Those crazy S.O.B's did it again! Two years in a row they managed to ruin my plans for a Saturday night.

Last year it took me by surprise, but this year I thought I had properly prepared.

I trained for three straight nights. Ate a large dinner the night before. Got plenty of sleep. Ate breakfast. But by mid-afternoon I still found myself stumbling around Riverside Park, mumbling something about those S.O.B's.

I'm sure it was a flattering statement somewhere between anger and envy, but as my exact recollections of the annual Brews & Blues event still are a bit hazy, the only thing I'm sure of is it had to the fault of the Society of Oshkosh Brewers, or as they are appropriately dubbed S.O.B's.

For the uninitiated Brews and Blues is an annual fund-raiser sponsored by the Oshkosh Jaycees. The second Saturday in July they transform Riverside Park into the greatest pub Oshkosh has ever known.

This year more than 100 varieties of beer graced the event, and proudly there wasn't a Miller, Bud, or a Lite among them. For a $20 ticket, which proceeds are donated to area charities (this year the primary beneficiary was Christine Anne Domestic Abuse Services) patrons receive a commemorative pint glass,

which they use to sample.

Patrons are treated to live music, this year by the Chris Aaron and Dave Steffen bands.

The combination of bright sunshine, a waterside venue, great music and an unlimited supply of beer makes for a perfect afternoon. But when you throw in a selection of homemade beers, wines and meads from the S.O.B.'s then your evening tends to turn ugly.

Last year I made the mistake of spending too much time with Mr. Mead and Ms. "high-potency" homebrew. This year I vowed to save those special treats for the end.

I started with a selection of dark beers including the South Side Nut Brown and a Java Stout, made to taste like coffee.

Then I moved into the lighter beers - a selection of pale ales, ambers and Belgiums including the eventual "Chief of Beers" Tyranena's Bitter Woman IPA.

Eventually I found my way to that corner table where those suspiciously-friendly S.O.B.'s made their home.

"What would you like?"

"What do you recommend?" I retorted.

"You've got to try the one I made. ...It's a Belgium, very high in alcohol," he said. "Enjoy!"

Enjoying it was the easy part, getting away from those S.O.B's was the tough part.

"If you like that you have to try mine," said another voice.

About three drinks in, I realized it was happening again. I was about to indirectly cancel my plans for Saturday evening.

"Try some Mead"
"And this tomato wine"
"It's all good stuff."

Next thing I knew I was laying on my couch watching a re-run of Saturday Night Live.

Still clutching my program from Brews and Blues, I knew I hadn't dreamed up the perfect afternoon of beer and music, but as my head pounded in a rhythmic beat of "S...O...B...S...O...B..." I also knew I'd been had once again by those brewers.

I may have to wait until July 10, 2004 to get my revenge, but I know the perfect way - drink soda.

Jeff Potts writes the "Around Town" column in the Oshkosh Northwestern's NOW Entertainment Guide, a weekly guide to activities and events in the Oshkosh area published on Thursdays. He is also, obviously, a beer enthusiast.

Brews & Blues makes the perfect Afternoon