NOTE: Voting is now closed for the Sudsy Sixteen. Voting for the Ultimate Minnesota Beer Bracket's Ale-ite Eight will begin Monday, March 25, at startribune.com/beerbracket.
The field is set. Now, get drinking … ah, voting. Or whatever works for you.
The third annual Ultimate Minnesota Beer Bracket is off to a hoppy start after Star Tribune readers — more than 9,000 of you — voted to determine who would be competing for the delicious glory of being named the favorite brewery in the state.
In this year's Sudsy 16, there are some surprises, some chances for redemption, and a Whole. Lot. Of. Beer.
Take our No. 1 seed, Castle Danger. The growing Two Harbors operation surprised everyone — itself included — when it crushed one of Minnesota's largest brewers to win it all in 2018. Now, it's the one to beat. This time, it has surpassed Surly again, taking the top spot, while the Minneapolis behemoth sunk to No. 3. Surly must be Furious.
Can Castle Danger ride to victory on a Lake Superior wave yet again? Not if Bent Paddle has anything to say about it. The North Shore neighbor from Duluth sailed into the No. 2 spot.
This year's Cinderella might be Lupulin, a fast-growing brewery from downtown Big Lake, which debuted in the field at an impressive No. 11. Another newcomer, Modist, took the 13th spot.
There was a four-way battle over 16th place involving Bauhaus, Junkyard and Utepils, with Lift Bridge emerging the victor.
But everyone should feel good; it's in the math. Voters got to make five selections: No. 1 picks were worth five points, No. 2 were four points, and so on. All 166 Minnesota breweries nabbed votes.
Now it's up to you. Vote for your favorite in each of the Sudsy 16 matchups. Click below. The winning breweries will advance to the Ale-ite Eight.
