Buy now Register/LoginEnter Contact us Sponsors

Our judges

Nikki

Nikki Rowe

Judge

United Kingdom
Nikki is a fully qualified Diploma Brewer and Beer Sommelier and has worked in the Brewing Industry since 1997, starting her career at Young's in Wandsworth and then onto Budweiser in Mortlake. She is currently Brewing Team Leader at Hall.. and Woodhouse in Dorset and regularly judge for SIBA and Great Taste. This will be her second time judging at the World Beer Awards.Read more..Show less..
Anthony

Anthony Gladman

Judge

United Kingdom
Anthony Gladman is an award winning drinks writer from London. He writes about beer, cider and spirits, crafting memorable stories which reveal how drinks can connect us to a particular place, time or person. He is a qualified Beer Sommelier.. and international competition judge. He has WSET L2 Spirits and is training to become a Cider Pommelier.
Read more..Show less..
Bryan

Bryan Betts

Judge

United Kingdom
Bryan Betts is an experienced writer, journalist, blogger and occasional broadcaster, and a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers who has been reporting on the drinks world for many years. Currently London-based but formerly resident in Germany, he.. is a CAMRA and IBD-trained beer judge and taster who has judged in various competitions for more than a decade.Read more..Show less..
Andreas

Andreas Håkansson

Judge

Spain
Andreas has a Ph.D. in Engineering. He abandoned his engineering career to start his own brewery together with his wife in 2015. He is now owner of Sáez & Son, a top-rated flavour forward brewery in Spain. He is Certified.. BJCP judge as well as Certified Cicerone.Read more..Show less..
Stuart

Stuart Howe

Judge

United Kingdom
Stuart has 25 years’ brewing experience and has degrees in Brewing and Distilling and Quality Management. His beers have won World's Best Lager, World's Best Pale Ale, World's Best Abbey Ale and World's Best Spiced Beer along with many other.. international awards. Stuart is a professionally trained sensory panel leader and analyst and has judged the World Beer Awards for the last 14 years. He is currently Technical Development Manager for the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and is responsible for the institute’s educational material on technical brewing and sensory analysis.Read more..Show less..
Francesca

Francesca Morbidelli

Judge

Italy
In 2006, I founded the Beer Tasting and Homebrewers’ Association “La Pinta Medicea” with some friends (located in Florence). At that time, the Italian beer scene was rather desolate, we were the first ones in Florence (and there were very.. few of us in Italy) to organize homebrewing lessons, meetings, as well as other events (dinners, tastings, markets, public presentations and online articles), all aimed at publicizing and spreading the Italian craft beer culture.

Over the past ten years, I have attended any tasting courses that were available (or possible) in Italy: MoBI, Unionbirrai, Slow Food, Fermento Birra and even at our Pinta Medicea when we had guest teachers. I attended the lessons of the best beer experts in Italy: Lorenzo “Kuaska” Dabove, Flavio Boero, Leonardo di Vincenzo, Agostino Arioli.

Since 2008 I have been running a pretty popular website about “quality beer culture”: www.pintamedicea.com. I am probably the first Italian female beer blogger. I write and edit all the articles and sometimes I translate, too – to name a few, I have worked on the Italian translation of articles written by-or regarding Charlie Papazian, Sam Calagione, Randy Mosher, Lotte Peplow (the current Brewers Association’s Craft Beer Ambrassador in EU), for example. I helped to write the lecture notes/handouts for all Unionbirrai beer education courses. I contributed extensively to writing the lecture notes/handouts for the beer education courses held by Unionbirrai. I have also produced some small reviews for various beer guides, for example the Mobi “Guida ai locali birrari”.

I currently teach beer tasting and beer history/culture, and I have offered several public presentations many times; this is the last one, on April ’22. I have organized many beer courses in Florence for Pinta Medicea, and also for Unionbirrai.
I was hosted at some local tv shows to talk about beer (a really terrible picture).
Every year in August I usually volunteer at the Bière sans Frontières stand at GBBF London, to present Italian craft beers to the English public.

