Four Beers Remain in Coloradoan Beer Bracket

Locals vote to determine the champion in the semifinals of the annual beer competition.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:57pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a single iconic beer bottle or can in a grid, using a vibrant neon color palette and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday beer product into a modern pop art piece.The final four beers in the Coloradoan's annual beer bracket competition represent the vibrant craft beer scene in Fort Collins.Fort Collins Today

The Coloradoan's annual beer bracket competition has reached the semifinals, with only four beers remaining from the original 64 entries representing 21 Fort Collins breweries. Voters will now decide which two beers advance to the championship round, with the final matchup featuring brews from Stodgy Brewing, Ramskeller, and Zwei Brewing.

Why it matters

The Coloradoan beer bracket has become a highly anticipated annual event that engages the local community and highlights the vibrant craft beer scene in Fort Collins. As the competition narrows down, it generates excitement and friendly rivalry among beer enthusiasts in the region.

The details

The four remaining beers in the competition are Stodgy Brewing's Mexican Lager, Ramskeller's Cam's Orange, Stodgy Brewing's Scottish Ale, and Zwei Brewing's Willy Nelson IPA. These beers advanced through several rounds of voting, eliminating fan favorites like Maxline Brewing's Irish Red and Horse & Dragon Brewing's Sad Panda Coffee Stout along the way. Voting for the semifinals round will be open until noon on April 7, with the championship match-up to be determined.

  • The Coloradoan beer bracket competition began with 64 beers from 21 Fort Collins breweries.
  • The field has been narrowed down to the final four beers.
  • Voting for the semifinals round will close at noon on April 7.

The players

Stodgy Brewing Co.

A local Fort Collins brewery with two beers remaining in the competition, the Mexican Lager and the Scottish Ale.

Ramskeller

A Fort Collins brewery with its Cam's Orange beer advancing to the semifinals.

Zwei Brewing

A Fort Collins brewery with its Willy Nelson IPA as one of the final four beers in the competition.

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What’s next

Voting for the semifinals round of the Coloradoan beer bracket will close at noon on April 7, with the championship match-up to be determined.

The takeaway

The Coloradoan beer bracket has become a beloved annual tradition that showcases the vibrant craft beer culture in Fort Collins. As the competition reaches its final stages, it generates excitement and friendly rivalry among local beer enthusiasts, highlighting the region's diverse and high-quality brewing scene.