The Brewper Bowl Results

We’re calling the fight!!!

The game started out slow as both teams were playing very conservatively. Boston led with Harpoon Brewing Company’s IPA, which was nice, but underwhelming. It had a smooth and subtle hop quality to it, but compared with other IPAs, it fell a bit flat.

So New York had a chance to capitalize on Boston lack-luster beginning - out comes Brooklyn Brewing Company’s East India Pale Ale. As I drank this beer, it occurred to me that Brooklyn must’ve stole Harpoon’s recipe (or maybe the other way around) because this IPA tasted just like the one I had just had; mild hoppy notes and a smooth finish, but nothing remarkable to sing about.

Now that each city has had a turn, and perhaps the “feeling out” phase of this match is over, its Boston’s turn again. The Boston Brewery takes the reigns and brings out their Sam Adams Boston Ale. The Boston Ale is made with all the same spices and flavors as their Boston Lager, but the flavors are more complex since it's an ale. Overall, it was a solid effort, and though not dazzling, kept Boston in the driver’s seat.

Sensing a need for a momentum swing, New York countered with Brooklyn Brewing Company’s Winter Ale. It was malty and spicy as a winter warmer should be, and though a touch subtler than I would like, it was certainly good enough to break this stalemate and put New York comfortably ahead heading into the last two beers.

Brewper Bowl I's Most Valuable Brew

For their final beer, Bean Town went for the jugular with Sam Adams Latitude 48 IPA, throwing their policy of “playing it safe” right out the window. And it worked beautifully. The Lat 48 has a dazzling hop bouquet and nearly perfect flavor payload on both the front and back of the tongue. New York challenged them and Boston answered.

Now backed into a corner, New York had one last chance to tip the scales for good. Their response was Brooklyn Brewing Co’s Vienna-style Lager. This is a very malty golden-amber colored lager that is crisp and smooth the way a lager should be. All things considered, it’s delicious… but it wasn’t enough to overcome the solid death blow that Boston delivered with Sam Adams Lat 48.

In the end, Boston defeated New York on the strength of the Boston Brewing Company’s Sam Adams Latitude 48 IPA, making the Lat 48 the most valuable brew (MVB). New York’s Brooklyn Brewing Co turned in a very consistent performance which is something to be proud of. But in the end, good IPAs are hard to beat. The first annual Brewper Bowl was a total success.

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!