Beer Bracket 2011

It is that time of year.  The NCAA released their bracket, so not it is time for A Beer in Hand's Beer Bracket.  Like in years past, the bracket replaces the NCAA teams with some of the best brews from around the country and around the world.  You can use the bracket for a few different reasons.


a. To find new beers to seek out and to try
b. To fill out an office poll (just pretend the colleges are the brews, pick your favorites)
c. To find a new team to follow (find your beer, find your team)

This year's bracket is broken up into 4 different groups.  East Coast beers are any that are east of the Mississippi.  West Coast beers are (surprisingly) west of the Mississippi.  European beers are those that are brewed in Europe (hopefully, I didn't need to explain that one either).  And finally, I chose to honor the rash of Canned Beers.  I fully support the canned beer movement, and feel that more breweries should look into canning.

So here is the Bracket.  Analyze it, review it, print it out and make your predictions.

Click to Enlarge

Note: I tried to only post beers that I have drank on the bracket.  I know there are a million great beers out there, but there are only 68 slots.  Please forgive me for not getting to try Russian River, Firestone Walker, Hair of the Dog (or any of the bazillion Portland Brewpubs), Cigar City, etc.  I try to get out and find these great breweries, but sometimes I just cannot get to them.  If you feel that strongly about it, you can feel free to send me a bottle of something that I need to try.