Phil Farrell is living the dream. While some folks were toiling in their cubicles last year, he was busy visiting 32 states and 18 countries in pursuit of his simple pleasure: drinking beer. In recognition of his efforts, Farrell has been bestowed with the honor of Wynkoop Brewing Company's Beerdrinker of the Year, notes the Denver Post, after passing the muster of the competition's expert judges. A four-time finalist from Cumming, Georgia, Farrell speaks like a true advocate of suds: "Beer is the greatest gift ever given to the human race and is meant to be shared with others." Amen to that.

Farrell, a commercial airline pilot, will receive free beer for life at the Wynkoop, $250 worth of beer from his local brewpub, and plenty of garb emblazoned with "Beerdrinker of the Year." 5280 contributor Jennie Dorris, who was selected to help judge the contest, sought out "the 'it' factor that separates the champ from the deserving finalists" in a recent essay for the magazine.