In a significant development for San Francisco's craft beer scene, Hamdi Ulukaya, the billionaire founder and CEO of Chobani yogurt, has emerged as the new buyer of Anchor brewing. The iconic brewery, which was founded in San Francisco in 1896 and played a pivotal role in the American craft beer movement, was abruptly closed down by its former owner, Sapporo Breweries, last year.

The impending acquisition of Anchor brewing by Hamdi Ulukaya was recently disclosed to officials at San Francisco City Hall and is set to be formally announced today. Ulukaya, a 51-year-old Turkish-born Kurdish businessman, has reportedly agreed to purchase Anchor and all its assets, including the square-block factory on Potrero Hill, the West German-made brewing equipment, and the brewery's intellectual property.

This news comes as a major relief to fans of Anchor beer, as there were concerns that the company would be liquidated and potentially dismantled for parts by Sapporo. The emergence of a single buyer in Ulukaya draws parallels to Fritz Maytag's acquisition of the struggling Anchor Brewery in 1965, which ultimately revitalized the brand and laid the foundation for its legacy in the craft beer industry.

Hamdi Ulukaya, who hails from a Kurdish dairy farming family in a small Turkish village, founded Chobani nearly 20 years ago in upstate New York. Under his leadership, Chobani has grown to become a multi-billion-dollar business, with significant yearly sales. Ulukaya is known not only for his business acumen but also for his advocacy for Kurdish rights and philanthropic efforts.

Furthermore, Ulukaya has garnered attention for his progressive worker policies at Chobani, emphasizing the importance of employee well-being and satisfaction. His leadership and track record make him a promising figure to take the reins of Anchor brewing, preserving its rich history while moving it forward into a new chapter.

This acquisition by Hamdi Ulukaya signals a positive development for Anchor brewing and the San Francisco beer community as a whole. As the transaction progresses, it will be intriguing to see Ulukaya's vision for the future of this esteemed brewery and what innovations and collaborations might arise from this exciting merger of expertise.