Person's hand holding bottle of California Lager from Anchor Brewing Company, maker of Anchor Steam Beer, Lafayette, California, July 12, 2023. A spokesperson for the Brewers Association, which represents more than 5,400 brewers, distributors and craft beer retailers, said the trade group doesn't normally, by policy, comment on the opening or closing of any beer company. But the impending closure of Anchor Brewing — an iconic San Francisco staple as famous as sourdough bread, Ghirardelli Chocolate or Rice-A-Roni — prompted it to offer a heartfelt eulogy. "Anchor's contributions to craft brewing and American beer history cannot be overstated," chief economist Bart Watson said in a statement. Anchor Brewing was purchased in 2017 by Sapporo U.S.A. A representative for the company couldn't immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

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Persons: Smith, Sam Singer, Singer, Roni —, Bart Watson, Watson, couldn't Organizations: California Lager, Anchor Brewing Company, Steam, Brewing, NBC News, Brewers Association, Sapporo U.S.A Locations: California, Lafayette , California, San Francisco, Potrero Hill