Brewing Company to Redrop Anchor in Potrero Hill

In May, Hamdi Ulukaya, chief executive officer of Chobani Yogurt and owner of coffee company La Colombe, purchased Anchor Brewing Company for an undisclosed amount. Ulukaya executed the purchase through Shepherd Futures, his family office, after meeting with municipal officials. The sale includes Anchor’s 1705 Mariposa Street factory, the public taproom at 495 De Haro Street, brewing equipment, and intellectual property. 

The brewery was shuttered, with 61 employees laid off, last July, when Sapporo USA, a branch of Sapporo Holdings Ltd., liquidated it. Sapporo bought Anchor in 2017, after which the company suffered financial losses due to declining sales, particularly at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ulukaya announced his acquisition with a video posted on X in which he referred to the brewery as “the grand jewel” and indicated he’d reopen it. In conversations with City officials, Ulukaya suggested that if the operation was successful, he might expand production facilities. The first step is to secure permits and staff-up. 

In the X video, Ulukaya related that he met with four former Anchor Brewing employees when he toured the brewery.

“When I told them I’d like to be part of bringing this company, Anchor Beer, this dream, back to life, they couldn’t be more excited. And I couldn’t be more honored,” stated Ulukaya in the video. 

Ulukaya told the San Francisco Chronicle that he’s discussing staffing with the Anchor Brewing Union. Workers had organized through the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 6, under the moniker Anchor SF Cooperative. In June, 30 out of 39 former Anchor workers and ILWU members issued a press release announcing that they’d like to return to work, though they hadn’t met with Ulukaya or his representatives. 

Ryan Poulos, a former Anchor worker, said in the press release, “I would come back to Anchor Brewing in a heartbeat.” 

“Anchor Brewing has always been a beloved part of San Francisco and thanks to Hamdi Ulukaya it will be a part of San Francisco for years to come. I’m grateful for his commitment to being a part of the future of our city and for keeping the tradition of Anchor Steam beer being brewed right here where it belongs,” said Mayor London Breed, in an Instagram post.

“We are super excited about the fact that this community anchor (no pun intended) has been purchased and the tradition of Anchor Steam will continue right here in District 10. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring back jobs, a place for community, and the reviving of history that this sale represents. We are looking forward to the next steps around ensuring Anchor Steam is the fully functioning community staple it has always been,” said District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton in a press release. 

In 2023, Walton introduced a San Francisco Board of Supervisors resolution that included directives for those interested in acquiring Anchor Brewing, which was passed unanimously. The resolution encourages a future owner to rehire former employees, as well as collaborate with ILWU Local 6 to maintain jobs, living wages, and benefits. The resolution also included preservation of Production, Distribution, and Repair (PDR) zoning at 1705 Mariposa and 495 De Haro streets, and prohibited large office developments, large-scale retail, and heavy industrial uses at the sites. 

Keith Goldstein, Potrero Dogpatch Merchants Association president, said Ulukaya met with him and a few representatives of community organizations in May, including Jude Deckenbach, Friends of Jackson Park executive director, J.R. Eppler, The Potrero Boosters president, and Alison Heath, head of the Potrero Boosters Development Committee. 

“He demonstrated a sincere willingness for Anchor to remain a key part of the Potrero Hill community. I am excited and thrilled that Anchor will stay on the Hill. And that it has been purchased by someone with an inspiring history, a huge heart, and apparently, excellent business sense!” said Goldstein. 

“The rebirth of Anchor is starting from a strong place, with a focus on the beer, the brewery, and its place in the community,” said Eppler. 

“We could not be more thrilled to have Anchor be rescued and returned to making iconic steam beer,” Katherine Doumani, Dogpatch Neighborhood Association vice president, agreed. 

“The community’s meeting with Hamdi, [Presidio Bay Ventures CEO] Cyrus Sanandaji, and their respective teams was great,” said Deckenbach. “Hamdi seems very community-driven and was interested in hearing from all of us. Now that the transaction has closed, the work is just beginning. The next few…months will be focused on establishing the business plan for the new brewery operations…Friends of Jackson Park is looking forward to working with Presidio Bay and Hamdi’s team to improve our little corner of the City.” 

Presidio Bay Ventures is a San Francisco-based real estate developer.

“Anchor is deeply pleased that Hamdi Ulukaya has purchased the Anchor Brewing Company. His commitment to the brewery and its history in San Francisco will be important to future generations of San Franciscans and Californians,” said Sam Singer, president of Singer Associates Public Relations, spokesperson for Anchor Brewing until the sale.