Quarter 4 Troegs Mad Elf vs. New Glarus Enigma

This is it, its go big or go home. Time to put up or shut-up. Wisconsin comes into the quarter holding four fingers high....maybe this is when they shine and take the lead back to win the game. Although Pennsylvania has dominated almost the entire game, very consistent the entire way through. Who is going to take home the LomBEERdi Trophy?

Troegs Mad Elf vs. New Glarus Enigma

Eduardo: An intruiging 4th quarter matchup. This was not a style for style matchup. It was more of a wild card match up between two limited/seasonal release craft beer darlings. New Glarus is only available in Wisconsin but popular with beer geeks outside that state that trade for their beer. Troegs is a rising star in the craft beer world. They are distributed now in eight states and Washington DC. During the holidays I had several customers at my Ft; Lauderdale store ask for Mad Elf which impressed me. I have been looking forward to trying this beer.

The Ferm: Ohhh no thats right the big boys have come out to play in the forth quarter. Mad Elf vs Enigma. While these beers are not the same style per say, they are both brewed with cherries and are seasonal/one time releases. I personally have had both, but not back to back. I think Enigma takes a strong lead and locks up this match for Wisconsin. Mad Elf doesn't stand a chance....or does it?!

About the Beers

Mad Elf- Pours ruby red color with high clarity. Not a lot of carbonation. Wow, just straight up honey & cherries. They are playing so well together! Consistent flavors from start to finish. We both would like to see more takes from other breweries on this. The ingredients worked so well together. Do yourself a favor and get your hands on one of these. It’s pretty much gone from stores so you may have to wait till next holiday season.

Enigma- Limited release from the Unplugged Series. Pours a similar color but with some haziness. It gets off to a nice start with sour cherries in your face and some oak hiding in the background. Again a disappointing finish. We both are usually more impressed with New Glarus. This had promise but in the end didn’t deliver. (note: I (Ferm) remember this beer as a completely different animal, this bottle just fell flat on the tail-end).

Quarter Synopsis

The Wisconsin defense really steps up at the beginning of the 4th quarter and returns an errant Pennsylvania pass for a touchdown bringing the score to 20-19. Pennsylvania then scores two touchdowns to close out the game at 34-19. Congrats to Pennsylvania on your Super Bowl win! Raise the LomBEERdi Trophy high with pride!

Game MVP: definitely goes to Mad Elf. This beer was the best all around beer of the tasting. Tons of flavor on the attack and back-end of the palate. Damn fine beer.

Once again thank you to Eduardo for a fun week. I hope you all enjoyed it! Have fun during the Super Bowl and drink a good craft beer from your favorite city.

Quarter 2: Yuengling Lager vs. Leinenkugels Amber

The Amber is the only Leinies consumers will find left in South Florida as the rest have been discontinued by the local distributor. For other folk elsewhere that want some flavor options Leinenkugels would be a ready available option for their Super Bowl option. For Steelers fans that wait till the last minute and Iron City is sold out, Yuengling would be a readily available substitute with Pennsylvania “flavor”.  Both beers are similar in style so this should be a pretty even matchup.  Lets see how they do;

Eduardo:
Yuengling- not much nose, clean, no obvious defects, enough body, decent carbonation. Personally, if I had to reach for a session lager the day of the game it would be this one.
Leinenkugels- intriguing light nose, little darker in color and more malt presence then the Yuengling, more carbonation and body in the beer. Some hop presence in the finish. There is what I will call a defect here. There is a transition in the beer mid palate from the malt up front to the hop bite in the finish that doesn’t work for me. Bigger or more flavor is not always better, comparing this to the Yuengling.

The Ferm: Hot damn how do you compete with one of the best breweries in the US that is brewing on a super large scale. Yuengling is an American Staple....and if you don't think it is then, well I don't know what to tell you. This beer is just smooth all around. When I think of the state of Pennsylvania this brewery is the first that comes to mind. Sadly the "Leiny" just can't hang. There seems to be more of a malt build with the Leiny but it leads to some crazy off flavors.

Quarter Synopsis: Well not a super exciting 2nd quarter, but PA drove consistently down the field to score a touchdown burning 8+ minutes off the game clock. WI comes up flat. Still a strong defense game.

Quarter Score: PA 7-0
Game Score: PA 10-5 at the half

Halftime Chitter Chatter: PA is playing more consistent beer ball right now. WI needs to show up and play more consistently if they want a chance to win in the second half. Looking for something big out of the gates in the second half from WI. EAT YOUR HEART OUT BUD BOWL 2011!

Quarter 1: Iron City Light vs. Pabst Blue Ribbon

These were the beers in the “game” that would be the most closely associated with their respective teams. Many Steelers fans will be checking their favorite store or bar for Iron City for the Big Game.  But what is more recognizable than the old can of PBR?

Both beers are lagers and are probably two of the more commercially well known beers that will be in the game.

Eduardo: IC Light is Super clear, cereal on the nose. No obvious defects. Decent carbonation. Basically this is slightly sweet cereal flavored water with food coloring. I can see why fans would reach for this to knock back a few during a game.

The Ferm: PBR....This is a tailgating staple for me. Listen I know it isn't fair because PBR isn't a light beer, but this beer smacks IC Light in the mouth, spits on it, and then runs over it. There is so much more flavor to PBR. Also have you ever seen a can of IC Light sell for a ton of money over in China? Nope, didn't think so!

Quarter Synopsis: Wisconsin (Pabst) takes an early lead at the end of the first quarter. Both teams kick field goals. Wisconsin scores a safety at the end of the quarter. Overall a defensive battle so far.

End of the 1st: Wisconsin 5-3
Total Game: Wisconsin 5-3