By The Steward

        The scene is set. The winning IPAs have moved to the exalted Final Four, indicating that they have bested other juggernauts in their respective quadrants. This past weekend a plethora of hops swarmed all over the palates of our worth judging trio, but they were able to find, in most cases unanimously, a better IPA of the two. When you reach this level, it’s like deciding which Alp to ski, or which tropical beach to lay on and drink a cool, refreshing…IPA!

        What continues to refresh me is the huge number of great beers that entered the competition. While the Northwest contains three of the Final Four beers this year, there were great beers from all over the country, testaments to the skill of brewers in using the hop flower to create exciting new flavors. So as those hop shoots start to appear, reaching for the sun and another growing season, let’s lift and IPA from our local brewery, and salute her/his art and skill.

        Onward to the Final Four!