The annual
Brews on the Bay celebration of local beer, held by the San Francisco Brewers
Guild, has in 10 years risen to the short list of the most enjoyable
only-in-San Francisco parties.
Held this year on Saturday, Oct. 19, Brews on
the Bay combines some of the best aspects of San Francisco: the most pleasant
mid-October weather; postcard-worthy vistas of the bay, the Golden Gate and Bay
bridges,
Good beer, good people, great weather, an outstanding venue, and good-time
music again proved an unbeatable combination.
A total of 16 breweries poured
scores of beers for some 1,500 partiers and volunteers on the ship.
Onboard for
the first time were Cellarmaker, which opened its doors a couple of weeks ago
on Folsom Street, and newcomers Pine Street and Headlands Brewing. Cellarmaker
made a puckerish splash with its Petit Sour with Peach and a very respectable
porter.
The Brothers Comatose were also making their maiden “voyage” on the
historic vessel docked at Pier 45. “It’s the first time we’ve ever played on a
ship,” observed guitarist and vocalist Ben Morrison, just as the ship rocked a
bit from the wake of a departing ferry boat. Morrison previously worked at
Thirsty Bear Brewing.
Many beers stood out, but Almanac’s new seasonal, Golden
Gate Gose, was in a class by itself. Keep an eye out for that one. Also
outstanding was Social Kitchen’s New World Lager, made with New Zealand
hops.
Special congratulations go out to the San Francisco Brewers Guild and
Executive Director Brian Stechschulte and the volunteers, who seem to top
themselves every year; the security personnel that maintained order under
sometimes trying circumstances; and the volunteers from the S.S. Jeremiah
O’Brien, who didn’t seem in the least put out sharing their amazing ship with
all of us beer lovers.
