Well I started the column in 2004, so yes.
I also believe that anyone trying to put a legal claim on the name would be stopped rather quickly by the people who make BEER NUTS, those little peanut snacky things and who have owned the name since time immemorial!
Oh, yeah, and I know Norm Miller. Lives 90 miles away from me (sorry, 140 km)
I was before him too!