Monday, February 09, 2009

SF/Oakland Beer Writer Bill Brand struck by train

William BrandBill Brand passed away early Friday morning, 20 February 2009.

William Brand, past longtime reporter for the Oakland Tribune, and current beer columnist/blogger at Bottoms Up, lies in a coma today after being struck by a train.

Since last week, he has been reporting on San Francisco Beer Week, his local pride evident, including breaking this news from Anchor Brewery:

Anchor unveiled a new beer and it’s a stunner.

Meet Anchor Our Barrel Beer. It’s 8.02 percent, aged six months in charred oak barrels that had been used to age Anchor Old Potrero Straight Rye Whisky. They only have about 100 cases of magnum –50. 7 ounce - bottles 12 bottles to the case. No kegs; no 12 ouncers.

Blogger Jay Brooks at Brookston Beer Bulletin has asked for a nationwide toast to Bill tonight at 7pm (PST) for a speedy and full recovery.

We’ll be drinking a beer for you tonight, Bill. All of us would rather be drinking one with you. Recover soon.

UPDATE 2009.02.10 from Brookston Beer Bulletin:
Brand had surgery to relieve brain pressure, broken bone in his neck but no others. Lungs struggling; still critical, but stable.

1 comment:

  1. My God! Bill and I have exchanged e-mails and telephone calls for the last few years. He's always been fair with me and the reviewing of my books.

    I know he had some heart problems a few years back but pulled out of any lon term problems quickly. Such a shame...

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