Before 1920 San Francisco had a strong beer culture. Like many places elsewhere in the country, the Golden Gate City saw its thriving brewing tradition crippled by Prohibition. The resurgence of craft beer in the late 80s and early 90s proved the beer loving culture is alive and well as breweries popped up in this scenic city.
The San Francisco Brewer’s Guild, whose members include the eight breweries in the city, was created to ensure craft beer continues to prosper. Brews on the Bay is the Guild’s annual celebration of San Francisco beer. Beer lovers from far and wide gathered on the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien to sample the best of the eight Guild Breweries. Of course the Hapa’s crew was there to take it all in.
The walk up to the ship is impressive. The S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien is a fully functioning Liberty ship that served the U.S Navy in WWII. It looks like it could still kick some serious butt.
S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien
Our first stop was Magnolia Pub and Brewery’s station where we sampled the Blue Bell Bitter. Notes of black tea, fresh hay, sweet malt, and a slight nuttiness were prevalent. A sip revealed strong malt notes with caramel and a slight smokiness.
Some of Magnolia’s menu
Next we stopped by to say ‘hi’ to our friends at Thirsty Bear where we sampled pretty much everything they were pouring, all of which were delicious. We made our way to Social Kitchen and Brewery’s pouring table where we had their Old Time Alt. It was peppery and grassy in the nose, aromas that were mirrored in the taste along with roasted nuts and hints of fresh lettuce.
Thirsty Bear’s Brenden Dobel A couple of Social Kitchen’s Beers
We then sampled Speakeasy Ales and Lagers’ Dolores Pale Ale (a limited release) and Beach Chalet Brewery and Restaurant’s Flieshhacker Stout. Our last stop was 21st Amendment Brewery’s station where we indulged in their Back in Black Black IPA. Their take on the Black IPA was maltier than expected in the nose with some citrus and a hint of roasted grains. Citrus was prominent in the taste as was a caramel maltiness with a burnt toast finish.
Speakeasy’s beer list 21st Amendment’s Back in Black
The beer flowed freely at this great event and we got brush shoulders with the beer lovers and beer makers of San Francisco. A can’t miss event for beer fans of the Bay Area.