I have been selected and have participated as a judge for many beer competitions since 2008/2009, thus acquiring the necessary expertise to take part to any future events on a wider scale. I’ve been a judge 11 times at Unionbirrai‘s competition Birra dell’Anno, (and Birra dell’Anno Winter Edition) plus at dozens of other homebrewing competitions, including: Una Birra in Versilia, Il Villaggio della Birra (many times), IGA Beer Challenge, Birra Dell’Anno Winter Edition, Cerevisia–contest of artisanal beers from Trentino, some stages of the Italian MoBI championship and many others. Moreover I was summoned by the American Brewers Association to judge at the World Beer Cup 2020, which was supposed to take place in San Antonio (Texas) in April 2020. Unfortunately it was canceled because of the pandemic; I am so sorry it would have been a great honor to be a part of the jury. In 2022 I was a judge in the national beer competition Premio Cerevisia 2022, organized by the University of Perugia.
Read more..Show less..
Noel

Noel Sanchez

Judge

France
Panamanian based in Paris, France. Certified Cicerone®?, BJCP Certified Judge, Doemens Biersommelier and Beer Specialist from diplomats at Universidad de Alicante and KU Leuven. Throughout the years he has been selected as a judge for major beer competitions held.. in 15 countries including the US, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. Professionally he has been involved in all kinds of craft beer related ventures: from brewing, retail, marketing, media and events to running sensory trainings, tastings, pairings and teaching at beer institutes in Latin America.Read more..Show less..
Diego

Diego Pompele

Judge

Italy
Diego is an importer and supplier of beers. He received his beer somelier diploma in 2004 at theDoemens Akadiemie in Germany. Over the years he has judged at a number of national and international competitions.
Stephan

Stephan Hilbrandt

Judge

Germany
Stephan Hilbrandt won the 5th World Championship of Beer Sommeliers in September 2017. He is a passionate home brewer since 2012 and a beer sommelier since 2015. Apart from judging in different international beer competitions he gives tastings, moderates beer-accompanied.. menus or helps interested people to enter the world of home brewing.Read more..Show less..
Marcos

Marcos Praça

Judge

Portugal
Doemens Academy certified Biersommelier, International Beer Judge (Barcelona Beer Challenge, France Bière Challenge, Brussels Beer Challenge), Former teacher for Food&Beer Pairing at Senac Gastronomy University (Brazil) with 10 years of experience working for Craft Breweries in roles as Marketing and.. Sales Manager (Domestic and International).Read more..Show less..
Jonas

Jonas Andersson

Judge

Sweden
Co-founder of Slottskällans Brewery Sweden and former Bord Member Stallhagens Brewery Åland. Beer Writer, Beer Blogger and founder of Pilsner.nu. Beer Judge at Brussel Beer Challenge, Birra Dell'Anno, Councours de Lyon, European Beer Star, Stockholm Beer Festival, Uppsala Beer.. FestivalRead more..Show less..
Timothy

Timothy O'Rourke

Judge

United Kingdom
As a qualified Master Brewer for the last 50 years he has worked with Multinational and Craft Breweries from around the world. He is a Beer Sommelier and Co-founder of the Beer Academy as well as a Certified Cicerone. He.. has been involved as a panellist setting up expert flavour panels and judging International Beer Competitions. A prolific technical Beer Writer with over 250 published articles and Technical Editor for a number of Brewing Magazines.Read more..Show less..
Ian

Ian Garrett

Judge

United Kingdom
CAMRA member and volunteer for over 40 years. For several years i was responsible for the International Beer Bar, BSF, at GBBF organising tutored tastings and establishing The Michael Jackson Award for American Cask Beer competition. I have been an.. active judge at local, regional and national CAMRA events as well as judging at SIBA regional & National competitions.Read more..Show less..
Korbinian

Korbinian Kundmueller

Judge

Germany
Even though tasting or brewing beers is not his main profession, as a native of Bamberg, communicating this wonderful beverage is a "Herzensangelegenheit" for him. For the past six years, he has been a guide for city tours and breweries,.. as well as helping out at various beer events.Read more..Show less..
Christine

Christine Cryne

Judge

United Kingdom
Christine loves educating people about beer, whether through tutored beer tastings or training, which covers both enthusiasts and the trade including pubs and breweries.

She is a member of the Guild of Beer Writers, a Master Trainer and an accredited.. European Beer Consumers Union beer judge, judging at a variety of competitions such as for Wetherspoons, SIBA and the Austrian Beer Challenge as well as chairing judging panels at CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain Awards, World Beer Awards and the International Beer Challenge.

Her tutored tastings include venues as diverse as the Tower of London and the Farmers Club and at events such as the BBC Good Food Show, Great British Beer Festival, Ludlow Food Festival, Danske's Copenhagen Beer Festival as well as a number of pubs, bottle shops and beer festivals.

