Distillers & Spirit Producers

Anchor Distilling Company

Anchor Distilling Company, Potrero Hill, San Francisco, California, USA.

Anchor Distilling is a subsidiary of the well-known Anchor Brewing Company. The brewery, best known for it’s Steam Beer, was first established in 1871 by German born Gottlieb Brekle. In 1896 Brekle sold the brewery to Ernst Baruth and Otto Schinkel who renamed it Anchor. In the 1950’s there was a market surge in mass produced beers and Anchor faced some difficult years. In 1965 Anchor was saved from bankruptcy when bought by Frederick “Fritz” Maytag, a member of the Maytag family responsible for the well-known American household appliances company, who sold his shares in Maytag to enable the purchase.

The distillery was born out of an idea Fritz Maytag had back in the 1970’s to create a Rye Whisky and became indicative of how all their spirits are thoroughly researched and experimented with extensively until they are certain they have it just right. Finally founded in 1993, the distillery concentrates on the small batch production of spirits, led by head Distiller Bruce Joseph (an employee of Anchor since 1980). In 2010 Keith Greggor and Tony Foglio of the Griffin Group (and previously from Skyy Vodka) bought Anchor, with Fritz Maytag still retained as Chairman. Since this time they have expanded to include the sale and distribution of imported spirits too (currently with a portfolio of over 400 brands). In 2016 Anchor plan to open a new brewery and distillery (while retaining the current site) at Pier 48 in San Francisco, providing more of a visitor center experience. It is expected to have a museum, tours, tasting room and, of course, a bar and restaurant.

Anchor Distilling Company.

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