[dbeechum]

Now that Anchor is going under, does their trademark disappear? Can commercial brewers call their brews "Steam Beer" without fear of legal consequences?

Probably not - the trademark would be part of Anchor's IP to be liquidated. Whoever buys the IP (since I'm sure it will be sold), will keep the trademark since it's arguably one of the most valuable bits.

[MDixon]

Everyone should realize we all contributed to their demise. When was the last time you purchased Anchor other than for a BJCP class, Christmas Ale, or Old Foghorn?

With the saturation of breweries people stopped buying Anchor and sales declined to the point the parent company wasn't willing to accept it anymore.

Am I sad, yes, but I know I was one of the reasons they won't be around anymore unless someone buys the assets to resurrect the brand.

[denny]

Everyone should realize we all contributed to their demise. When was the last time you purchased Anchor other than for a BJCP class, Christmas Ale, or Old Foghorn?

With the saturation of breweries people stopped buying Anchor and sales declined to the point the parent company wasn't willing to accept it anymore.

Am I sad, yes, but I know I was one of the reasons they won't be around anymore unless someone buys the assets to resurrect the brand.

Ya know, I'm not gonna buy beer just to keep a historic brewery alive. I'm gonna buy it if I like it.

[BrewingRover]

One analysis  here, it sounds like Sapporo didn't know what to do with their purchase
https://vinepair.com/articles/sapporo-usa-anchor-brewing-liquidation-analysis/

I realize this is primarily sourced from employees, but the rebrand was a disaster IMHO.

[MDixon]

Ya know, I'm not gonna buy beer just to keep a historic brewery alive. I'm gonna buy it if I like it.

The question is did you buy it regularly? If the answer is no, and for most people that is the case, then it's the reason they are closing. It happens all the time in the beer business, but typically not to those who are well established. I can think of three right now within 30 miles who are for sale or closing.

I didn't buy Anchor because it was one of the more expensive brands on the market. I vividly recall the first time I got my hands on a Liberty Ale, but that experience wasn't enough to keep me coming back on the regular.

I do hope someone resurrects the brand, and soon. I would also hope they would scrap the new branding in favor of the old.

[denny]

Ya know, I'm not gonna buy beer just to keep a historic brewery alive. I'm gonna buy it if I like it.

The question is did you buy it regularly? If the answer is no, and for most people that is the case, then it's the reason they are closing. It happens all the time in the beer business, but typically not to those who are well established. I can think of three right now within 30 miles who are for sale or closing.

I didn't buy Anchor because it was one of the more expensive brands on the market. I vividly recall the first time I got my hands on a Liberty Ale, but that experience wasn't enough to keep me coming back on the regular.

I do hope someone resurrects the brand, and soon. I would also hope they would scrap the new branding in favor of the old.

No, I didn't. Same question as before....should I buy something I don't like?

[BrewBama]

Looking at the recipes above, if they’re accurate, you can see that they’re fairly old school.  I like that but many beer drinkers have moved on. They were probably cutting edge originally but now they have been overtaken by the Haze Craze, IPA(s), newer hops, etc.  The market moves and the brewery must move with it or be passed by.

I think it’s sad due to the nostalgia of the historic brewery, but nostalgia only goes so far and BLUF: sales pay the bills.

[hopfenundmalz]

Was at some friends' house in Cupertino recently. I was offered a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, and said yes. It was wonderful.

Before that we spent some days in Paso Robles. The Double Barrel Ale at Firestone Walker was sublime.

Revisit some of the old classics and you might be pleased at how good they are.

[fredthecat]

Ya know, I'm not gonna buy beer just to keep a historic brewery alive. I'm gonna buy it if I like it.

I didn't buy Anchor because it was one of the more expensive brands on the market. I vividly recall the first time I got my hands on a Liberty Ale, but that experience wasn't enough to keep me coming back on the regular.

yeah, i remember liberty ale and id probably try the odd anchor brew if i could get it, but it hasnt been sold up here in idk how long.

also those fancy unique bottles may have been an unnecessary cost. someone mentioned on the first page the simple fact that their brewing space was not something easily expandable or upgradeable is also an unfortunate reality.

[Skeeter686]

No, I didn't. Same question as before....should I buy something I don't like?

Same here. 

I'm sad to see a brewery like this go away, but I wasn't a fan of the style, personally.  I do go out of my way (literally or by paying a bit more) to spend my coin at local businesses or at smaller shops that I like.  But not if it's a product that I wouldn't normally be purchasing.

[Drewch]

They never had very good market penetration anywhere that I've lived. So, I never bought them much bc I never saw them much.

I'm not sure I ever saw a Christmas or Foghorn in person.

They've always been in that class of "beers you read about but never meet in the wild" — like Westvleteren, Pliny, or Avec Les Bons Voeux.

[hopfenundmalz]

They never had very good market penetration anywhere that I've lived. So, I never bought them much bc I never saw them much.

I'm not sure I ever saw a Christmas or Foghorn in person.

They've always been in that class of "beers you read about but never meet in the wild" — like Westvleteren, Pliny, or Avec Les Bons Voeux.

Old guys like me have had all of those. It may have been easier back in the day.

[joe_meadmaker]

I saw this a couple days ago.  Definitely sad.  As others have mentioned, Steam was also one of my introductions to craft beer.  The last time I had it was probably a little over a year ago.  The drop in quality was definitely noticeable compared to what it once was.  I was also a fan of the Christmas and the Porter.

[ScallyWag]

Am I reading those clone recipes correctly??

almost 19% C40 on the Foghorn barleywine?

and 12.6% C40 in the steam ale??

I don't think I have ever tried those beers (so I don't know what they taste like), but I have certainly heard a lot about them.

[allenhuerta]

Am I reading those clone recipes correctly??

almost 19% C40 on the Foghorn barleywine?

and 12.6% C40 in the steam ale??

I don't think I have ever tried those beers (so I don't know what they taste like), but I have certainly heard a lot about them.

These recipes were given to the magazine from the brewery in 2014, so it's probably really accurate in sense of calculations, but I've never brewed/compared them. They are very old world recipes and I used to add that much, and more, C malts back when I started brewing. I use a lot less now but times be times.

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