Christine has also been a member of the Whisky Society for several years.

Read more..Show less..
Jay

Jay Brooks

Chair of Judges

United States
John

John Holl

Chair of Judges

United States
Isabelle

Isabelle Netto

Judge

Canada
Iz Netto is a microbiologist M.Sc. and graduate of the Niagara College Brewmaster program. She has worked on a variety of sensory research projects involving yeasts and bacteria, and most notably worked to develop Escarpment Labs' "Lacto 2.0" souring blend...

Iz has presented on beer R&D and other fermentation topics at conferences, workshops, webinars and podcasts, and continues to work on collaborative projects with breweries across Ontario.
Read more..Show less..
Robin

Robin LeBlanc

Judge

Canada
Robin LeBlanc is a beer columnist, owner of the award-winning craft beer site The Thirsty Wench, author of The Ontario Craft Beer Guide, and co-host of The Ontario Craft Beer Guide The Podcast. She has appeared on TV, radio, and.. newspapers preaching the gospel of good beer. She lives in Toronto.Read more..Show less..
John

John Tyler

Judge

Canada
John Tyler is an award-winning home brewer and National level BJCP judge. Recently retired from the LCBO, John held responsibility for the Imported and Out of Province beer and cider purchases for the retail store network.

Prior to joining.. the LCBO John worked in multiple roles in the food sector of the CPG industry. John has been home brewing for 25 years and enjoys teaching how-to-brew classes and style discovery tasting sessions in the local home brew community. He enjoys experimenting with cheese and beer to discover the next great pairing match.

Read more..Show less..
Jesse

Jesse Vallins

Judge

Canada
Scarborough native Jesse Vallins is the executive chef at Barberian’s Steak House in Toronto and has spent over 25 years cooking in some of the city’s best restaurants. Not just a chef, but also a lifetime student of the beverage.. world, Jesse is an Advanced Cicerone, a BJCP certified beer and mead judge, and a certified sommelier.

When he’s not working at the restaurant or dorking out on drinks, Jesse teaches and develops curriculum at Toronto’s George Brown College and contributes content to Food & Drink Magazine.
Read more..Show less..
Josh

Josh Rubin

Judge

Canada
Josh Rubin has been writing about beer since 2006, and was the beer columnist for Canada’s biggest newspaper, the Toronto Star, for 12 years.

He has judged at regional beer competitions and contributed several entries to the award-winning Oxford Companion to.. Beer, including the Canadian national entry. He has also been a judge at the World Whiskies, the World Cider Awards and has made numerous broadcast appearances to speak about beer and spirits.

Josh has written extensively about the changing alcohol retailing landscape in Canada. When he's not sipping beer, he's been known to enjoy a well-made Sazerac.
Read more..Show less..
Lauren

Lauren Richard

Judge

Canada
Lauren Richard is an Advanced Cicerone® and Certified BJCP judge. She curates beer programs, provides staff education, conducts food pairing events and beer dinners, as well as works with festivals to elevate the on and off-site drinking experience. Lauren is.. also a proficient vocalist and voice actor, singing in a country western band and lending her voice to children's animation and videogames around the world.
Read more..Show less..
Tara

Tara Luxmore

Judge

Canada
Tara Luxmore is a Certified Cicerone, Certified Beer Judge and freelance writer for publications like Toronto Life and Food & Drink. Together with her real-life sis Crystal, Tara runs the Beer Sisters, where they lead corporate and private tastings, speak.. at festivals across North America, and consult with brands. Follow the sisters on @beersisters on Instagram & facebook, and www.beersisters.com
Read more..Show less..
Crystal

Crystal Luxmore

Judge

Canada
Crystal Luxmore is a certified Cicerone, professional beer and cider judge, and a seasoned journalist. Together with her sister, Tara, she runs The Beer Sisters where the duo lead tutored tastings and create stellar events for corporate clients and major.. festivals in Canada and the US Crystal writes about libations for The Globe and Mail, Toronto Life, LCBO’s Food & Drink, Beer Advocate and MASH magazines. She has appeared as a beer expert on CTV, Global TV, CBC radio, and on Good Morning Texas. There is nothing she likes more than talking about beer — except drinking it.Read more..Show less..
Patrick

Patrick Thomson

Judge

Canada
Toronto native and leading beer sommelier, Pat Thomson is Beverage Manager at WVRST, one of the city's most respected craft beer bars. Pat's passion, expertise, and detailed knowledge of beer has led him to judge annual brewing competitions. Known for.. his international palate, Pat regularly consults with breweries and is also a partner in Communal Merchants, an agency dedicated to importing the world’s best ciders to Ontario.Read more..Show less..
Alvaro

