Make your predictions

[beer editor]

As the person who thought Coors Light might beat Alaskan Smoked Porter in the first round last year, I'm the last to be making predictions ... But Lew Bryson has been kind enough to provide commentary and thoughts on early round matchups. (http://www.realbeer.com/battleofthebeers/2003/startyourengines.php) Who do you think will be in the Final Four?

[tjthresh]

Alaska Smoked Porter
Sam Adams
Ommegang
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Smoked Porter and SNPA in the finals

Smoked Porter with the repeat!!!

You can take that the Vegas.

[tavernjef]

Sam Adams? Your crazy. Sierra Nevada PA is a good choice for advancing far. Ommegang? I hope not, I'm unfortunately an Allagash fan. First round upset, I hope.
Alaskan Smoked Ported never had, so no vote from me, although I love the Alaskan Pale. I also have a strong fondness for Bell's, so go Two Hearted.
I predict nothing, drink everything, and hope for my Fav's to go deep.

[Richard English]

Will there be any English Real Ales?

[beer editor]

Richard, you asked: Will there be any English Real Ales?

The real answer is no. This is the Battle of the American Beers, and even when we do imports almost none will be CAMRA defined Real Ales. Next week in Chicago, the Real Ale Festival will feature more real ales than any other festival outside of the U.K. A few will be U.K. beers but most will be American brewed that are cask-conditioned much as they would be in England.

Some of the beers in the tournament are bottle conditioned. Also, some of the breweries invovled will do a few firkins for special accounts, who serve them on gravity or with a handpump. But in the U.S., it is a niche within a niche. Too bad.

Prosit,
Stan

[Richard English]

In that case I nominate my favourite US beer - Goose Island IPA.

It's the only US BCA that is readily available here and I drink it in preference to Anchor Steam (which is not bottle-conditioned, of course.

[bobbylayne]

Moose Drool should advance in The Saloon group but Pete's Wicked Ale may sneak in there. Gordon Biersch Marzen is probably the best in a very poor Tavern bracket. In The Bistro, the second round matchup between Rogue Shakespeare and Anderson Valley Barney Flats should determine the winner of a very tough region. Finally, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale should prevail over Fat Tire in The Pub group. In the championship, I'll take Rogue Shakespeare to defeat Moose Drool. But I must say, how is it that Samuel Smith's Oatmeal Stout didn't make it in the tournament? These should be the best of the best, should they not?

[sierraman]

I love the matchups today beacause I've actually tried 6 of the 8. I imagine a lot of voters have also tried most of these. My predictions for the winners: Shiner, Sam Adams, Anderson Valley, and North Coast. It looks like the Red Seal/Alpha King contest will go down to the wire. I think it would be a real shame to see Red Seal go out so early. It's one of the best offerings from an outstanding brewery. I've been there and enjoyed all their beers. Outstanding! A couple hours away is the Anderson Valley brewery, which in my opinion is the finest in the state of California. So I'm pulling for Barney Flats as well.