We wouldn’t lie to you, would we? Of course we wouldn’t.
After nearly a month of voting, a field of 24 fall beers produced by craft breweries from eight counties in the Finger Lakes is down to two in the Democrat and Chronicle Fall Beer Bracket Challenge.
It’s not BS to say that No BS Brewing Co. emerged from a crowded Finger Lakes field to make it to the championship round. The brewery, which has locations in Victor and Livonia, defeated Keuka Brewing Co. in Hammondsport to take the Finger Lakes crown, setting up a finale against Monroe County champ Knucklehead Craft Brewing, from Webster.
The road to victory was hard fought for both contestants.
Knucklehead opened its championship run by defeating Irondequoit Craft Brewing, followed by wins over Eli Fish Brewing Co. in Batavia and Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. In Rochester.
No BS Brewing Co. took care of Naked Dove Brewing Co., Three Heads Brewing and Runaway Blue Brewing Co. before upending Keuka Brewing Co. on its way to the final.
Fall beers of the Finger Lakes
The New York State Brewers Association’s Think NY, Drink NY 2025 New York Fall Beer Guide offered ideas for the brackets, and we’ve included some of them and their descriptions, as well as added a few of our own. Breweries from eight counties were represented.
If you don’t see your favorite in the brackets, let us know (mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com). We’ve already heard from fans of Birdhouse Brewing Co. in Honeoye, Frequentem Brewing Co. in Canandaigua, Other Half Brewing in East Bloomfield and Canandaigua, Crafty Ales and Lagers in Phelps, and Noble Shepherd Craft Brewery in Bloomfield. We’ll acknowledge the top write-ins.
Here are the brackets:
Finger Lakes champion vs Monroe County champion
No BS Brewing Co. vs Knucklehead Craft Brewing
No BS Brewing Co.’s fall offering is one for the name hall of fame: When Pumpkins Attack, which is a light ale infused with pumpkin spice. 3474 Bronson Hill Road, Livonia, Livingston County.
Orange you glad it’s pumpkin season? Knucklehead Craft Brewing is and has Pumpkin Ale to show it. 426 Ridge Road, Webster.
What to know
Voting begins Thursday, Nov. 6, and ends at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11.
You may vote once per matchup per hour.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Vote for the best fall beer: Finger Lakes champ vs. Monroe County’s winner
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Canandaigua Daily Messenger / MPNnow
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