Pizza Cup 2018: We’re Down to the Elite Eight

The final results from the Sweet 16 round of the 2018 Beijing Pizza Cup are in... and it's been emotional.

This year's most controversial contender, Tube Station, has been ousted from the competition in a shock result, by expat-friendly The Local. Did the purveyors of Beijing's largest pizza lose out because they pissed off the Italian community in Beijing (and abroad) with their on-the-nose billboard at the 2018 Beijing Pizza Festival? Or are Beijingers simply more in love with The Local's brand of American-style pizza? We may never know but the end result is the same. The Local in, Tube Station out. 

The closest race among the other contenders proved to Di'anmen's Italian haven of Eatalia verses the Lido favorite Ramo. As for defeats, fans of Bottega will perhaps be unsurprised to hear that they crushed the Papa John's chain.

While those two big names were locked in their death-grip, these following establishments were also duking it out to defend their territory:

• Gung Ho! Pizza beats Pizza Saporita
• Pie Squared beats Great Leap Brewing #45
• Bottega beats Papa John's
• Annie's beats Pyro Pizza
• The Local beats Tube Station
• Q Mex beats Kro's Nest
• Eatalia beats Ramo
• La Pizza beats Yummy Box

And now, it's time to get ready for the second-to-last round. We hereby present you the contenders for the Elite Eight (drumroll please):

Gung Ho vs. Pie Squared
This one is going to be gruesome, as the reigning champions (Pie Squared) fight former champion (Gung Ho) to make it through to the next round. Sadly, one of these epic pizzerias will have to go. Who it will be, is up to you. 

Q Mex vs. Local
Things are about to get really tense around Sanlitun, as neighbors QMex and the Local compete to move through to the next round. Only 100 meters separate their two businesses, but will the vote-count be equally narrow?

Bottega vs. Annie's
Traditional, Neapolitan-style Italian pizzeria Bottega is going head-to-head with one of Beijing's first ever pizza purveyors. Neapolitans are known for their fierce pride and fighting spirit, but we don't expect them to show any mercy to old favorite Annie's. 

Eatalia vs. La Pizza
Proving that when it comes to defending pizza, Italy will always fight to the end, two of the city's best-loved Italian owned pizzeria heavyweights are heading towards a home-grown showdown. Mamma mia, this one is going to be tough.
 

Scan the QR Code below with WeChat to Vote the best pizza through to this year's Elite Eight.

It's been a dramatic and exciting round, but that wasn't all that we asked of you. We also tested your knowledge of local beer, and you voted on which names you knew:

The Big Four:

1. Jing-A (67 percent)
2. Great Leap Brewing (62 percent)
3. Slow Boat Brewpub (61 percent)
4. Arrow Factory (51 percent)

The Up-and-Comers

5. Panda Brew (34 percent)
6. Legend Beer (25 percent)

The Relatively Unknown

7. Great Outdoors (14 percent)
8. Nbeer Pub (14 percent)
9. Steamrhino (12 percent)
10. Dongli Brewery (7 percent)
11. Urbrew (6 percent)
12. Rolling Rolling (3 percent)

Knockout round schedule

The Elite Eight closes Tue, Oct 30
The Final Four is announced Tue, Oct 30 and closes Fri, Nov 2
The Championship round is announced Fri, Nov 2 and closes Mon, Nov 5

This year's winner of Beijing's Best Pizza 2018 will be crowned on Monday, Nov 5!

With the Sweet 16 results in, these are the final rankings so far

17. Paddy O'Shea's 
18. Pizza Marzano 
19. Tavola
20. Xian at East, Beijing 
21. Mao Mao Chong 
22. Domino's 
23. La Villa 
24. Lievito
25. Tiago 
26. The Veggie Table 
27. Lily's American Diner 
28. Lakers 
29. Tribe 
30. Pizza Hut 
31. Legend Beer 
32. NBeer Pub 
33. Pizza Factory 
34. Stuff'd 
35. VSports 
36. Luga's Villa 
37. Eudora Station 
38. The Rug 
39. Fellas 
40. Grandma's Kitchen 
41. Le Fromager de Pékin 
42. Tim's Texas BBQ 
43. Bocca Della Verita 
44. Nasca Cafe 
45. Mrs Shanen's / Green Cow Cafe 
46. Pizza by LMPlus 
47. Mio, Four Seasons Hotel 
48. 1st Floor 
49. Scott's Family Ristorante Italiano 
50. Andy’s 
51. Joe’s Bar & Kitchen 
52. QS 
53. Mr Pizza 
54. Assaggi 
55. Pizza Buona 
56. Flypizza & Hoodakdak Chicken 
57. Peter Pan 
58. Panda Brew 
59. Nine Road Pizzeria 
60. Buddy Bar 
61. PBD Pizza Bar 
62. Fratelli Fresh 
63. Via Roma, Kempinski Hotel 
64. 789 (A-Life) 
65. Radici 
66. Peiping Machine 
67. Pizza Now 
68. Bene 
69. Uno Bar & Grill 
70. Passby Bar 
71. Red Rose 
72. Charlie's 
73. Max Pizza 
74. Mix's Italian Grill 
75. Four Ace 
76. Botany 
77. Leos Pizza 
78. Elisa's 
79. Jazz-Ya 
80. Prego, Westin Financial Street 
81. Casalingo 
82. Kitchen Igosso 
83. Agrilandia 
84. Hisewel Brew-pub 
85. Pizzagram 
86. Loft Eatalicious 
87. Yun Brew 
88. Blufish 
89. Pinvita 
90. Whale's Pizza 
91. Miss Pizza 
92. Byone 
93. Jushi Pizza Just in Time! 
94. Atta BJ 
95. Ebeiguo 
96. BK's Tavern 
97. Pomona 

Images: the Beijinger, Giphy