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| 2001 Beerdrinkster of the Year By Ale Clayson  Charlotte, NC - April 09, 2001Wynkoop Brewing Company, the oldest brewery in downtown Denver, sponsors the 2001 Beerdrinkster of the year award. This year's winner: Cornelia Corey Why did you get involved in the competition? I thought it would be interesting, fun, exciting, etc. to be the first female Beerdrinker of the Year. When did your love of beer develop? During my first trip to England in 1990 I discovered that the "warm, flat" beer was really neither and was wonderfully flavorful. What do you have on your "beer resume" that made you stand out above other competitors? I have varied my beer experiences between many avenues including homebrewing, beer travel, attending beer festivals and events, assisting in the planning and running of beer events, volunteering at beer events, and learning more about beer and beer culture through beer literature (books, magazines, video). You are quoted as saying "I don't drink beer like a girl". Can you elaborate on this comment? This actually came during the "quantity" beer phase of life. While camping out in the infield of Charlotte Motor Speedway with my soul mate, Ray, and three buddies, one was reaching for yet another beer. I yelled over for him to get me one. He paused and then commented, "you don't drink beer like a girl." It became a catch phrase that Ray exploited by creating a jacket for me that said "I don't drink BEER like a GIRL", with the BEER and GIRL in much larger letters. It was a hit at my first try in the Beerdrinker of the Year finals in 1998. Being the first woman to win the competition in its 5 year history, how much more enjoyable does that make the victory? It is a dream realized. I have entered the competition every year since its inception in hopes of becoming the first female winner. I hope it will serve as an example to other women that beer isn't just for men, contrary to general beer marketing. It is a beverage with a history as long and interesting as wine. The vast array of craft beers available today ensure that there is a beer out there for everyone. Did you find it at all intimidating being the only woman in the final 10 this year? Actually, I have been in the final 10 every year. I made the "final" finals of 3 flown to Denver in 1998, 2000, and 2001. I was not intimidated by being the only woman. I was more intimidated by facing an audience but wanting to win helped me overcome my fear. Describe the competition, was it hard/fun/enjoyable? The whole trip to Denver is great. We have a wonderful welcoming day, get personal attention around town, meet fun beer people, and (believe or not) get to drink some great beer. The actual 2 hour competition on day 2 is intimidating, fun, some times hard, some times hilarious, and in general, a good time for everyone involved. You never know what the judges are going to ask you. Are you sick of beer yet? Never. I just attended a beer dinner this past weekend with 5 courses all prepared with beer and served with an accompanying beer. This coming weekend a friend is having a "Winter Warmer" party where we will sample various winter seasonal beer from all over the world. How many different kinds of beer have you tested? I have never tried to count beer styles sampled. I've had quite a few but I have no doubt that I've missed some. Here is a statistics paragraph from my beer resume. In the past year, I visited 39 new brewpubs and breweries in 9 states and 3 foreign countries. I sampled 198 new draught beers at the various brewpubs and breweries visited. In addition, I tasted 176 new bottled beers from 17 states and 10 foreign countries. This number represents only beer labels saved during the year. No attempt was made to track beers sampled at various festivals throughout the year. In total, I have visited 207 breweries and brewpubs in 24 states and 5 foreign countries. How did you celebrate the victory and what perks have come with your victory? We had a beer dinner with the judges after the competition. Then one of my competitors, Ray and I, wandered down to a wonderful beer bar, Falling Rock, in Denver. We sat around sampling beer with the owner and just having a nice chat about beer, music, computers, food, whatever. The next weekend, we attended a party for the Super Bowl (which I paid no attention to) and carried 2 kegs of beer from Victory Brewing Company of Pennsylvania. We called it my Victory Party. My fellow party attendees (all of us volunteers at the local community theater), brought in a throne from the scene shop, dressed me in a purple cape and tiara from the costume shop, and took many photos. As competitors in the final finals (not my term), we all received a most expenses paid trip to Denver (airfare, accommodations, most food and beer for 2-3 nights). As winner, I now have beer for life at Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado. I have received a check for $100 to spend at my home brewpub, Liberty Steakhouse & Brewery in High Point, NC. There are also t-shirts proclaiming my the 2001 Beerdrinker of the Year winner. My name is added to the Beerdrinker of the Year plaque at Wynkoop Brewing Company. And as our master of ceremonies pointed out, I will receive "some" acclaim. Name: Cornelia Corey. Birthplace: Rocky Mount, NC |
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