Wet Weather for Brews on the Bay Didn't Keep Beer Lovers from Getting Soused

M. Ladd

Sunday's clouds didn't douse beer aficionados' zeal for getting hammered.

​This weekend's sixth annual Brews on the Bay -- held on the water, aboard the historic WWII Liberty Ship S.S. Jeremiah O'Brien -- left us feeling tipsy and happy, contemplating good beer and great views. Participating breweries for the two-day event included Thirsty Bear, Magnolia, Gordon Biersch, San Francisco Brewing Company, Speakeasy, and 21st Amendment. Watermelon, IPA, kolsch, märzen, and other varieties were on tap. Oola fans seemed pleased with the Rib Shack's offerings of ribs, fries, and hearty veggie and chicken sandwiches.

M. Ladd

What's beer without fried stuff?

​Luring locals to Pier 45, which the city has pretty much ceded to tourists, may have seemed a dicey venture, but the bribe of high quality, handcrafted brews seemed to work. On Sunday, the ship appeared to be nearly full with beer-swigging crowds.

The first sign that this wasn't your usual beer event was seeing the liability waiver each attendee had to sign before boarding. Throughout the afternoon, the ship swayed gently back and forth, and chances of injury were everywhere: Spilled beer and rain dampened floors, a wobbly entrance staircase, and ladders leading guests higher and higher on the ship. Organizers yelled at a handful of guests for jumping on some stairs -- we watched to see who would fall to their death or otherwise suffer major injury, but everyone exited safely. Then there were the gals who decided to wear oh-so-fashionable but dangerous high-heeled boots -- cute but silly. It was particularly nice to get called out by more than one brew babe, "Empty glass! Empty glass!" The ladies would then offer a prompt refill to our 8-ounce plastic beer cups. All in all, a very tasty afternoon. And no one died.