Marzen Madness -- The Pairings

[threecb]

Well, the parings are up here (http://www.realbeer.com/battleofthebeers/2004/pairings.php) !

Looks like there's gonna be some real stiff competition! A few are no brainers, but how can one pick between such choices as Ommegang 3 Philosophers and Magic Hat Feast of Fools?!?!

should be fun!

[steveh]

Stan - Why doesn't the Midwest get it's own bracket? Have you seen that we're leading in the number of posts for our region under beer and travel?!

S.

(I honestly don't care, just wanted to be a rabel rouser ;) )

[threecb]

Man, that steveh sure is a rabel rouser!

[beer editor]

Originally posted by steveh
Stan - Why doesn't the Midwest get it's own bracket? Have you seen that we're leading in the number of posts for our region under beer and travel?!

S.

(I honestly don't care, just wanted to be a rabel rouser ;) )

Am I the rabel you are trying to rouse?

I suspect the mountain states and Northwest will likely be asking the same question ;>)

And speaking of Three Philosophers vs. Feast of Fools - that we should have such a choice is a pretty good defense against those who bash American beer culture.

I'm still trying to decide what the most devilish first round pairing is. Perhaps the Bastard vs. Pliny.

Prosit,
Stan

[jlttb]

Woohoo! What a challenge - I only know a half-dozen of these from past experience. Any way to get my hands on more... fast? (Hint to enterprising mail-order beer companies...)

[hops99]

Well, I don't think there's a bad beer in the tournament this year (althoough Yuengling Black and Tan is fringe), and since I'm bored out of my gourd here on a Friday night, here are my picks:

SHOULD WIN:
Northwest - New Belgium Abbey
Southwest - Arrogant Bastard
Midwest - Capital Autumnal Fire
East - Heavyweight Perkuno's Hammer

WILL WIN:
Northwest - Alaskan Smoked Porter
Southwest - SN Celebration
Midwest - Three Floyds Dreadnaught
East - Victory HopDevil

SLEEPERS:
Northwest - Odell 90 Shilling
Southwest - St. Arnold Brown
Midwest - Celis White
East - Penn Dark

Cheers!

[fretlessman71]

Let me say right here and now that I want everyone here to think long and hard about the beer you are voting for. PLEASE don't simply vote for the bigger, hoppier beer of the two. Sometimes with these polls/contests, it's very easy to make it into a strength competition, and amazingly balanced and unique beers that aren't quite as strong (I've got one in mind, but I don't want to tip my hand) get left in the dust. For anyone who's ever enjoyed a Pilsner Urquell, please take this advice to heart... and MAY THE BEST BREW WIN! :D

[steveh]

Originally posted by beer editor
Am I the rabel you are trying to rouse?

Mmm, maybe? ;)

And speaking of Three Philosophers vs. Feast of Fools - that we should have such a choice is a pretty good defense against those who bash American beer culture.

I couldn't agree more - looking over the brackets and contestants is stunning.

And to Fret - I think you've tipped your hand with plenty of frequency that we know who you're stumping for!! ;>)

But I agree with him as well, contemplate the 2 beers that are competing and place your vote on true knowledge, not just emotions. There are quite a few in the brackets that I've never tasted, and I'll be relying on input and info from those that have.

Let the games begin!

S.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by steveh


And to Fret - I think you've tipped your hand with plenty of frequency that we know who you're stumping for!! ;>)



Yep... I'm a sucker for Schafer Light. Beats FFF Dreadnaught every time, IMHO. :D

[CincoCraig]

I think the brackets represent some great choices and some very intriguing matchups. What puzzles me is why some breweries as they are shown in the brackets have a provided link to their websites, but most breweries do not? It would seem that to be fair to all, and to provide easy access to available info about each beer provided by each brewery, that an active link for all brewery websites would be provided in the brackets rather than just for a few of the contestants. Can those other links be added for the other breweries, please?

Let the fun begin!

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Yep... I'm a sucker for Schafer Light.

Your taste is truly discerning.

