(Denver, CO) – An Alaskan by the name of Bill Howell won the annual Beer Drinker of the Year Contest held at Wynkoop Brewing today. He wins free beer for life at the Denver brewery and a few other prizes. The silver lining, of course, is that he lives 3,500 miles away from Denver.

Howell beat out a guy from Georgia and a guy from Denver. Logan Perkins from Denver would have been the second straight local to win the competition after last year’ winner, a Wynkoop regular since 1991.

From Marty Jones at Wynkoop Brewing:

“At 4:30 PM today before a standing-room-only crowd at Denver’s Wynkoop Brewing Company, Bill Howell — a Sterling, Alaska college administrator, retired Navy officer, homebrewer, and beer educator — was crowned the 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year.

One of three national finalists at Wynkoop competing for the 2010 title, Howell withstood 2 hours of difficult beer-related questions from a panel of national beer experts to win the 14th annual title.

He wins free beer for life at Wynkoop, a $250 bar tab at his favorite brewpub (Elias Brewing Company in Soldotna, AK), unmatched beer-lover glory and other prizes for winning the title.”

Here is the press release with more info about the competition and finalists:

Ultimate beer lovers from Denver, Georgia and Alaska to compete for 14th Beerdrinker of the Year title on February 27 at Wynkoop

(Denver, Colorado) – Wynkoop Brewing Company’s judging panel has picked its three finalists for the brewpub’s 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year award.

These finalists will compete in the Beerdrinker of the Year finals on February 27, at 2 PM, at Wynkoop Brewing Company. The event is open to the public and admission is free. The three top vote getters from this year’s resume pool are:

Phil Farrell, a Cumming, Georgia commercial pilot, homebrewer, beer judge and 2007 Beerdrinker finalist. He has tasted beer in every country in Europe, 1000 of the world’s pubs and 400 brewpubs. His basement beer pub features six taps, two refrigerators, and a 15-gallon brewing system.

His philosophy about beer: “Beer is first and foremost a social drink. It is the most flexible and universally affordable fine beverage there is. Every social gathering and every food item is enhanced with beer. Beer is the greatest gift ever given to the human race and meant to be shared with others.”

His home beer bar: Five Seasons North in Alpharetta, GA.

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William Howell, a Sterling, Alaska college administrator, retired Navy officer, homebrewer, and beer educator. In 2007 he created a new course for Kenai Peninsula College entitled The Art and History of Brewing, and has traveled extensively across Alaska and the West in pursuit of great beer. He also serves as an ally for various beer retailers and journalists, and blogs about his state’s rich beer culture.

His beer philosophy: “I have been a lover of craft beers since 1984 and a homebrewer since 1989. Since my retirement from active duty I’ve been really been able to “get serious” about beer. I decided it was time to start giving something back to the world of craft beer that had given me so much.”

His home beer bar: Elias Brewing Company in Soldotna, AK

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Logan Perkins, a Denver, Colorado beer enthusiast who has tried nearly 5000 beers in 45 states, 21 European countries and 5 Asian nations. He has conducted extensive travels across then US since 2008, visiting America’s breweries and beer towns. Perkins was a 2007 Beerdrinker of the Year finalist and 2009 semifinalist.

His philosophy of beer drinking: “Drinking beer is about enhancing the quality of life through flavors, feelings and friends. I love beer alone, but especially enjoy sharing it with others. I believe in handling, collecting and tasting beers with the same respect as a wine lover. I try to keep everything in moderation, including moderation itself.”

His home beer bar: Falling Rock Taphouse, Denver, Colorado

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On February 27 these finalists will be grilled by a panel of previous Beerdrinker of the Year winners and national beer experts. The judges (in traditional jurist wigs and robes) will challenge the finalists with difficult beer questions, and then choose the 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year.

The 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year will win free beer for life at the Wynkoop Brewing Company, $250 worth of beer at their local brewpub or beer bar, and clothing proclaiming them the 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year.

They will also have their name engraved on Wynkoop’s Beerdrinker of the Year trophy. The winner also wins the beer-blessed glory of being recognized as America’s greatest beer lover.

Cody Christman of Golden, Colorado is the reigning Beerdrinker of the Year and will be a judge at this year’s Finals. For the Finals event, Wynkoop will serve a mollasses-enhanced brown ale brewed by Christman and Wynkoop head brewer Andy Brown.

The resume review panel for the 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year search was comprised of the nation’s top beer writers and beer experts, and previous Beerdrinker of the Year winners.