The Vermont Brew Bracket: Close Results and Upsets in Round 2
The second round of the Vermont Brew Bracket is over, ending in some shockingly close matchups — and a few blowouts, too.
First, the close ones: In a victory for hop-heads, Lawson's Finest Liquids Double Sunshine IPA defeated top-seeded Magic Hat #9 by just 22 votes. What an upset!
In an even closer matchup, Shed Mountain Ale took down Wolaver's Oatmeal Stout by a mere 5 votes. And Trout River Rainbow Red beat Rock Art Vermonster by 41 votes.
Hill Farmstead Edward, Switchback Ale, the Alchemist Heady Topper and Long Trail Ale all won their matchups by more comfortable margins.
The big winner of the round was, once again, Woodchuck Amber Cider, who blew out Otter Creek Copper Ale. The number of votes in that pairing was nearly twice as many as any other in the round. (Two things to say about that. First, to other brewers: Woodchuck is winning big thanks to lots of promo on its Facebook and Twitter pages — push this to your social-media fans, or Woodchuck will win this thing handily. Second, to Woodchuck fans: You can vote for Woodchuck AND vote in the other matchups! But maybe not if you've got a gluten allergy.) Woodchuck's social-media juggernaut faces its toughest challenge yet in the next round: the Alchemist Heady Topper.
Now we're on to the regional finals — the Heady Eight. The winners from this round will move on to the prestigious Final Pour, so choose wisely. Voting for this round closes Tuesday night at midnight. Click here to cast your votes.