Alvaro Perez

Judge

Spain
Member of the Spanish Association of Beer Sommelier (AEBSCC)
BJCP Certified Judge
Beer Cicerone level 1
Head of table at the Barcelona Beer Challenge since its second edition
As a Judge I'm quite used to the dynamics of different types of.. Beer Contests I also own a Beer Tasting company (catarcerveza.com) since 2015 in which I do tastings for both large companies (Heineken, MSM, etc.) and Craft Beer.
Read more..Show less..
Claire

Claire Bullen

Judge

United Kingdom
Claire Bullen is an award-winning beer writer, editor, and author. Her first cookbook, The Beer Lover's Table: Seasonal Recipes and Modern Beer Pairings, was published in 2019 and won Best Beer Book at the North American Guild of Beer Writers.. Awards. Claire is also the Editor-in-Chief at Good Beer Hunting, one of the web's leading beer publications. Additionally, she is a beer columnist at Imbibe Magazine and for London bottle shop Hop Burns & Black.Read more..Show less..
Federico

Federico Lantscher

Judge

United Kingdom
Federico Lantschner has worked in the brewing industry as a brewer for 6 years and has been in love with beer and the craft for much longer. He is particularly interested in the culinary aspect of beer and its relationship.. with food and aromas. Federico graduated as a Brewmaster from the VLB institute of brewing and malting from Berlin, he is currently working as a Senior Brewer at Brewdog and training to become a Master Cicerone.Read more..Show less..
Jonny

Jonny Tyson

Judge

United Kingdom
Jonny Tyson, AKA The Beer Wrangler, is a Beer Educator and beer sommelier with a hospitality industry background.
Having run specialist beer and wine stores and a craft beer bar and restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, Jonny returned to the UK.. to become a full time beer educator, developing the BPET (Beer Professional Education & Training) program. He now teaches at and co-owns The South London Wine School, where beer is given the same love and respect as wine!
Jonny was the first Advanced Cicerone in Europe and develops training, hosts beer events and writes about beer. Jonny co-founded and runs the Guild of Beer Sommeliers - highlighting the importance of trained beer professionals in the wider industry. Jonny is also a sommelier and WSET wine educator and uses his experience to showcase beer at a fine-dining table alongside wine.

Read more..Show less..
Judith

Judith Boyle

Judge

Republic of Ireland
Judith Boyle is an accredited Beer Sommelier with the Institute of Brewers and Distillers, beer journalist and award winning member of the British Guild of Beer writers. She is a beverage lecture in the Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) .. and is passionate about all aspects of beer and beer education.
Read more..Show less..
Paul

Paul Davies

Judge

Paul is the founder of AleHunters, a beer event business based in London. He is also a certified Cicerone®, accredited Beer Sommelier and international beer judge.

He hosts training courses for pub companies in the UK and writes regularly for.. the Brewers Journal in the UK and Canada.Read more..Show less..
Stefano

Stefano Moraschini

Judge

Italy
Qualified beer and cheese taster. Tutor and teacher in craft beer training courses. Beer pairing expert. As beer judge: "Birra dell'anno" 2021 & 2022 (Italy); "Frankfurt International Trophy" 2022 (Germany). Web publisher, content & digital creator.
Tom

Tom Pears

Judge

United Kingdom
Tom Pears developed his love for beer whilst at University down in Kent. He has since worked in the beer industry for a number of years. Recently as a contributor to online publications such as Ferment and Euronews. He also.. runs a dedicated beer Instagram account @tom_tappd.
Read more..Show less..
Gabriele

Gabriele Bertucci

Judge

United Kingdom
I am an award-winning contemporary communicator and a drink industry professional, with over a decade of experience in the FMCG and hospitality industries, working in multicultural environments. I am the founder of What's In The Glass? (drinks-led marketing & communication.. agency), an Accredited Sommelier by The Beer & Cider Academy and a member of The British Guild of Beer Writers.
Read more..Show less..
Catherine

Catherine Webber

Judge

United Kingdom
Having been a beer fan for many years, Catherine moved into roles in the drinks world in 2019. She recently joined Attic Brew Co in Birmingham as their Business Development Manager.

Catherine has judged homebrew, SIBA and local competitions and is.. currently studying for her Certified Cicerone qualification.

