Lucy Corne

Cape Town, South Africa

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I had been working as a freelance travel writer for several years when I moved to South Africa in 2010. I decided to diversify my writing portfolio, as travel is tricky and expensive in Africa. The craft beer scene was just about to take off, so I started writing a beer blog for a local travel magazine. The blog became a book, and later I was approached by a publisher looking for an editor for South Africa’s first beer magazine—a job I ended up doing for six years. Along the way, I took the BJCP exam (four times), passed the Certified and Advanced Cicerone exams, and spent a lot of time running beer appreciation courses for the industry and the general public.

I now run the African Beer Cup, Africa’s biggest beer competition, as well as South African National Beer Day, and am a partner in BeerEx Africa. I went from being a travel writer who occasionally wrote about beer to having beer pretty much take over my life—in the best possible way. It’s a wonderful, welcoming industry that I’m proud to be part of.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

It is a matter of great prestige to judge in the World Beer Cup, and I’m honored to have been part of the judging team again in 2024—my second time judging in the competition. Judging alongside industry legends and experts is an endless source of knowledge, and it’s also a great networking opportunity.

Diego Setti

Florida, United States

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I started homebrwing in 2010 in Buenos Aires, and became a Beer Judge Certification Program judge in 2012. Between 2012 and 2017, I gave many talks and trainings for the Asociación Civil Somos Cerveceros, which is the Argentine equivalent of the American Homebrewers Association.

In 2016, after a 6 months stay in Germany, I started doing some beer styles consultancies. In 2017, I quit my IT job to focus 100% on beer. I started a beer education institute called Zeta Atelier de Cervezas, offering a wide range of trainings and courses for beer enthusiasts and professionals. During that time I also became a Certified Cicerone and a Doemens Academie Biersommelier.

All that called the attention of many investors and entrepreneurs, so I accepted an offer to join the team of Prison Pals Brewing Company at the end of 2019 and I moved to Florida in 2020 to start that project, where I designed the layout and all the technical specs of the brewery. Now I’m working as brewmaster.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

The World Beer Cup is one of the most prestigious beer competitions around the world and for sure is the biggest of all of them. It takes a lot of effort to become a part of the tasting panel: I applied for the first time in 2017 for the 2018 edition and for different reasons I’ve been able to have the honor of judging here for the first time in 2023. It’s a unique experience, where you taste world-class beers with a top notch tasting panel from every corner of the world.

Rick Kempen

Noord Holland, Netherlands

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

For well over thirty years, my life has been all about beer. Flunking out of university because of my side job as a waiter in De Pilsener Club turned out to be one of the best things to happen to me. In 1998, I joined Bier&cO, one of Europe’s leading beer import and distribution companies, dedicated to bringing craft beer from all over the globe to the people.

Having held various positions within Bier&cO, I eventually shaped its export department by representing a handful of American craft breweries. Together with a handful of others we pioneered the European market which helped start a European ‘beer revolution.’

Today, I am beer ambassador at Bier&cO, traveling around the globe, promoting and educating about a portfolio of special, exciting, and one-of-a-kind craft beers. I am a certified beer sommelier (Doemens Diplom-Biersommelier) and co-founded Dutch Beer Week as well as the Dutch Beer Challenge, a competition for Dutch beers. I like to see myself as a professional beer connoisseur who has had the pleasure of making a hobby out of his work. Beer, consequently, means everything to me!

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

Judging at World Beer Cup means you get to learn from fellow judges from all over the world, all bringing their specific expertise. Talking with your peers is a rare opportunity to better yourself in beer. Also, it gives you the opportunity to taste beers from breweries who take their business and craftmanship seriously. They dare to have their beers evaluated by professionals, using their feedback to improve their creations. Contributing to that, and doing that by tasting some of the best beers in the world without knowing what they are, is a huge honor, privilege, and pleasure.

What else would you like the world to know?

Participating as a brewery, you not only compete for awards, but you get valuable feedback from a professional and skilled group of tasters. Do it!

Matt Reich

Virginia, United States

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I began homebrewing in the early 1990s, learning under the tutelage of “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing” by Charlie Papazian. After several years and an ever-growing home brewery, I decided to take the plunge into the world of professional brewing. I went to Germany, where I trained under a Bavarian brewmaster for the better part of a year. Upon my return to the U.S., I signed on as head brewer of a regional craft brewery for nearly a decade. I’ve since transitioned to a support role for a large macrobrewery and have been in that position for 15 years.

Throughout all my experiences in the brewing industry, one constant has remained: the camaraderie and unity among everyone. Beer is the common bond that has held us—and all of civilization—together throughout history, and I feel honored to be part of this community.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

As one would expect, this level of respect and support is deeply embedded in the World Beer Cup judging community. Each year, we are exposed to new beers, experiences, and innovative ideas from diverse brewers who are constantly raising the bar for beer quality and styles. I’m proud to contribute to our family of beer advocates and brewers.