Anchor Distilling Becomes Hotaling & Co., Seeks New Home After Sapporo Sale

Anchor Distilling is now Hotaling & Co.

When Anchor Brewing was sold last summer to Japanese brewery Sapporo, their distillery arm, Anchor Distilling, wasn’t part of the deal. It’s now spinning off with a new name, Hotaling & Co, because Sapporo owns the rights to the Anchor trademark. It’s also seeking a new home, which hasn’t yet been finalized — somewhere closer to downtown, owners hope.

Charlie Hallowell announces six month leave of absence

After a group of restaurant owner Charlie Hallowell’s former employees, who have hired a harassment lawyer to represent them, staged a press conference yesterday, Hallowell’s lawyers responded with a press conference of their own. Hallowell, who has already “stepped away” from his businesses Pizzaiolo, Penrose, and Boot & Shoe Service, will take a six month leave of absence in response to allegations of sexual harassment — but his accusers demand he leave completely.

International Smoke heating up with lunch service

Ayesha Curry and Michael Mina’s downtown restaurant International Smoke is ready to offer its global grill menu at lunch. Starting February 5, they’ll be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m Monday to Friday — good news for those seeking ribs without a dinner reservation.

One more week for The Fine Mousse

Nob Hill Champagne bar the Fine Mousse, which announced its last bottle would be popped on January 27, hasn’t quite run out of bubbly yet. They’ll stay in business a few days longer, just through February 4, based on the “insane response” they had in their (not-quite) final week.