Two items of joy on beer front.

First, sales of American craft beers climbed by 12 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to statistics from the Brewers Association. That means the good stuff is selling. Sales of imported beers were up 1.4 percent, as were sales of non-craft American beers for 2007, but of course their base is bigger.

Secondly, out in Denver, Matt Venske of Yorktown, Va., has won the Wynkoop Brewing Company title of Beer Drinker of the Year. This spirited competition has been going on for 11 years. It started off as a local contest and now draws entrants from around the country.

Contestants answer questions about their knowledge of and fondness for beer. Venske, for instance, told the judges he is pursuing a plan that would put good beer in 3-ounce containers, That way he and other beer lovers could carry the good stuff aboard commercial airlines.

Venske, an aircraft maintenance manager, has tasting notes on some 3,200 beers he has sampled in 69 nations. By winning, he gets free beer for life at the Denver brewery, a $250 tab at his local pub, the Taphouse on Queensway in Hampton, Va. 

Finally, he gets a T-shirt that proclaims him 2008 Beer Drinker of the Year.

How cool is that?

Is there a better inscription for a T-shirt?

If so, what would your dream T-shirt say?