She is also the founder of Brum Beer Babs (as ladies' beer group) in Birmingham.
Read more..Show less..
Susan

Susan Boyle

Judge

Republic of Ireland
Susan Boyle is a drinks consultant, researcher, and performer. An award-winning member of the British Guild of Beer Writers, Susan presents beers on TV and radio and has hosted tastings at Imbibe Live London, the Oxford Symposium on Food and.. Cookery and a host of music, arts and food festivals. Currently pursuing a PhD, Susan has worked with the British Museum to brew a beer supported by ancient Egyptian archaeological evidence and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Susan has recently developed an education programme to promote Irish spirits internationally for Bord Bia (The Irish Food Board)Read more..Show less..
Chris

Chris Elston

Judge

United Kingdom
Chris Elston is a member of The British Guild of Beer Writers and has been writing a beer blog for the last five years. He won an award for beer and travel writing in 2017 and is also an.. ambassador for St Austell's Proper Job. Chris lives in Devon with his wife Laura and son Ace.Read more..Show less..
Christian

Christian Finz

Judge

Austria
For the past 15 years, Christian has been working in the beer industry all over the planet. In 2016 Christian graduated with the Beer sommelier Diploma from Doemens in Munich. Since early 2019, Christian is the mastermind behind Craft Beer.. International.

Read more..Show less..
Daniel

Daniel Moscosco

Judge

Chile
Founder and head brewer in Bodega ERGO (beers and cider), BJCP judge of beer and mead. Formerly worked in wine industry as oenolyst assistant, now brewing Grape Ales, Barrel Aged, Funky and Experimental beverages.
Francisco

Francisco González

Judge

Chile
"IIngeniero en Alimentos de la Universidad de Chile, Magister en Microbiología y Fermentaciones de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, España, Juez internacional Certified BJCP desde 2014 y Consultor cervecero.
Hace 24 años que participa en diversos paneles sensoriales en las.. áreas de alimentos, vinos y cervezas, además de participar como juez en numerosas competencias a nivel nacional, tales como Copa Garage UC, Copa Minicervecería, Copa Valpo, Chilebrues 2019, 2020 y 2021, Kross Home Brew Day 2019, e internacionales como Copa Cervezas de América, Copa Cervezas de Argentina 2018 y World Beer Awards 2019 y 2021
El 2014 funda Micro Cervecería Pudú"
Read more..Show less..
Francisco

Francisco Saldias

Judge

Chile
Chemical Engineer, with degree in microbrewery, BJCP since 2014, participated in several competitions in South America, home brew and partner of a Small Taste Business
Jeff

Jeff Evans

Judge

United Kingdom
Jeff has been writing professionally about beer for more than 30 years, with books including the Good Bottled Beer Guide and So You Want to Be a Beer Expert?, as well as eight years as Editor of CAMRA's national Good.. Beer Guide.
Read more..Show less..
John

John Westlake

Judge

John is an award-winning member of the British Guild of Beer Writers and an accredited Beer Sommelier who has visited over 150 countries where beer is brewed and enjoyed.

Jorge

Jorge Thiermann

Judge

Chile
I am passionate about the wonderful world of fermentables and destilation, mostly Beer,. Homebrewer since 2014, BJCP Certified Judge, Beer Pub owner and teacher in ACAS (Academia Cervecera de Análisis Sensorial) in the Sensorial Analysis department. Love to drink, taste,.. evaluate, serve, discuss and laugh about and around beers!
Read more..Show less..
Leonardo

Leonardo Caiafa

Judge

Chile
Agronomist in formation, dedicated to the brewing industry for 12 years in various areas of the production process, including packaging, cellar and brewhouse. GCB by the IBD of England and BJCP judge, have judged in several beer competitions, including Copa.. Cervezas de America, Concurso Brasileiro de Cervejas, the Word Beer Awards and the World Beer Cup.
Read more..Show less..
Manuel

Manuel Orellana

Judge

Chile
Maria

Maria Duarte

Judge

Chile
Marius

Marius Fischer

Judge

Germany
Marius Fischer is a brewing and beverage technologist from southern Germany. As a certified beer sommelier, he gives tastings for companies and private individuals. Through hobby brewing he lives his passion beer. 2022 will be the second time at the.. World Beer Awards for him.
Read more..Show less..
Meinhard

