Anchor Distilling changes to Hotaling

Anchor Distilling, formerly the spirits arm of famous San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing, has “reconnected with its roots” and been renamed Hotlaing & Co it has been announced.

Anchor Brewing was acquired by Japanese beer giant Sapporo in August last year with Anchor Distilling becoming independent under the ownership of Tony Foglio and UK fine wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd.

Now separate from Anchor Brewing trademarks necessitated the change of name and the spirits producer has taken inspiration from its small batch whiskey range – ‘Old Potrero Hotaling’s’ – which was named after AP Hotaling who came out west during the Gold Rush of 1849 and became one of San Francisco’s most reputable spirits dealers.

CEO Dennis Carr explained: “The Hotaling name pays tribute to our organisation’s past as it has been the name of our rarest and most sought-after expression of Old Potrero Whiskey, Hotaling’s, and celebrates our connection with San Francisco.”

The company also announced it would be moving its offices, distillery and tasting room to a new location in San Francisco soon.