BREAKING NEWS: San Franciscans Steamed at Anchor? Legendary Bay Area Craft Brewery Cashes In/Sells Out

San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing Company, a pioneer (and originator/founder?) of today's independent craft beer industry with over a century of history, has been bought by Japan's Sapporo Holdings Limited for a reported $85 million. As is typical in these matters, the brewery claims that the beer, which at this point will still be brewed at its facility in the city, will be unaffected by the transaction. SFGate.com, the online sister site of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, has plenty of coverage on the reported acquisition, including comments from Anchor's owners. Brewbound (among others) is reporting the sale price.

Beers in Review, Labor Day Weekend Part 2: Beer Flight Style

I'm struggling to stay caught up, so I'm going to fly through a bunch of beers from Labor Day weekend.

Anchor Steam: a nice malt/fruit flavor, and pretty clean

Widmer Upheaval IPA: dank aroma, with some dark fruit notes--it's listed as an "American" IPA, but it's pretty hoppy, if so

River Rat Broad River Red: nice malt sweetness, pretty clean finish

Stone IPA: surprisingly mild citrusy hop profile with some sweetness in the middle

Finch's Pale Ale: somewhat mild flavor; the hops are evident but not super-flavorful, pretty clean