Prohibition, America's notorious experiment, came to an end for California beer drinkers on April 7, 1933. Anchor owner Joe Kraus began brewing his uniquely San Franciscan Anchor Steam Beer once again, after a hiatus of more than thirteen years. His newly reopened Brewery (now at 13th and Harrison) went up in smoke the following February.

After the fire, Joe Kraus reopened Anchor in an old brick building at 17th and Kansas, just a few blocks from where the Brewery is today. Soon, Minnesota-born Joe Allen joined Kraus in a brewing partnership that would last until the latter's death in 1952.

Joe Allen valiantly and lovingly kept Anchor afloat, but by late 1959, America's—even San Francisco's—new-found "taste" for mass-produced heavily marketed lighter beers had taken its toll on Anchor's already modest sales. In July of that year, at the age of 71, Joe Allen shut Anchor down.