Brian Mertz passed away in 2024. He was a Distinguished Certified judge, resided in Cheyenne, WY and was one of the original founding members of the High Plains Drafters, in 1994.
Brian was a long time active member and served as Club President in our formative years as well as competition director for our long running competition, 8 Seconds of Froth. Brian was well know up and down the Front Range of Colorado and Wyoming for attending and judging beer competitions, as well as for his friendly and gabby personality which earned him the moniker “Windy”.
Drafters gathered at a beer event last year to toast his memory. Our meetings are now a little quieter and certainly not the same without him…he is missed.