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SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

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Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#331

Post by splonk »

kelnos wrote: post #309
deadballcretin wrote: post #190

Simply put, par for the course when it comes to what little of San Francisco's soul is actually left. Slowly dismantling the weird to make way for the boring. Saporro has mismanaged this from the very start, they had no plan when they bought the company and will almost certainly turn to victim blaming and crying foul amidst their successful unionization effort in 2019.

I think it's sad that such an iconic brand is shutting down, but Anchor's "weird" actually made their beer a fairly boring product. There are much more interesting options all over the place, though, like everywhere else in the US, there are still too many IPAs, to my endless disappointment. Meanwhile, I have two great small breweries within an easy walking distance of my home in the Dogpatch (not far from where Anch…

I've only been to Olfactory a couple times but as far as I'm concerned it's a massive improvement over Triple Voodoo. I do like Harmonic as well, it's just even farther out of my way than Olfactory. Basically the only time I ever went to Anchor was when I was walking home from Dogpatch and didn't feel like stopping by one of those other places first.

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#332

Post by monkeyodeath »

bartread wrote: post #90
krustyburger wrote: post #21

It’s important to note that Anchor as a division is being shut down as a cost-saving measure by its owner Sapporo, a transnational, publicly-traded corporation. Sapporo says they have tried to find a buyer for Anchor, but to no avail. Meanwhile Sapporo recently purchased Stone Brewing in San Diego and are beginning Sapporo production there while still making Stone beers. If Sapporo hadn’t also bought Stone, presumabl…

I think that is an important point but, with that said, I'd suggest that perhaps the reason Anchor were struggling is they didn't really innovate. Rather they rested on the laurels of that 127 year heritage. Certainly a very personal opinion but the first time I tried Anchor beers sometime in the noughties I was underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong: they're certainly better than Bud, Coors, etc., but as a Brit coming fro…

Sapporo's "innovations" for the Anchor brand were to pick a fight with labor, tinker with the recipe of their most historic beer, and green-light of the most infamously eye-searing rebrands in recent memory.

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#333

Post by wrycoder »

OkayPhysicist wrote: post #320
xp84 wrote: post #287

Earlier quoted context omitted.

20th century labor movement: We want improved working conditions and more jobs to exist, let’s bargain in pursuit of that goal 21st century labor movement: we’d consider it a success to destroy all of the jobs altogether rather than accept less than 100% of our demands (which may or may not be economically feasible). It sure incentivizes eliminating human labor as fast as possible.

That's not exactly being generous to the unions. The corporations fight unionization at every turn, so the unions need to play aggressive to get the kinds of wins that keep them being supported. At the same time, the corporations have taken the position that unionization is such an existential threat that they'll happily close a profitable location if it unionizes, in order to make an example of them, raising the sta…

The best way to 'fight' unionization is to offer a great employment package, so that the workers are reasonably happy. Workers know that unions come wih a lot of disadvantages. And unions often use heavy-handed methods to create a union shop, like effectively open elections and shaming.

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#334

Post by rhapsodic »

floren wrote: post #126
mattmaroon wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yuengling is not considered craft beer by a lot of people because it’s made mainly from adjuncts, in their case corn. It’s only recent that the Brewer’s Association changed the definition to include them, but most people in the industry disagree with it. Yuengling is just a cheaply made lager that’s really no better than Budweiser. But, that term doesn’t have an official definition so they still can claim the title.

> Yuengling is just a cheaply made lager that’s really no better than Budweiser. Now, maybe in terms of production methods, but I've consumed plenty of Bud and absolutely gallons of Yuengling, and Yuengling stands apart. It's not fancy, but it's good. College parties in Rochester would usually include Labatt, Molson, Yuengling, and Genesee. Only the Yuengling was worthy as a drinking beer; Labatt and Molson were just…

[dead]

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#335

Post by nlanier »

Interesting discussion here, I enjoyed reading it. I was sad to learn of Anchor’s demise today. It’s rare a thread appears on HN that’s relevant to my work! If anyone is curious about the current state of the beer market from someone who earns a living at it I may be able to provide some insight.

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#336

Post by s1artibartfast »

kelnos wrote: post #284
balderdash wrote: post #277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s on the ropes in corporate America - but not in the public sector.

I know this is just one example, but public school teacher unions don't seem to be doing so great, seeing how teaching is still the example always brought up as the most tragically underpaid profession. Sure, a union isn't a magic bullet that fixes all problems, but I know school teachers in some very different districts in the US, and their pay is universally awful for the amount of time they put in, and some of the…

Like you said it depends on the sector. I have a lot of friends that work for the state and it seems like their unions are doing great. Six figures, guaranteed raises, 2 Days in office per month, and what seems from an outsider to be like a 20 hour work week

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#338

Post by reillyse »

alasdair_ wrote: post #253
reillyse wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I haven’t seen anyone suggest unionization has had anything to do with it, in fact I’m going to groundlessly state that it probably is the only reason they lasted this long.

They only unionized four years ago. The union probably wasn't a reason why they lasted.

I was just pointing out the obvious anti-union bias of just mentioning they were unionized as if it had something to do with them failing. Sounds like they got bought by a conglomerate who closed them down. Normal capitalistic practice unrelated to the existence or lack of existence of a union.

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#339

Post by tguvot »

i am kind of late to discussion, but. i just walked through beer isle in safeway and in this hellscape of beer flavored carbonated water and triple hazy sour watermelon ipas ,anchor beers (lager, pilsner, beer) are the only one that are drinkable by those who don't love local craft madness.

they will be missed

Re: SF's Anchor Brewing Company shutting down after 127 years

#340

Post by bagacrap »

xkgwkdmgjtx wrote: post #143

I hesitate to post this hearsay accusation, but it hasn't been mentioned in this thread and it might be important to discuss. I talked to Anchor employees after the news about stopping the Christmas Ale and stopping sales outside of California. They told me the writing was on the wall that Anchor would be closed down and sold for scraps. They were adamant that the root issue here is Sapporo mismanagement, not anythin…

So why do these employees not bid on the business and make it a co-op?
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