Meinhard Wicht

Judge

Germany
Meinhard Wicht has been working with beer and in the beer industry for many years.
For him beer is not a job, but a passion. He started his professional career at the VLB Berlin studying brew technology, continued as a salesman.. for different beer brew companies and completed his passion by graduating as Diplom Biersommelier at Doemens. 2011 he started his own business „ProBierKult“ and is hosting beer tastings and consulting business partners.
Read more..Show less..
Patrick

Patrick Schäfer

Judge

Germany
Pedro

Pedro Bustos

Judge

Chile
Vicepresidente de asociación de cerveceros caceros de chile (chilebruers) en periodo 2017-2019, juez de cerveza bjcp, actualmente head brewer en cervecería muster
Roger

Roger Protz

Judge

Roger Protz is a leading international beer writer. He is the former editor of the Good Beer Guide and the author of more than 20 books on the subject. He travels widely in the search for good beer and has.. given talks in many countries, including Friends of the Smithsonian in Washington DC and Beer Expo in Melbourne, Australia. His website is www.protzonbeer.co.ukRead more..Show less..
Shane

Shane McNamara

Judge

Australia
Shane is a Master Cicerone and also holds a Master's degree in Brewing Science from the University of Nottingham. He has previously worked as a brewer and was formerly the Senior Technical Officer at the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.. (IBD). Shane now helps drive innovation and quality for AB InBev - the world's largest brewer. With a passion for beer and food, Shane is a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers and regularly contributes to publications around the world and judging in beer competitions.
Read more..Show less..
Victor

Victor Jimenez Ayres

Judge

Chile
Doemens Biersommelier, Certified Cicerone(r) and BJCP Beer and Mead Judge, Bartender and Bar Sommelier. I´ve been in the industry for the last 8 years, mainly in the hospitality area and sensory analysis. I currently work as a teacher at ACAS.. (Beer Academy of Sensory Analysis), CRBS (Costa Rica Beer School) and Brewmart (Peru), and as a consultant and trainer in various breweries and beer bars.
Read more..Show less..
Jochen

Jochen Hillbrandt

Judge

Germany
Beer sommelier since 2015, based in Berlin. Judging for the WBA in 2018,2019 and 2020.
Bastian

Bastian Leikeim

Judge

Germany
Bastian Leikeim is the 5th generation of the brewer family Leikeim and owner of the award winning Altenburg Brewery.
He is a certified beer sommelier and was participant of the 6th World Championship of Beer Sommeliers in Italy and will be.. a participant of the 7th Championship in Munich in 2022. He's judging at several beer awards.Read more..Show less..
Adrian

Adrian Tierney-Jones

Chair of Judges

United Kingdom
Award-winning journalist whose work appears in the Daily Telegraph, All About Beer, Beer, Original Gravity (of which he is also editor), Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Imbibe amongst many others.

His books include Great British Pubs, Britain’s Beer Revolution (co-written.. with Roger Protz), the beer anthology Beer, In So Many Words and a new book, The Seven Moods of Craft Beer. He is general editor of 1001 Beers To Try Before You Die and contributor to various others. He is the chair of judges at the World Beer Awards and also a judge at several other competitions worldwide. Expert taster and talker on the world of beer.
Read more..Show less..
Carsten

Carsten Helmholdt

Judge

Germany
In 2015 I started to homebrew and brewed my own beers at home I become addicted to real good quality beers and started to educate myself more about making beers and the brewing process as long as different styles and.. history of beer.

In 2016 I jointed to the local homebrewers Association "Braufreunde Berlin". I became more experienced about tasting homebrewed beers of the locals and started to like judging beers. I also started writing articles for theBraufreunde, even if I would never call myself a journalist.

In 2017 I visited my first seminar and had even more patient about tasting and judging beers on the private and semi-professional homebrew side.

In 2018 I overtook the leadership of the association and started to organize local homebrew competitions. I also took more patience about tasting beers and our monthly local homebrew meetups.
Part of being the leader of the biggest homebrewers association in Berlin is also, to stay InTouch with the local breweries, so i am really well connected in the beer scene of berlin and their own characteristic beers.

In 2019 I started to judge my first competition for our local homebrew Association. I also got my hands on one of the first tickets for the BJCP tasting exam in Germany and become a BJCP judge.

