Former Anchor Brewing workers ‘excited’ to return

The majority of former workers of Anchor Brewing have said they are “ready and excited” to return to work.

Speaking on social media this week, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents workers from across Anchor’s San Francisco-based brewery and taproom, revealed that 77% of the workers were committed to reviving the iconic Anchor Steam beer brand.

The move follows Anchor Brewing’s recent sale to Chobani yoghurt billionaire entrepreneur Hamdi Ulukaya who plans to restart the brewery and restore its traditional branding.

Anchor Brewing faced closure last summer and the staff had made attempts to salvage the business rather than have it consigned to history, however since Ulukaya’s offer to reignite the brewery along with its recipes, 30 out of 39 former workers have signalled their intentions to return if they are offered a job.

Former Anchor worker Thomas Delany said that bringing back the former employees would be a perfect bookend to Anchor brewing’s latest comeback story.

Delany said: “No one knows better how to brew and market Anchor better than us. Imaging the return of the same great product that people have enjoyed for years being made by the same dedicated workers that have loved making this iconic beer for years.”

Another former Anchor worker Denny Miller explained: “When I heard Hamdi Ulukaya had bought Anchor and was going to resurrect the brand, it was a dream come true. It was a real loss for San Francisco when Anchor went away.

Describing his enthusiasm to return, former Anchor worker Ryan Poulos added: “Anchor was the best job I ever had and the people there were some of the best people I have ever worked with. We were committed to doing our best for Anchor and we all took pride in our work and being part of a company that is so connected [to] San Francisco’s history. I would come back to Anchor Brewing in a heartbeat.”