Epic Portions

Tag: budweiser american ale

  • Beer Madness, Final Four and Championship!

    We have arrived at the end.  After three weeks of intense competition, lobbying by beer lovers from across the globe (I don’t care if you are mad at me China, Tsingtao still sucks), and what my doctor described as “a liver Mickey Mantle would be proud of”…WE HAVE A CHAMPION!  First, the final four results.

     

    Final Four:

    (5) Hoegaarden over (3) Budweiser American Ale

    I know I said upsets were possible, but did anyone really think Bud American Ale could defeat Hoegaarden?  Having said that, American Ale is a pretty solid brew.  AB/InBev needs begin to promote this beer as their “flagship.”  They can be proud of it, and it would help to elevate their status in the beer world.  Until then, most people will associate Budweiser products with swill.  Considering the quality of American Ale that is a shame.  If you haven’t tried it, we are only talking about anywhere from $7-$8 for a six pack.  Give it a shot…

    (3) Anchor Steam over (4) Negra Modelo

    My new found love of Modelo Dark plus lime cannot defeat the smooth, hoppy flavor of Anchor Steam.  While it may have been unexpected to see Anchor Steam survive the American Microbrew (aka the group of death) bracket, it isn’t implausible.  Anchor is a fine beer and a credit to its San Francisco brewers.

    Setting up the glorious championship, which was fought last night while watching Butler defeat Michigan State.

    Championship:

     

    (5) Hoegaarden over (3) Anchor Steam

    Our regular readers knew of my love for Hoegaarden from previous posts, but I honestly thought it would run into trouble late in the European bracket, especially considering the strength of competition.  The true Belgian White, Hoegaarden combines the classic combination of orange peel and coriander to create a magical concoction.  They even recommend a special hexagon glass to drink it out of, which I keep under lock and key in a refrigerated hexagonal beer glass cabinet. 

    Behold…the hexagonal glass!

    Anchor Steam was a worthy runner-up, a true American Microbrew that is a pleasure to drink year round, but the flavor of Hoegaarden was too much for Anchor to overcome.

    Final Notes:

    Obviously, this was a highly subjective competition.  How do you compare a Belgian White to a Pale Ale?  Brown Ale vs. Pilsner?  The honest answer it that you just have to trust whatever tastes best at that moment.  I could run this bracket again in six months and have different results.  The main objective was to enjoy the beer and perhaps learn a few things in the process.  In that sense, mission accomplished.

    A special thank you goes out to John for helping decide a decisive Mexican battle, J & K from Ypsi for an enjoyable night of drinking and their honest feedback (Bell’s Amber vs. Anchor was tough but fun), and my wife for helping on championship night.

    My guess is that next spring I will pursue a different challenge.  Breakfast cereals, salty snacks, who knows.  I need to recover from this one before I start to worry about next year.  I sincerely hoped that EP readers enjoyed this year’s beer tourney.  Happy drinking and, please Butler…BEAT DUKE!

  • Beer Madness, Elite Eight

    We started out with 64, and now there are only eight beers left.  The empties of the first 56 are strewn about like leftovers from a house party, except at this house party the guests brought Natty Light and Boddingtons.  For those of you who have expressed concern about the condition of my liver, I’m happy to report that my health plan with Epic Portions allows one trip to the Mayo Clinic every year.  I’ll be there as soon as this is over for a little R and R, and to take some time off beer.  Only whiskey for one week straight.  Woo-hoo!

    American Macrobrew:

    (1) Blue Moon over (4) Coors Banquet

    Who ever thought Coors would make it this far?  Wins over High Life, Bud Light and Coors so far for Blue Moon.  What happens when it has to take on a real beer?

    (3) Budweiser American Ale over (10) Rolling Rock

    And so the run ends for Rolling Rock; just like Coors it did well to make it this far.  Bud’s American Ale has the distinct advantage of actually tasting like beer.

    So, for the championship of the American Macrobrew category, we have:

    (1) Blue Moon vs. (3) Budweiser American Ale

    Analysis:

    It has taken awhile but we have whittled this group down to two pretty decent beers.  Blue Moon’s faux Belgian style versus Budweiser’s attempt at creating a real beer.  Try this one at home, dear readers, you might be pleasantly surprised.

    European:

    Vítězství Pilsner Urquell!!

    (5) Hoegaarden over (1) Newcastle Brown Ale

    Newcastle is a great beer, no question.  But to survive this group, you’ve got to bring something special, and Hoegaarden has that in spades.  The hint of coriander puts it over the top.

    (2) Pilsner Urquell over (6) Bass Ale

    The original pilsner over a pale ale?  I usually love pale ales, but the smooth finish of Pilsner Urquell makes it a truly special beer.

    Setting up an amazing championship battle for the European bracket:

    (2) Pilsner Urquell vs. (5) Hoegaarden

    Analysis:

    What can I say?  This one is wide open, but there is no loser here, to be certain.  Czech Republic vs. Belgium for the European championship.  Forget UEFA, I can honestly say without hyperbole that this is the greatest matchup in European history.

    American Microbrew:

    (9) Red Hook Long Hammer IPA over (5) Sam Adams Winter Lager

    The hoppy punch of Red Hook outduels the flavorful Winter Lager.  Sam is gone from the competition, but not after a solid showing.

    (3) Anchor Steam over (7) Bell’s Amber

    After ousting some really amazing beers, Bell’s Amber bows out to Anchor in a razor close battle that went into overtime.

    The great American Microbrew category closes with mad hops:

    (3) Anchor Steam vs. (9) Red Hook Long Hammer IPA

    Analysis:

    West coast, baby, this is NWA versus Tupac.  The smooth flavor of Anchor Steam battles the citrus hops of Red Hook’s IPA.

    International Macrobrew:

    (4) Negra Modelo over (1) Red Stripe

    Red Stripe is a nice light lager but loses out to a more flavorful beer.  Overall popularity be damned, Modelo Dark is just a better beer.

    (6) Dos Equis over (7) Moosehead Lager

    Moosehead falls short against Dos Equis, not even watching a hockey game while drinking it could save the Canadian Lager.

    International Macrobrew comes down to an all Mexico battle:

    (4) Negra Modelo vs. (6) Dos Equis

    Wow…this will be fun and must be fought over a glorious, authentic Mexican meal.  Sounds like a trip to La Fuente or Los Amigos is in order for this battle.

    We are now on the cusp of the final four, the winners of each category will be anxious to take each other on.  Results will be ready early next week.