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.