Though, can you make mine just a plain Shafer? I really don't care about watching the old waistline! :D

[skahtboi]

I have heard some good things in the past about Lost Coast Brewery and their Downtown Brown ale, has anyone here had the opportunity to try it?

[Tweek]

Originally posted by skahtboi
I have heard some good things in the past about Lost Coast Brewery and their Downtown Brown ale, has anyone here had the opportunity to try it?

yeah. its pretty good when had fresh (like most good things I guess).

[Beaver]

This really makes you realize how much beer you haven't had. I've only had 12 of the beers that I can remember.

I obviously need to drink much more! :D

[Tweek]

I agree Beaver. Before I started frequenting this board at least I only had to worry about trying west coast beers. Now I must try them all :D

[tavernjef]

Again, there are some very tough decisions to be made with a few in each bracket. Yet some odd choices too.

Saloon(NW,mountains) -
Hello, no Snake River or Hair of the Dog?
Yet Pyramid Snow Cap (boring) and Redhook IPA ( the worst IPA I've ever had) make it in, huh? Who was nominating those? Deschutes Jubeale over Black Butte (which is their best beer) and yet Left Hand gets the nod with their milk stout which is fairly boring.
Predictions: New Belgium Abbey, Rogue Brutal Bitter, and Alaskan Smoked Porter should go far in this bracket.
Beers tried: 13 of 16

Pub(West/SW) -
Alesmith Speedway Stout vs. Old Raspy, thats a tuffy, flavors and taste goes to Speedway, but drinkability goes to Raspy.
Predictions: hmmm...whom ever gets the nod between those two should go all the way to the 26th finals, I just don't see how anyone would want to pick any of those beers up against either the Speedway or Old Raspy. But whatever beer comes out of the bottom 4 brackets will go far, and those will amount to some tuffy choices too. SN Celebration, Racer 5, and Arrogant Bastard should be one of them. But there could be an upset in there somewhere.
Beers tried: 12 of 16

Bistro (East) -
Shipyard? Yuengling, Sam Adams? Huh? Where's Troeg's, Yard's, and Weyerbacher? Anyways, a couple of tuffies right off the bat -
Three Philosophers vs. Feast of Fools and
Smuttynose Robust Porter vs. Heavyweight Perkuno's Hammer
other probabilities with Allagash, DFH 90 min., and Brooklyn BCS will make for some tuff choices in a few early rounds as well.
Predictions: Since 90 Min. was the big winner last time around that'll probably get through the bracket depending if Brooklyn BCS beats it on the 24th.
Beers tried: 14 of 16

Tavern(Midwest/South) -
Batch 6000 is a limited edition and the only barleywine in the whole tourny(thats just not fair), shouldn't the choices be readily available if not at least seasonal like some others in the tourny?
Really should've had either Two-Hearted or Kalamazoo Stout for the Bell's choice. Then Leinie's and Schell's get in but no Tyranena or Lakefront?
Predictions: That said, its a tuffy between 6000 and Dreadnaught with the winner going all the way through the bracket. Lots of easy choices for me with the exception of GLB Edmund Fitzgerald Porter vs. Summit Great Northern Porter. Don't count out NG Raspberry Tart (strange choice, might as well went with Unplugged Eisbock since 6000 got in) but the Tart should easily meet up with Schlafly in the semi's. But the winner of bracket 28 between 6000 and Dread could possibly win the whole thing given the strong midwest user group on this site.
Beers tried:13 of 16
Total beers: 52 of 64

Let the discussions continue...should be a fun week to see what gets through to the next rounds and next week:cool:

[fretlessman71]

What's going on? I never got an email telling me that I was supposed to vote, and I can't even find the place where I'm supposed to sign up if I'm NOT already signed up. HELP!!!

[steveh]

Relax, my friend - deep breath - go here:
http://www.realbeer.com/battleofthebeers/index.php Scroll to the bottom, select your first category, cast you ballot, then select from the categories to the right of the page. Have at it! :)

S.

PS - there's a direct link on the Realbeer.com home page as well.