Christmas came early this year in Potrero Hill and it was sad news for craft beer drinkers. Anchor Brewing released their 47th (and likely final) Christmas Ale in July, with a California-only distribution, as a result of their brewery shutdown announced in the same month. Anchor's beers have been a perennial favorite of mine -- especially Liberty Ale and the ever-changing Our Very Special Ale to kick off the Christmas season each year. Some years were hits, some were misses, but I always looked forward to trying each year's release. It's sad to see the end of Anchor Brewing and I'm happy to have a dwindling few bottles stored in my garage.