Read more..Show less..
Thomas

Thomas Vogel

Judge

Germany
Thomas Vogel, founder and CEO of the »Das Bier!« Brausysteme GmbH since 2003, has developed the brands „Dein Bier selbstgebraut“, „Braukoenig“ and „One2Clean“ and their products. (www.das-bier.com) He also has established a platform for selling and distributing craft beer (www.bier-spezialitaeten.de)...
Since 2010 he maintains the „Grafschafter Brauschule“ (www.brauschule.de)

Since 2007 he is certified Beer Sommelier and has been the first Beer Sommelier in North Germany, During 2008 and 2012 he was member of the managing board of the International Association of Certified Beer Sommeliers.

For 14 years now, he took part in more than 28 national, European and international beer competitions as a Judge as well as a Table Captain.

He is co-author of the well-known and official „Beer Color Chart“ (www.bierfarbkarte.eu), which is used as the official reference in several European and international beer competitions in the meanwhile.
Read more..Show less..
Aline

Aline Kluge

Judge

Germany
Aline is from Saxony and a pediatrics's nurse. Beer is her passion, which is why she has decided to become a qualified beer judge. Balancing family live with a busy job, still leaves time to enjoy craft.. beers and developing her skills set.
Read more..Show less..
Patricia

Patricia Diniz Fischer

Judge

Germany
Patrícia Diniz Fischer, graduated as a Master in Chemical Engineering at the Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal. Joined the VLB in 2010 to lead the Project Laboratory of the department for Brewing and Beverage Science and Applications, responsible for quality.. control analysis for research purposes. After adding more and more sensory related questions, she took over the leadership of the Sensory Team of the VLB, centralizing all the sensory related work and the teaching activities at the institute.

Sensory expert for Beer and Beer-mix beverages, certified by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) e.V.. Participated as a beer judge in international competitions, including the „VII Brazilian Beer Contest”, organized by Science of Beer Institute in Brasil, “World Beer Awards 2019“ in Germany and “Concurso Internacional de Cervezas Artesanas (CICA) 2021” in Spain.
Read more..Show less..
Mareike

Mareike Hasenbeck

Judge

Germany
Mareike Hasenbeck is a freelance journalist and one of the first craft beer bloggers in Germany with feinerhopfen.com. As a beer sommelier, sensory expert for beer and member of the Institute of Masters of Beer, she is an international beer.. judge. She also won the bronze medal at the German Beer Sommelier Championship in November 2021, qualifying her for the World Championship that year.
Read more..Show less..
Christian

Christian Leibig

Judge

Germany
Christian is the sales manager for Müllerbräu. He has been a beer sommelier since 2011 and hasalready been a judge at the World Beer Award, Meininger Beer Award and Selection.
Frank

Frank Christian

Judge

Germany
Frank Christian is a PhD biochemist by training and an avid homebrewer, with a passion for researching beer styles and developing recipes. He is the first National rank BJCP-certified beer judge in Germany.
Frank got into brewing his own beer in.. 2012 while living in Glasgow, Scotland, and went on to win multiple awards with his beers (e.g. overall winner of the IBD Scottish homebrew competition 2013). He now lives and brews in Aachen, Germany, is the co-founder and organiser of the monthly homebrew meetup of Aachener Hobbybrauer as well as an active member of Kölner Bierhistoriker e.V. homebrew clubs. He also organises and runs BJCP exams, off-flavour trainings and homebrewing workshops.

Read more..Show less..
Patrick

Patrick Murphy

Judge

Germany
Patrick Murphy is a certified Doemens Beer Sommelier and owner/operator of "Bambeerg", which gives historic brewery & beer tours of Bamberg and Franconia. He can usually be found hiking or taking the bicycle to the various breweries and beer.. gardens in the area around Bamberg, Germany!Read more..Show less..
Christian

Christian Dekant

Judge

Germany
After working for a Berlin Craft Brewery he began studying brewing science at the TU Berlin. Christian graduated as a master brewer at the TU Munich. Now he works as an editor for the trade magazine BRAUWELT. So far he.. has been a juror at various national beer competitions, and he is participating in the World Beer Cup for the second time as a juror.Read more..Show less..
Jeremy

Jeremy Swainson

Judge

United Kingdom
Jeremy Swainson is the Head Brewer at Utopian, an award winning lager focused brewery in Mid-Devon, established in 2018. His passion for lager brewing traditions and techniques developed early on during his apprenticeship at Privatbrauerei Bolten, Germany’s oldest Alt beer.. brewery. He went on to earn his Brewmasters at the Doemens Academy in Munich and then spent two years with the highly successful Camden Town Brewery in London.Read more..Show less..
Omer

