In early 1969, after a whirlwind four years, Fritz Maytag became the Brewery's sole owner. Two years later—and one hundred years after German brewer Gottlieb Brekle founded the brewery that became Anchor—Fritz began bottling Anchor Steam Beer. This was the first bottled Anchor Steam in modern times. By late 1975, Anchor had produced four other distinctive beers, Anchor Porter, Liberty Ale, Old Foghorn, and its first annual Christmas Ale. Though the term "micro-brewing" had yet to be coined, it was already becoming clear that a brewing renaissance was in full swing in San Francisco.

By 1977, Anchor—though still very small—had nearly outgrown its Brewery on 8th Street. After a long search, owner Fritz Maytag purchased a wonderful old coffee roastery, built in 1937, on nearby Potrero Hill. On August 13, 1979, Anchor brewed its first Steam Beer at its new Mariposa Street home.