Bill Brand, 70, R.I.P.

Today Bill Brand passed away after nearly two weeks in a coma. A retired journalist, Bill continued blogging about beer at What's On Tap? Instead of waking up on Monday, Feb 9, to read his blog about the beer dinner I'd attended with him the night before, I heard the tragic news that he'd been hit by a MUNI train on his way home. It was just the third night of SF Beer Week, and the tragedy cast a gloom over the remaining events. Jay Brooks initiated a nightly toast to Bill's recovery. The fact that he held on through the end of the festival makes me think those 7 p.m. toasts were received.

Tonight, one final 7 p.m. hoist. There's a fun, traditional polka song called "In Heaven There is no Beer" about living each day to the fullest. The only thing is, in Bill's case, they got the title wrong. Here's to an eternity of your favorite suds flowing from a bottomless tap.

(Taken from Bill's Facebook page)