establishment. It was a balmy Friday night as people shuffled in to the warehouse-cum-watering hole for a final taste of summer — and a first taste of October Madness.

You didn’t need a password to get into this speakeasy, the name for illegally operated underground bars that persevered throughout Prohibition in the 1920s. Speakeasy, in San Francisco’s Bayview District, opened in 1997, and since then has become known for its Prohibition Ale and Big Daddy IPA, the two beers submitted for the opening-round event of October Madness.

Prohibition Ale — named so for the infamous 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, passed in 1919 — is an American-style amber ale (6.1 percent alcohol) categorized as “boldly hopped,” and fans at Speakeasy agreed. “I’m not a fan of bitter beer,” said one voter, “and this flavor was well-balanced.” Another one commented, “It had a fuller mouth feel and was rounder on the finish. Nice residual flavors.”

Big Daddy IPA, an India pale ale that’s no “lightweight,” features German malts and is a bit stronger than Prohibition at 6.5 percent alcohol. Introduced in March 1998, it’s one of the brewery’s long-lasting staples, along with the flagship Prohibition Ale (July 1997). As the night went on, it become clear that Big Daddy had a faithful following. “When Big Daddy first came out, I was so impressed I thought about becoming a salesperson,” said one fan. “The only thing that stopped me was a lack of previous sales experience.” Others found it “very hoppy and flavorful,” as well as “smooth on the palate” and “savory yet complex.”

In the end, it was Big Daddy IPA that sneaked out a razor-thin, one-vote victory from the patrons at Speakeasy, and October Madness was officially under way. Big Daddy now moves on to the Sweet 16 to face another top-notch brew in its hunt for the title of Most Wired Beer.

Stay tuned to @wiredplaybook for updates on attending future October Madness events in the Bay Area.

Photo: Erik Malinowski

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Authors: Erik Malinowski

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