Hard to believe we are finally here, the time to pick the Fermented Four brews and the chance for someone to hoist the coveted Brewlimination Championship plaque is upon us!
Today we have two very stellar brews, starting with the Terrapin Rye Pale Ale, a beer I didn’t vote for despite giving a very solid review. I called this brew “the most consistent beer in the tournament”, what more do you need to want to vote for this one? This beer is very basic and a perfect example of what a rye ale should be: spicy hops tempered with a carbonation to smooth out the spiciness, and a sweet caramel flavor that really takes this beer to the next level. This beer may not boast 50 hop flavors and 20 malt flavors but it doesn’t need to. The folks at Terrapin have found the formula for a superb rye ale and they don’t dress it up, they just give the drinker what they want which is to be commended.

In the other glass is a beer that just keeps rolling on, bad pun intended, the Boulder Hazed & Infused. I could fill the page up with links to its sweeps, and sweeps, and strong fan turnout, but I will let my remarks speak for themselves. Where the Terrapin uses carbonated smoothness, the Boulder uses doughy yeast to create an earthy smoothness that brings out the hops a little more but that works well with this brew. The citrus spices are different from the typical spice rack spices and have more of a lemon-wine sauce flavor to them. Combine that with just the faintest hint of malt flavors that give the beer a slight taste of plain beer and sweetness to the spice and you have a beer that is tough to match.

I apologize ahead of time for our shorter reviews this week as we try to be impartial and just give our comments, allowing you to make your own vote. If I rattle on and on it would eventually just turn into cheering and rallying so I will keep these reviews brief. Thanks for stopping by our little corner of the ‘net, hope you enjoy it!

UPDATE: Click Here for Match Results!