The last two match-ups both involve the North-East region. The first is the #1 seed Sam Adam's Noble Pils, a lager Brewed with five different hops. You all know where it's from, but the competition is a bit more obscure. The #8 seed from Middlebury, Vermont is Otter Creek Spring Ale, A German kolsch style ale. The palate cleanser will be, tacos. The pils is a fairly clear gold, while the kolsch is a slightly cloudy pale gold. The Noble Pils has all kind of bold hop nose you can really distinguish a few different hops. The Spring Ale has quite the yeasty nose with a bit of citrus. Tasting the Noble Pils brings a cavalcade of hops, up front, in the middle, on the finish and everywhere else. Shell, Meat, cheese, lettuce, etc, chomp. The Spring Ale is smooth and crisp, light on the hop with a honey, floral flavor. Tacos nice and crunchy.
Let's go head to head with these two contenders.
I really thought the Noble pils was a bit too much. That much hop needs more to balance it out, but it does kind of grow on you. There are at least a bunch of different hop flavors, rather than one overwhelming hop wall, like other hop monsters. The Spring Ale is a really easy drinking beer with nice flavors. It's good, but one sip is just like any other. The Sam Adam's may escape with this one, but just barely. The Pils is just not balanced , but it has just enough intrigue to take it past this kolsch. I can't see how this pils is gonna get very far, it did not deserve this high a seed. This Spring Ale is worth a look if you like kolsch style beers. Noble Pils moves on to the second round to face the surprise #6 seed Garde Dog.
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