Today’s column brings the conclusion to the Wisconsin Battle of the Breweries, an ambitious taste test battle of seven of the Badger state’s greatest beer crafters. If you missed my last column, here is a quick summary of what the beer battle was all about:
New Glarus, Ale Asylum, Central Waters, Tyranena, Leinenkugel’s, O’So and Capital were selected to compete. There were five rounds to the battle. Each round was separated based on beer style, with Amber Lagers, Pale Ales/Single IPAs, Double IPAs, Strong Ales/Barleywines and Porters/Stouts each represented by the brewers.
In order to ensure biases could not play a role, the beer tastings were performed while blindfolded, with three judges, including myself, scoring each beer on a scale of zero to five. Finally, each brewer sat out one of the five rounds, so the total score out of four rounds was tallied to determine the ultimate winner.
Last week outlined the winners of the first two rounds: Amber Lagers and Pale Ales. Somewhat surprisingly, the Madison-based Ale Asylum brewery dominated the field, tallying up 24/30 possible points. New Glarus trailed closely in second with 21 points, followed by Capital with 14, Central Waters at 13 and Tyranena 12. O’So and Leinenkugel each sat out one of the opening two rounds, clocking in at seven points each.
Despite the drastic spread in points across the field, the final three rounds promised to provide plenty of opportunity for retribution, with three intense, bold and challenging styles on deck.
Round 3: Double IPAs
The Double India Pale Ale is an invention rooted in excess. As if the overtly-concentrated bitterness of your Standard IPA wasn’t enough, the Double IPA challenges the limits of your taste buds with over-the-top grapefruit and bitter pine flavors.
Arising from the twisted minds of the pallet masochists at the forefront of the American craft beer revolution, the style is not for the faint of tongue. With an incredibly balanced, fresh, malty and citrusy mouthfeel, Ale Asylum once again stole the show, this time with their Satisfaction Jackson IPA.
However, the rest didn’t fall far behind this time. The impressive Central Waters Illumination, Leinenkugel Big Eddy IPA and Tyranena Hop Whore provided bright flavorful offerings. O’So, however, continued to disappoint with the far-too-thin and malt-deficient Hop Whoopin’ IPA.
1. Ale Asylum Satisfaction Jackson – 13/15
2. Central Waters Illumination – 11.5/15
3. (tie) Leinenkugel Big Eddy IPA – 11/15
3. (tie) Tyranena Hop Whore – 11/15
5. O’So Hop Whoopin’ - 9/15
Round 4: Strong Ales and Barleywines
This was arguably the most impressive round of the entire competition. All of these rich, malty and high alcohol beers were phenomenal. With Ale Asylum sitting out the round, Central Waters took over the leadership position with its incredible Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine—buttery toffee and bourbon swarm the pallet, followed by a dry raisin and fig finish.
New Glarus also bounced back with a great Belgian Quadrupel ale that featured lots of dark fruits, pepper and yeast. Though there was some drastic scoring variation with Leinenkugel’s Big Eddy Wee Heavy, the beer’s complex smoke, chocolate and caramel flavors impressed more then they disappointed. Capital’s Eisphyre was universally praised as a really solid and flavorful doppelbock.
1. Central Waters Bourbon Barrel Barleywine – 13/15
2. Capital Eisphyre – 12.5/15
3. New Glarus Abt – 12/15
4. Leinenkugel Big Eddy Wee Heavy – 11/15
5. O’So Rusty Red – 9/10
Round 5: Dark Beers, Porters and Stouts
It all comes down to this: tar black and thick as oil, dark beers can intimidate all of the senses. However, I guarantee that once you become accustomed to the rich and unrelenting flavors that stouts and porters have to offer, the beers can be rewarding in that “oh my God that’s amazing” kind of way that few other styles can ever offer.
Going into the final round, New Glarus trailed Ale Asylum by just four points, needing its Road Slush Stout to somehow make up the ground. Thankfully, the beer was incredible, and tied for first with Leinenkugel’s rich, chocolate and dark fruit-infused Big Eddy Stout. But was it enough?
1. (tie) Leinenkugel Big Eddy Imperial Stout – 12.5/15
1. (tie) New Glarus Road Slush Stout – 12.5/15
3. (tie) Capital Dark Doppelbock – 12/15
3. (tie) O’So Night Train Porter – 12/15
5. Tyranena Rocky’s Revenge – 11/15
6. Ale Asylum Contorter Porter – 9/15
Unbelievably, Ale Asylum completely choked on the last round, finishing dead last and putting their first place lead in jeopardy. Yet, by an astoundingly close half of a point margin overall, it managed to hold on for the win and earn the title of Wisconsin’s best brewery.
1. Ale Asylum – 46/60
2. New Glarus – 45.5/60
3. Leinenkugel’s – 41.5/60
4. Capital – 38.5/60
5. Central Waters – 37.5/60
6. O’So – 37/60
7. Tyranena – 34/60
Questions or comments about the Battle of the Breweries? Email Niko at ivanovic@wisc.edu.
