Craft brewery fans have encontered several disappointments in recent years, which exacerbated when San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing, which was established in 1869, ceased national sales in June 2023, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2023, and shut down operations.
Anchor Brewing was one of the best known and highly regarded independent craft breweries for decades. But things went south after Japan-based brewer Sapporo Holdings purchased the company in August 2017 for $85 million.
Anchor Brewing won’t reopen in San Francisco
About 10 months after Anchor filed for bankruptcy, Shepherd Futures, the family office of Hamdi Ulukaya, the billionaire founder and CEO of Chobani yogurt, on May 31, 2024, said in a statement that it was going to purchase all of Anchor Brewing’s assets and would relaunch the brand.
About a year later in 2025, Ulukaya’s team reportedly said that they have no intention of reopening the original brewery or reestablishing a physical taproom in San Francisco. Instead, the beer will be brewed by a contract brewery outside the city.
Other sizable craft brewery operations have shut down this year, including Exton, Pa.-based Iron Hill Brewery LLC, which shut down all 16 of its brewpub and restaurant locations in five Eastern states in September and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October to liquidate all of its assets, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Rogue Ales & Spirits liquidates assets
Craft brewery and distillery Rogue Ales & Spirits abruptly shut down all operations, including its six Oregon brewpub locations, in November and filed for Chapter 7 liquidation, The Lincoln Chronicle first reported.
Rogue Ales had fallen behind on lease payments, owing $545,000 to the Port of Newport and about $30,000 in taxes to Lincoln County, Ore.
Seattle-based craft brewery Pike Brewing Co. closes its iconic Pike Pub and Pike Fish Bar.
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Pike Brewing Co. closes iconic pub
And now, iconic craft brewery Pike Brewing Company has revealed that it will close its legendary Pike Pub and neighboring Pike Fish Bar near Seattle’s Pike Place Market on Nov. 30.
Both locations will offer $4 draft beers through the closing date, Pike Pub said in a statement on its website.
The brewing company’s Pike Summit Taproom at the Summit Seattle Convention Center, however, will remain open.
“The traditional pub model became increasingly difficult to sustain, and we reached a point where we had to make a tough, but necessary, decision,” Pike Brewing CEO Matt Lincecum said in a statement, according to Washington Beer Blog.
“As Pike Brewing looks ahead, we’re focusing on what we do best, brewing exceptional beer and delivering it to friends and fans across the Pacific Northwest,” Lincecum said.
Pike Brewing said it will continue to brew and distribute its flagship beers, including Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale, Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale, Space Needle West Coast IPA, Post Alley Pils, Uptown Hazy IPA, and Ol’ Crimson Legendary Lager.
The brewing company’s beers are available at grocery stores, bottle shops, and bars across Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, according to Pike Brewing’s website.
Pike Brewing’s founders Charles and Rose Ann Finkel opened the brewery in 1989 on Western Avenue and later opened the Pike Place Market area location in 1996, Washington Beer Blog reported. Pike Fish Bar walk-up seafood and beer counter opened in 2022.
Pike Brewing Company’s beers
- Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale
- Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale
- Space Needle West Coast IPA
- Post Alley Pils
- Uptown Hazy IPA
- Ol’ Crimson Legendary Lager.
The Finkel’s sold Pike Brewing in 2021 to Seattle Hospitality Group, which also owns Fremont Brewing , Ethan Stowall Restaurants, Mtrwestern charter bus service, and Kenmore Air.
Seattle Hospitality is also affiliated with the Seattle Space Needle, Sheraton Grand Seattle, and other hospitality entities.
Seattle Hospitality Group companies:
- Pike Brewing Company
- Fremont Brewing Company
- Ethan Stowall Restaurants
- Mtrwestern charter bus service
- Kenmore Air
Pike Brewing had built a new state-of-the-art brewery in Seattle’s SoDo/Georgetown area in 2023, then Seattle Hospitality in 2024 bought Fremont Brewing Company, which had a larger brewery facility.
More closings:
- Major trucking company closes Home Depot distribution facility
- 63-year-old bankrupt retail chain closes all stores permanently
- Discount retail chain closes half its store locations
The company shut down its new Pike Brewing facility and began brewing Pike’s beers at the Fremont Brewing Company facility.
“Pike Pub helped define what a Seattle craft brewery could be,” Lincecum said. “We’re incredibly proud of the people who’ve contributed to that legacy.”
Related: Award-winning beer brand files Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation