HINT: It has nothing to do with keg stands.
What’s that you’re thinking? What did you just say? You never heard of the Beer Drinker of the Year awards, nor the amazing honor with which it bestows those lucky few who have won the title? The competition has been in existence for more than 12 years...what the hell were you doing all that time, drinking ridiculous amounts of beer for your own pleasure?
For shame, dear friend. For shame.
But there may be another and even more valid reason why you have not heard of the Wynkoop Brewing Company and their Beer Drinker of the Year awards. The Wynkoop, Denver’s first official brewing company, has (in my opinion) kept the competition a relative secret, most likely in an attempt to not attract the wrong kind of crowd…
Whereas one may assume that the BDY competition resembles something similar to the awesomeness on display in the feature film Beerfest, one would be absolutely and completely wrong. And although the BDY is rumored to be filled with many a laugh and many a pint, no points are awarded for fastest chugging, and no medals are handed out for besting your opponents in beer pong.
No, the true Beer Drinker of the Year award is more about endurance, money, and a lust for crafted beer. Craft beer (for those of you who are still reading this and wondering when we’ll talk about shotgunning a sixer of Pabst) is made by very small, independent, and traditionally minded brewers. Your buddy with the six-pack fermenting in his basement? He’s a craft beer brewer. The Wynkoop? They are a craft brewer. Bud Select? Not so much, no. There are literally thousands of craft brewers across the United States and the WBC honors those who honor craft breweries in the best way possible – by visiting as many of them as they can and drinking them to the ground. This year’s winner, a software engineer named Cody Christman, has visited over 200 breweries in 19 countries over the last year alone. He also teaches a Beer 101 class from his home, which he’s customized with 7 beer taps and 3 beer fridges.
In other words, don’t expect to win this award solely on your charms and good looks.