Omer Basha

Judge

Israel
Omer Basha is a PhD biochemist by training and a home-brewer, a BJCP Master Beer Judge, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa regional representative in the BJCP. 
Omer started brewing in 2008 while studying for his undergraduate degree and won.. several medals for his beers. He now lives in Beer Sheva. Israel, is a co-founder of the first and largest home-brewing club in the Israel. He also organizes and proctors BJCP beer, mead and cider tasting exams, judging courses, off-flavor workshops, home brewing classes in the region and has an active YouTube channel about beer, mead and cider evaluation.Read more..Show less..
Will

Will Simmons

Judge

United Kingdom
Bill runs a beer consultancy working with small premium craft brewers, after spending many years working for quality regional breweries such as Samuel Smith, Batemans, Caledonian, Ruddles and Fullers.

He is also an international Beer Judge. World Beer.. Cup, World Beer Awards, GABF, Chinese Craft Beer Awards, IBC, Greek Beer Awards and Brazil Beer Cup are amongst some of the competitions he has judged. Bill has judged for many years at the Quality Food Awards not only on beer but also on the Food side where he is now a judge at the World Steak Challenge held annually.

Bill is a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers and has written features for the Chinese Craft Beer magazine One More. He also contributes to several trade features.
Read more..Show less..
John

John Porter

Judge

United Kingdom
John Porter has more than 30 years’ experience as a food and drink writer and journalist, and is accredited as a Beer Sommelier by the Beer & Cider Academy. He is co-director of PR consultancy ShielPorter Communications. John has hosted.. beer tastings, seminars and beer & food matching sessions at a wide range of industry, corporate and consumer events. John’s varied food & drink judging experience spans everything from the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain and the International Beer Challenge to the Fish & Chip Shop of the Year and Britain’s Best Pub Sausage. www.apieandapint.com
Read more..Show less..
Glyn

Glyn Roberts

Judge

United Kingdom
Now a professional photographer, I spent 28 years working in the beer industry; my jobs ranged from being a part-time barman to part-owning and operating a brewpub. I have been judging beers for more than decade now and it's always.. a pleasure to judge the World Beer Awards.Read more..Show less..
Constantin

Constantin Foertner

Judge

Germany
Constantin is an educated brewer from Bamberg. Holding his brewmaster since 2003, he has been a beer somelier since 2018. He currently is brewmaster at the Braumanufaktur Weyermann®, Bamberg and has judged at a number of global competitions.

"
Michael

Michael Friedrich

Judge

Germany
Michael Friedrich has a master’s degree in Brewing with more than 30 years of experience, and is manager of Stonewood Braumanufaktur. Since 2014, he is a beer sommelier with special interest for beer tastings. At the World Cup of Beer.. Sommeliers 2019, the third place went to Michael for his exciting presentation.Read more..Show less..
Nigel

Nigel Sadler

Judge

United Kingdom
Started brewing as a second career after the financial crisis of 2009. Went on to qualify with the Institute of Brewing & Distilling in malting, brewing and distilling and became a Beer Academy Beer Sommelier in 2011. Was SIBA Vice-Chair.. from 2013-2015 and Regional Chair of IBD Southern Section 2016-2018. Became a Cask Marque Assessor in 2015. Have judged a range of competitions from National to International level since 2010.Read more..Show less..
Laura

Laura Hadland

Judge

United Kingdom
Laura records the stories of communities, producers and the history of food & drink around the world. She is a freelance writer and photographer, and her book 50 Years of CAMRA was named Best UK Beer Book 2022 by Gourmand.. International.

Laura runs a creative agency called Thirst Media, supporting and amplifying small businesses like restaurants, winemakers and breweries. She hosts tastings of beers, wines and spirits for hundreds of guests each year.

She has been working in the industry for nearly 10 years and regularly judges drinks in all categories for the likes of the Guild of Fine Food, People's Choice, CAMRA and Which? along with a range of drinks marketing awards.
Read more..Show less..
Billy

Billy Abbott

Judge

United Kingdom
Billy Abbott is a drinks writer, educator and judge specialising in whisky. He judges for a number of competitions around the world across whisky, rum, Asian spirits and beer. His first book – The Philosophy of Whisky – was published.. in 2021 by the British Library.Read more..Show less..
Glynn

Glynn Davis

Judge

United Kingdom
Business journalist covering the food and drink industries including beer as editor of Beer Insider. Frequent judge of international beer competitions and co-owner of Bohem Brewery in North London.

Our sponsors

Rankin