After 127 years, Anchor Brewing, the nation's first craft brewery, closes its doors.

 Founder of the craft beer movement and San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing claimed dwindling sales as the main factor in its closure.

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Beer cans for Anchor Steam are shown in this image taken on July 12, 2023, in San Anselmo, 

California. AFP/File

America's oldest craft brewery, Anchor Brewing, made the announcement that it will be closing after 127 years in business. 

The "godfather" of the craft beer movement, a San Francisco-based brewery, announced its closure with dwindling sales as the main justification. The brand was unable to be revived despite efforts by the Japanese brewing giant Sapporo, who acquired Anchor Brewing in 2017. As customer preferences have changed and smaller brewers have been either purchased or made to close their doors in the wake of the epidemic, Anchor Brewing's collapse highlights the difficulties encountered by craft beer distributors. 

Sam Singer, a representative for Anchor Brewing, recognised in a statement the historic value of Anchor to San Francisco and the craft brewing sector. Singer blamed the pandemic's effects, inflation, and the market's fierce competitiveness for the closure. The pub and restaurant industries, which were primarily reliant on sales for the corporation, suffered tremendously during the epidemic. Sales significantly dropped as a result of this and shifting consumer tastes.

Brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery Garrett Oliver expressed his sorrow at Anchor Brewing's passing and emphasised the importance of that company to the development of American craft brewing. He referred to Anchor Brewing as the "grandfather" of all American craft brewing, inspiring a generation of brewers and transforming the business.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the Prohibition era weren't enough to stop Anchor Brewing from having a long and illustrious career. With the popularity of its pale ale and Christmas ale under Fritz Maytag's leadership in 1965, the brewery helped fuel the growth of speciality brews. Despite its fortitude, the business had financial difficulties in the 1960s and was about to suffer the same end when Maytag stepped in.

Just over 13% of the US beer market was made up of craft beer sales in 2017, although the sector as a whole has struggled with the growth of pre-packaged drinks. The demise of Anchor Brewing brings to light the financial challenges encountered by small independent breweries in the evolving market environment.

The shutdown of Anchor Brewing is a setback for the craft beer sector and creates a gap in the American brewing industry. Although the firm has stopped making beer, it will nevertheless package and distribute its remaining stock through the end of July. There is still a chance that a buyer may emerge during the liquidation process, preserving Anchor Brewing's history.