Wynkoop Brewery Names Three Finalists for "Beerdrinker of the Year"

 Wynkoop Brewery is getting set to host its annual Beerdrinker of the Year competition and the three finalists have impressive beer drinking resumes. If you are around Denver on Feb. 25 you might want to stop in for the finals.

The three finalists are:

Warren Monteiro, a New York City freelance writer, beer traveler, homebrewer and BeerSensei columnist for Alestreet News. Monteiro has sampled beers in Europe, Central American, India, Sri Lanka, numerous other nations and throughout the United States. In 2011 he visited breweries and beer festivals in England, Belgium, the Netherlands and the US. He samples an average of 350 beers each year. His home beer bar: Blind Tiger Ale House, New York City.

Greg Nowatzki, a Las Vegas, Nevada accountant, home brewer and beer judge. Nowatzki has tasted over 13,600 beers from 84 different countries and all 50 states in the U.S. He has visited over 500 breweries in 32 different states and the District of Columbia, and attended over 150 beer festivals in 8 states. In 2011 he visited 16 beer festivals (including an 11th consecutive Great American Beer Festival) and visited over 100 different breweries in 7 states. His home beer bar: Big Dog’s Draft House, Las Vegas, Nevada.

J. Wilson, a Prescott, Iowa writer, homebrewer, beer judge and beer blogger. He has a three tap, 8-foot home bar supplied by a 10-gallon brewing system in his basement. An advocate for beer for 15 years, he organized numerous beer events in his hometown in 2011. The past year was highlighted by a research project in which he fasted for 46 days on water and a dopplebock he brewed with a local brewery. It became a book, Diary of a Part-Time Monk. His home beer bar: El Bait Shop, Des Moines, Iowa.

The judging takes place at Wynkoop on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m., when the finalists face questions from a panel of previous Beerdrinkers of the Year and beer experts. More information is available at http://www.wynkoop.com/.