friday on LinkedIn he has bought the San Francisco-beer model with plans to revive Anchor Brewing’s taprooms and beloved brews. Monetary phrases weren’t disclosed.
Regardless of solely visiting San Francisco a couple of instances, Ulukaya knew that Anchor had a robust connection to the California metropolis and was intrigued after listening to about its historical past into rescuing it, regardless of the craft beer’s troubles. Anchor closed in July 2023 and its former parent company Sapporo USA put it up for sale after dealing with years of declining gross sales.
Ulukaya wrote that each town and Anchor “are each experiencing the magic of rebirth” and that he believes “manufacturers born in locations like this need to be treasured, revered and liked.”
“I used to be additionally touched by Anchor’s devoted workers who’ve labored tirelessly to make it one of the vital beloved beer manufacturers in San Francisco and world wide. I’ll honor Anchor’s historical past, and I supply my dedication to its future,” he stated.
Anchor’s remnants have been been embroiled in months-long public sale course of, with Sapporo providing patrons its actual property and mental property individually. Nonetheless, Ulukaya purchased all of it, wanting to maintain the corporate utterly intact.
Particular plans for the relaunch weren’t launched, together with how shortly the dormant breweries could be reopened, however Ulukaya told the San Francisco Standard that he plans to carry again its outdated labeling. In 2021, Sapporo unveiled a brand new search for the beer cans and bottles in hopes to revive gross sales however ended up angering its hardcore followers.
Regardless of Ulukaya’s pleasure about reviving the 127-year-old model, the craft beer enterprise has been in decline as drinkers shift to spirits and cheaper alternate options. And Anchor had its personal issues previous to its closing, together with the lack of nationwide distribution, making it tougher to compete.
“The previous 12 months has allowed the corporate to turn out to be a signifier for American craft beer and what helped form the market to what it’s at this time, however there’s additionally no purpose to consider a brand new proprietor will out of the blue permit the brewery to regain nationwide prominence,” Bryan Roth, an analyst for Really feel Items Firm and editor of the alcohol beverage publication, Sightlines+, informed CNN.
He steered that Anchor “lean in as a lot as potential to its San Francisco and California root” and deal with regional gross sales and reopening the taproom within the Potrero Hill neighborhood, which had turn out to be a preferred place for vacationers and locals.
“The model struggled as a result of it stored relevance with longtime, dedicated craft beer fanatics, however not often registered with younger folks or informal drinkers,” Roth stated. “Specializing in Anchors legacy, stature, and a part of American craft beer historical past may assist the brewery type new emotional connections with drinkers.”