(Press Release)

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Anchor Brewing Company announces a new President, Matt Davenport, to oversee sales, distribution, and brand development for America’s first craft brewery.

A veteran of the beverage alcohol industry with over twenty years’ experience, Davenport previously served as Executive Vice President of Sales at Gruppo Campari where he managed and developed both US and Canadian routes to market for a fast growing portfolio of spirits brands.  Prior to that, Davenport held the position of Vice President of Sales at Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery where he created a sales organization that catapulted the Francis Coppola Brands into a household name in the wine industry.

In his role as President of Anchor Brewing Company, Davenport is focused in the short term on shoring up key markets and key distributor relations with companies like DBI, Reyes Beverage, Horizon Beverage, and Anchor’s newest partner the Sheehan Company in New York, to name a few.  Innovation will also be a major focus as Anchor looks to expand its portfolio and maximize the incredible talent of Anchor’s brewing team.

A long-time San Francisco resident and Anchor fan, Davenport arrives at Anchor with a pedigree of beverage industry expertise and a clear focus on sales, distribution, and innovation for Anchor’s growing portfolio of craft beer.

“As America’s first craft brewery, Anchor Brewing is undoubtedly one of the most respected breweries in the country. Our rich history in California, timeless brewing methods, and pioneering spirit is what makes Anchor so great.  We want to maximize those strengths, while seeking new ways to increase growth and maintain relevance in a rapidly growing industry,” said Anchor Brewing President Matt Davenport. “In the next few years, consumers will be seeing a lot of exciting changes at Anchor.  We have already begun the process as we continually explore new, interesting beer styles and recipes, releasing new brews. We also plan to expand sales in major metro cities across the country, south of the border, and overseas.  We are going to take a look at innovative packaging to freshen up Anchor’s iconic look and feel, as well.  Most importantly, we are going to continue to honor Anchor’s legacy and uphold that creative San Francisco spirit; the same spirit that sparked the Craft Brewing Revolution 50 years ago under the guidance of Fritz Maytag. This is a new era for craft beer, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the brewery that’s helping to lead it.”

To learn more Anchor’s growing beer selection and to find a beer near you, visit the Anchor Beer Finder.

For more information on Anchor Brewing, visit www.AnchorBrewing.com.

About Anchor Brewing Company

Anchor Brewing Company’s roots date back to the California Gold Rush making it one of America’s oldest breweries. Its Anchor Steam® Beer is San Francisco’s original since 1896. In 1965, Fritz Maytag acquired and revived the struggling brewery at a time when mass production of beer dominated and seemed unstoppable. Maytag started a revolution in beer that originated today’s craft beer movement. An undisputed icon, Anchor is America’s first craft brewery where beers are handmade in our traditional copper brewhouse from an all-malt mash. At Anchor, we practice the time-honored art of classical brewing, employing state-of-the-art methods to ensure that our beers are always pure and fresh. We know of no brewery in the world that matches our efforts to combine traditional, natural brewing with such carefully applied, modern methods of sanitation, finishing, packaging and transporting.  See what we are brewing today at www.anchorbrewing.com.