Maytag, Fritz (b. 1937), was among the first pioneers of the modern American craft brewing movement. In the summer of 1965, 28-year-old Maytag, an Iowan liberal arts Stanford graduate and great-grandson of the founder of the famed appliance company, often lunched at the Old Spaghetti Factory in North Beach, San Francisco, where he discovered that the brewer of his favorite beer, Anchor Steam, was about to go “belly up.” See anchor brewing company. On venturing to the brewery and finding a facility that was, in Maytag’s own words, “medieval,” he nonetheless became enchanted and purchased 51% of the business on September 24, 1965. In 1969 he became the sole owner and proceeded to reinvigorate the company and its flagship brand. He started bottling the beer and launched a series of new beer brands, notably Anchor Porter, Liberty Ale, and Old Foghorn. He also produced the first of his celebrated Christmas ales, which differ every year and have closely guarded recipes. The brewery moved in 1977 to an erstwhile coffee roastery on Potrero Hill.

Maytag founded the Anchor Distilling Company in 1993, whose products include the single-malt rye whiskey Old Potrero and Junipero Gin. He owns the York Creek vineyards, having developed an interest in wine during his time doing humanitarian work in Chile. To all of these he brings the same philosophy of quality and a spirit of helping others.

In May 2010 Fritz Maytag sold the Anchor Brewing Company to The Griffin Group.