This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Nick Costa.
CHICAGOLAND
2019 Chicago Brewery Bracket
Championship
After five rounds and nearly 160,000 votes, we have a Readers’ Choice Chicago Brewery Bracket Championship matchup: Hop Butcher for the World out of the Suburbs and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery from the West. From 64 worthy entrants, these two slugged it out through the left and right half of the bracket to emerge victorious thus far. But only one will be crowned 2019 Readers’ Choice Best Brewery…
Vote for your favorite brewery to determine the 2019 Champion.
SUBURBS VS. WEST
(5) Hop Butcher For The World vs. (4) Maplewood Brewery & Distillery
Hop Butcher has spent the last few years–since rebranding from their “South Loop Brewing Co.” days–cranking out some of the state’s best IPAs, at feverish pace. To reach the championship, the brewery ousted some of the area’s top breweries in Alter, Penrose, Mikerphone, Noon Whistle and Half Acre–any of which could have rightfully taken the title themselves, really. Now, we’ll just anxiously await HBFTW’s taproom to get announced… Meanwhile, Maplewood powered past the other half of the bracket, taking down Piece, Hopewell, Revolution, Pipeworks and Open Outcry to do so. Their Logan Square “Lounge” has quickly become one of Chicago beer fans’ favorite hangs, where they are able to enjoy the juice-pantsiest and brownie-est beers around, alongside some of the city’s best cocktails and pub grub.
With all that said, it’s easy to say that this matchup will likely come down to the wire…
This Poll has Closed.
Cheers!
For a PDF of the bracket, please click here.
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