The ACC Tourney, of Beer: The Finals, Duke vs North Carolina

      How chalk can you get the #1 and #2 seeds.  They were both real good though.  NC ( Duck Rabbit Amber ) and Duke ( Highland Gaelic Ale ) now go head to head in the all North Carolina finals.  Duke comes out strong with rich flavors and a big jammy body.  Carolina comes out a bit off, but they seem to get better late.  But Duke is really hitting on all cylinders and their making their threes.  The Heels are too long, strong and quick to stay down forever.  And they are starting to make a run late in the game.  Duke's still up a few late, but this is coming down to the last sip.  Boy Duke is delicious, but Carolina is divine.  Another last second comeback for Carolina to win The ACC Tourney, of Beer.

Analysis and Recap:  Duck Rabbit Amber has this magical ability to get better as you drink it.  It's really good, although the Gaelic Ale is a worthy challenger.  How I would rank the eight beers in the Tourney.

1. Duck Rabbit Amber
2. Highland Gaelic Ale
3. RJ Rockers Bell Ringer
4. Landshark Lager
5. Saint George Golden Ale
6. Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber
7. Starr Hill Amber
8. Sam Adam's Boston Lager

      To wrap up the Tourney I will compose a Haiku to celebrate Duck Rabbit's victory.

                   Duck Rabbit Amber
                   Swirling Flavors of Delight
                   Champion of Beer

      Next it's Selection Sunday for the Spring Beer Tourney.

The ACC Tourney, of Beer: # 1 North Carolina vs # 5 Clemson

      Top seed Carolina ( Duck Rabbit Amber )  faces off against a surprisingly good Clemson ( RJ Rockers Bell Ringer Ale ).  Carolina comes out strong on the flavor, but perhaps a little weak on the body.  That's where Clemson shines with a thick body, and good flavors.  The Heels flavor really holds up well against Clemson's. This is gonna be very close, but Clemson is jumping out to a slight lead.  Still holding the lead late this is gonna come down to the last shot, literally.  Carolina hits a three at the buzzer for the late game winner.

Analysis:  I really thought the Bell Ringer was better almost the whole time, but DR Amber gets better and better.  I swear the last sip was 10 times better than the first.

The ACC Tourney, of Beer: # 2 Duke vs # 3 FSU

      I thought BC ( Boston Lager )would actually crush FSU ( Landshark ) but I was real wrong.  I also have trouble believing they can compete with a power like Duke ( Highland Gaelic Ale ), but we'll see.  Duke is very yummy with lovely flavors, excellent balance, depth and body.  FSU has some game too  though, it's so crisp, clean and refreshing. A classic lager.  Compared to FSU, Duke maybe seems a tad muddy?  Anyway Duke's still out front here, but FSU makes a small run.  It's close late so what is the last sip like.  FSU good, Duke better.  This sis a win for the Blue Devils.

Analysis:  I actually felt the Landshark for a while there, but the Gaelic Ale was just too good in the end.

ACC Beer Tourney: Second Round

      The second round features match ups between the #2 seed Duke and the #3 seed FSU.  Also, top seeded North Carolina versus the #5 seed Clemson.  It's been mostly chalk, but that's why they get the better seeds.  The Spring Beer Tourney is much more wide open.

ACC Beer Tourney: # 2 Duke vs # 7 Maryland

      Duke's representative is Ashville NC's Highland Gaelic Ale.  Maryland has Frederick MD's,  Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber.  Duke is a cloudy Amber with a very fruity sweet caramel nose.  Maryland is a classic amber with a citrus caramel nose.  Duke comes out strong with big flavors of caramel, grape, herb and dried fruit with tingly hop throughout.  The Terps have some big flavors too with caramel, mocha and herb.  Pretty hoppy for an amber.  Duke has got some strong body, they should be able to clean the glass on both ends. But, Maryland has got the stuff to keep in this with their shooters.  It looks like Duke's size and strength is getting to be too much for The Terps.  When it comes down to it Maryland is a little off, not as balanced as The Blue Devils.  Duke holds on against a pesky opponent, but reigns victorious.

Analysis:  The Gaelic Ale is pretty good it 's like a slightly lighter Scotch Ale, but full of flavor.  Old Scratch is a good amber, but there are better out there.

ACC Beer Tourney: # 3 Florida State vs # 6 Boston Colledge

      Landshark Lager will be # 3 Florida State and Sam Adams Boston Lager will be # 6 Boston College.  FSU is very crisp and refreshing with nice caramel and citrus.  BC has caramel, a hint of mocha and a surprising herbal hop presence.  FSU jumps out early spotting up and hitting jumpers, this stuff really hits the spot.  BC, however, does not seem to be on their game early on here.  Just kind of average.  Maybe BC can get in rhythm. FSU is real refreshing, and there's no flaws in their game today.  BC is just a little off, FSU is just so clean.  FSU is just on cruise control, and this is a dominating win for them.

Analysis: This was a bit of a shock, Iv'e had Landshark before, see here, and wasn't impressed.  I thought Boston Lager would crush, but the Landshark was so clean and refreshing.  The Sam's was just not as good.  Looking back at my first review of Landshark I mentioned a mold smell.  I'm thinking that was a bad bottle.  Better do another look at it this summer.

The ACC Tourney, of Beer

      Well, March is the month that brings us the amazing Spring Beer Tourney, and another lesser known basketball tournament.  But, I just realized there's still more than a week till Selection Sunday.  So what shall I do?  Well this is ACC Country so it's the ACC Tourney, of beer.  I'm taking what I think are the top 8 teams in the ACC.  Here's who I will eliminate and why.  Wake Forest is the worst team in ACC history, they would get bounced in the first round of the Women's Tourney.  NC State blows and there's to many NC teams.  Georgia Tech sucks and and their rascists.  Last man out, The U, Fuck The U.  That leaves us with the top eight and here's how I see them finishing.

1. North Carolina
2. Duke
3. Florida State
4. Virginia Tech
5. Clemson
6. Boston College
7. Maryland
8. Virginia

      Your thinking, why doesn't he wait till the seeding is final?  Because there are only so many beers you can objectively try in one day.  Sure, I can drink ten, but I can only comment on the first few.  So, here's the beers that will represent these fine institutions.

1. Duck Rabbit Amber,  NC's finest.
2. Highland Gaelic Ale, produced somewhere near Duke.
3. Landshark Lager, the only Florida Beer I could find.
4. St. George Golden Ale, a little East of Blacksburg, but VA.
5. RJ Rockers Bell Ringer, Somewhere in SC.
6. Sam Adam's, a Boston fahkin non qweeyah beeyah.
7. Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber, a little North West of campus.
8. Starr Hill Amber, right in Charlottesville.

      So it's 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, etc. you get the drill. Now this is of course judged strictly on the beer so Duke won't get 20 phantom calls every game to win.  So prepare for a week of the ACC Tourney, of Beer.