Brackets must be submitted prior to contest no later than close of business July 30.
Download your brackets here or pick one up at the Basement Bar.
Chosen for: Quality, regional representation & ongoing availability for subsequent rounds of competition.
Many great beers were not included.
Seeding: For initial seeding & bracket
set-up, beers were drawn at random.
Advancing: Two beers will be tapped at the same time. The first empty keg advances. As soon as the second keg blows a new pair will be tapped.
Participation: You may enter once prior to first tapping on August 1. Entry is free. Entrants must supply valid email address to participate & will be notified of contest updates via email. Enter at Venti’s Cafe + Basement Bar during business hours.
Winners: A winner will have selected the last IPA standing out of the original 8. All winners get a free beer glass. Winners will be notified via email. Special “Perfect Bracket Prize” for
anyone who picks all the winners.
Some of you may have noticed that this year’s contest is only half the size of and last year’s. While last year’s field of sixteen was amazing and the sheer number of contestants really added some fun, it also made for several tough logistical problems, not the least of which was our ability to get each of the winning beers that were advancing again. Some of these beers are simply not available all the time we needed them. Last year we even had to “scratch” a beer because of availability and one beer had to be personally picked up in Washington-that’s both expensive and time consuming. As a matter of fact consistent availability is exactly the reason why you won’t see some of our other favorites here like Green Flash West Coast IPA and Laurelwood Workhorse IPA. In order to avoid these problems we were forced to select the field from some of the more readily available craft brews.
In terms of size, sixteen initial contenders was also a huge amount of beer to store in our little dungeon at one time. A compromise has been attempted this year to still have the contest on a smaller scale. We understand that it’s flawed, but it’s supposed to be fun. It’s definitely not a GABF medal.
As always, we did the contest as a blind taste off. This is done to prevent “homerism”. We love the Oregon beers big time, but it’s unfair to tell our judges which is which. Last year’s local favorite was knocked out in the first round. So, we hope this attempt at unbiased testing will reveal the true quality of the products.
8-6-12 Update-Our first contest is over. Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA, which was in slot #1 won! These kegs are the same size, both 50L . It must have been close because the Hopworks IPA went out shortly afterward. This doesn’t surprise me as they’re both great beers.
Now round two has begun. Lagunitas vs. New Belgium. You are the judges.