Saturday, March 15, 2008

Local Beer Madness

The 2nd round of the Washington Post's Beer Madness has been announced: 32 beers winnowed down to a sweet 16.

Out of 8 local beers—those from Baltimore, D.C., and Virginia (and stretching to Delaware)—5 were carried forward.

One match-up was plainly unfair: Dominion's Pale Ale versus Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA. The latter entrant, more flavorful, easily won. A contest between Dominion Pale Ale and Dogfish Shelter Pale Ale would have made more sense. And, as both beers were from local breweries, the pairing was preordained to knock out a local entrant.

One local beer was a sentimental choice, and, really a ringer. National Bohemian, once the choice of 3 out of 4 beer-drinkers in Baltimore, is no longer brewed there, but by the international brewing conglomerate SAB/Miller.

So, this is not really a serious competition, even though I'm certain the judges are doing so conscientiously. As Joe Heim—editor of the Post's Sunday Source— said:

And, really people, shouldn't beer drinking be fun?

The local beers, still standing, are, in no particular order:
  • Flying Dog Old Scratch
  • Raven Lager
  • Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA
  • Oxford Raspberry Wheat
  • Hook and Ladder Backdraft Brown


[UPDATE: 2008.03.22: Elite 8 announced.

1 comment:

  1. I had OD Pale Ale when it first appeared at the beer store, and my recollection was that it was darn good, and that it tasted like good fresh should taste; it was noticeably hoppier than OD Ale, but very well balanced.

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