Here we are, in the finals! Let’s jump right in with the SweetWater IPA, a beer that I have enjoyed all along, that a local pub near me just got on tap and basically cemented my business now, and a beer that I feel represented our blue-collar drinkers today. This beer is the ultimate bar beer as far as this tournament is concerned, its going to pair well with your greasy fried food, but it somehow also pairs well with grill food that isn’t overly greasy too. Equally as amazing is that this beer is packed full of flavor, so it stands well on its own. It was obviously the best IPA that we’ve had and that is saying something given the breadth of competition we had, and it has made it farther than any IPA has thus far, giving you an idea of how great this beer is. I don’t know if I would call this beer “classic” because it’s too down-to-earth for that. What SweetWater has done is made a bar beer, a party beer, a daily drinker; basically just a beer that you can enjoy any time any where and love it. This is the beer to have when you’re hanging out with your buddies or shooting pool, an uncommonly common IPA.

Like I said, we can’t get more different for two beers today. Here is a brew with an equally impressive resume, edging out our best Porter and  Bronze Medal Founder’s Porter as well as winning the European-style division and crushing the second-best beer from the same brewery, I must be talking about the Allagash Tripel. Where I wouldn’t call the SweetWater “classic” because it is too blue-collar, rich and classic are perfect words to describe the depth and fantastic flavor that the Allagash brings to the table. It’s a tough beer to call in a tournament like this because the seasoned quaffers will be able to enjoy and love the complexity of this beer, yet some newbies may be intimidated. I always hate to skew this tournament as to whom will like which beer, because I don’t know what everyone thinks, which is why this beer is here and has a shot at winning the whole thing. For newcomers, this is a great beer to step up your flavor sensing to the next level, because the flavors are very organic and easy to handle (versus some of the complex fruits of say, the Founder’s) so you get the richer flavors without the liquor or bitter notes that come with some other strong brews. Who will take home the gold? The down-to-earth and anytime deliciousness of SweetWater or the high-profile stylish Allagash Tripel? Your votes make the call and we can’t wait to see how it plays out!

UPDATE: Click Here for Match Results!