Cheers! Beers!

I've always known that you can purchase beer on the ferry. I've never tried it, until now.

I was impressed with the selection. I found the standard set of domestic cans: Budweiser, Miller Light, but there were plenty of bottles as well. Among them were Coronas, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale pressed against the glass. I think I also saw a Magic Hat hiding in there. Oh, Hey! Microbrews on the ferry!

Then came the dilemma. These guys are handing out hot pretzels, cookies, and cans of beer... so they aren't technically bartenders. Do I tip? I ask they guy who handed me the beer if he takes tips, and he said yes (duh), so I handed him a dollar.

I couldn't decide where to drink my beer. I'm more of a social drinker, so it felt a little weird to sit by myself, but I didn't see anyone I knew sitting around. I headed to my favorite peaceful spot, the main deck.

As I walked through the ferry, I noticed several other beer drinkers. They seemed to be in on some secret enlightenment: all of them happier and a little less distracted than the rest of us commuters. I spotted a young man drinking a super-sized Bud, with an empty seat next to him. Taking a chance with an uncharacteristically ballsy move, I asked if I could join him.

His name was Ron, and he works for a construction company, moving and setting up corporate offices for companies such as JP Morgan and Coach. I bet there's a whole lot of construction going on in the Bear Stearns and Lehman buildings with JP Morgan and Barclays moving in. Overall, a great first beer experience on the ferry. It's a community, really, and now I'm a part. Cheers!