The Elite Eight have been announced! Stillwater Classique will go head to head against Bluejacket Forbidden Planet.  Devils Backbone Vienna Lager will  face off against AleWerks Tavern Ale. Monocacy Riot Rye will square up against Troegs Perpetual IPA.  And Victory Swing Session Saison will compete with Franklin's Golden Opportunity.

Here are my picks: Stillwater Classic, Devil's Backbone, Monocacy Riot Rye, and Franklin's Golden Opportunity.

I love the idea of placing locally crafted beers on a pedestal throughout March.  Locally made craft beers are made with the community in mind.  Whether it is sourcing as many ingredients as possible locally or creating jobs to connect the community with the beer being produced, local craft breweries show us that big-box, mass-produced products are on the decline.  While we all love the convenience of shopping at the Costcos of the world, there is something to be said about walking into a local brewery and being on a first name basis with the owner.

Forge Brew Works in Lorton, Virginia is a perfect example of this.  FBW opened in October 2013 and already is giving back by allowing local groups to meet in its facility.  The pub theology group I am a part of meets in Forge's bar area.  I cannot think of a better way to to be connected to the community that through beer.  Everyone loves beer, and if you happen to be one of the 0.000001% who don't like beer, you probably know someone who does.

Be on the lookout for the Final Four of DC Beer Madness in the Washington Post.