Peaks and Pints Tournament of Beer: Northwest Ambers bracket released
Peaks and Pints has unveiled the official bracket for its Tournament of Beer: Northwest Ambers, a voter-based public tournament seeking to crown the best amber and red ales brewed in the Pacific Northwest. Patterned after the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Tournament of Beer features 64 ambers and reds brewed in Oregon and Washington, all seeded by public vote, and separated into four geographical regions: Northern Washington, Southern Washington, Northern Oregon, and Southern Oregon with only one amber or red per brewery.
The Tournament of Beer: Northwest Ambers nomination didn’t reveal a surplus of surprises. Many Oregon and Washington breweries don’t brew an amber or red; or have since removed the styles from their brewing calendar. Examining the number one seeds in each region brings back memories from the early 1990s: Mac & Jack’s African Amber in Northern Washington, E9 Brewing Rowdy & Dick Amber Ale in Southern Washington, and Full Sail Brewing Amber Ale in Northern Oregon. Southern Oregon’s number one seed, Boneyard Beer’s Diablo Rojo, is the youngest number one seed by almost two decades.
The top 64 vote getters — the cream of the dark crystal malts — will compete Monday through Friday, April 5-27. Through Peaks & Pints Instagram Stories voting, Northwest amber and red ale drinkers will pick winners until the best amber or red in the region is crowned. It’s just like March Madness, only with way more Columbus hops.
The Tournament of Beer: Northwest Ambers grand champion will be announced at the Tournament of Beer Party, April 27, at Peaks and Pints, 3816 N. 26th St., in Tacoma’s Proctor District. The final two ambers or reds will battle live pouring from our Western red cedar tap log with the champion brewery receiving a permanent handle through the spring and summer 2024. The Tournament of Beer Party in-house ballots will also function as a raffle ticket for a Yeti Cooler plastered with as many amber and red ales participating brewery stickers as possible.
Stop by Peaks & Pints craft beer and cider bar, bottle shop and restaurant in North Tacoma to pick up a Tournament of Beer: Northwest Ambers bracket. Follow along on the Tournament Big Board above our 850-plus cooler. Look for the first round of Northwest amber and red battles beginning Friday, April 5.
LINK: Peaks & Pints Tournament of Beer Headquarters
