What a run it’s been. From the first round’s flurry of votes to the tense semifinal matchups, the Gazette News Group’s Battle of the Brews has shown just how seriously the Capital Region takes its craft beer.

You turned out, you argued, you sampled, and yes — some pints were likely sacrificed along the way. And now that the dust has settled, we have a winner: Stump City Brewing, the Gloversville crew who outpaced the competition and captured the final tally out of over 4,575 votes, edging past longtime favorite Wolf Hollow Brewing Company.

Let’s rewind. Back in late October, the bracket launched with 16 breweries representing the region’s full range of styles and personalities: Brown’s with its heritage and reliability, Frog Alley with its playful lineup, Druthers and Fidens bringing serious firepower and smaller standouts like Back Barn and The Warbler adding their own flair. Voters showed up immediately and in force. Early rounds delivered their share of surprises — Active Ingredient beating Great Sacandaga and Old Klaverack slipping by Whitman.

By Round 2, things got tighter. Speckled Pig advanced over Other One and Stump City dispatched Back Barn and began to feel like more than a long shot.

The semifinals were where the bracket really came alive. Stump City went up against Brown’s, a brewery with decades of mileage and a catalog of crowd-pleasers. But Stump City’s accessible lineup — clean ambers and unfussy hazies, beers built for regulars as much as for hobbyists — won the day. On the other side of the bracket, Wolf Hollow edged past Speckled Pig with a portfolio that has long embodied the rustic charm of the western Capital Region.

That set the stage for a final pairing that spoke to the diversity of our brewing scene: Wolf Hollow’s deep roots and tradition versus Stump City’s newer, more straightforward approach.

I’ll admit, Wolf Hollow seemed like the logical favorite. Their beers carry a sense of place — whether it’s that crisp Kölsch, the cold-weather Scotch ale or the rich barrel-aged stout built for long winter evenings.

Stump City has a different kind of appeal. Their “Stump Jumper” IPA is bright and resinous without being overwhelming, and their cream ale is the kind of beer you can hand to anyone without hesitation. In a side-by-side tasting, their lineup feels designed for a community taproom: well-made beers that don’t demand homework to enjoy.

The voters saw it too. More than 4,500 ballots came in from around the region, turning this contest into a genuine snapshot of what locals are drinking — and what they want more of. Stump City walks away with bragging rights and our 2025 Battle of the Brews title. And congratulations toPeggy Bloom of Warnerville, the winner of the

$200 Stump City Brewing gift card.

But beyond the bracket, this whole thing underscored something deeper. Our local beverage scene is thriving. Small breweries, meaderies and farm-based operations continue to pop up or expand, backed by communities that show up not just for the beer but for the people making it. From the experimental barrels at Dancing Grain to the old-world charm of Helderberg Meadworks, we’re living in a moment where creativity is pouring freely across the map.

As we head toward the holidays, keep exploring. Visit the places you voted for — and the ones you may not have gotten to try. Test something outside your comfort zone. And if you’ve got ideas for next year’s bracket — a mead showdown, a cider tournament or something entirely off-the-wall — send them my way. Remember, we’re planning a Battle of the Brews in March to coincide with the NCAA basketball tourney.

Until then, enjoy the season and keep raising good glasses in good company. Huzzah!

John Norris is the Gazette’s chief proponent of all things craft-fermented. He promises not to cry over spilled IPAs. Email him your ideas at jnorris@dailygazette.net

Johnstown firefighter Eric Brown replaces a signal light at the intersection of N. Perry Street and Townsend Avenue in Johnstown on Wednesday.

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