William Simmons

Kent, United Kingdom

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

I have over 30 years of experience in the brewing industry and have worked with regional brewers including Samuel Smith, Batemans, Ruddles, Caledonian, and Fullers. This was mainly on the commercial side, but with good access to the production side, too.

Ten years ago I decided to set up my own consultancy to use my expertise in off-trade, free trade, national accounts, and export to support the growing craft brewery industry. Passionate about this marketplace, I have worked closely with breweries such as Beavertown, Wimbledon, Old Dairy, and Westerham, as well as supporting a mobile canning operation with routes to market.

I have ten years of judging experience after being mentored by Derek Prentice and John Keeling. I also judge food at the Quality Food Awards and World Steak Challenge. Beer matters because it’s part of everyday life, and the pub is integral to this in the UK. My passion is and always will be great cask beer. It’s the food of life itself and should never be taken for granted. I love talking over a pint about beer to my dear friends and colleagues across the globe.

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

I judge at the World Beer Cup because it’s the most prestigious competition on the planet. The sheer quality and quantity of the entries is mind-boggling. Getting together with likeminded people from many different countries and sharing views and knowledge is essential for one’s education. The beer community is very diverse and the people are all knowledgeable and friendly, and willing to share their knowledge. It also makes me very proud that I am considered to be one of those chosen few to participate.

Ramiro Rodríguez

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

I started brewing beer in 2001 on the balcony of my mother’s house in Buenos Aires, Argentina. What began as a hobby quickly became a passion. In 2008, together with my brother, I opened a bar where we served the beers we brewed ourselves. Over time, that bar evolved into a brewpub, and later into a larger production brewery. Along this journey, I completed multiple professional brewing courses, including a Master Brewer program in Berlin. I also became a BJCP judge and remain committed to continuous education, regularly updating my technical knowledge and sensory skills. As the project grew, it also took us beyond Argentina. We brought our work to Berlin, where I continued developing as a brewer and expanding my perspective on beer styles and brewing cultures. Today, I am based in Spain, working on a new project together with my wife. Beer is a central part of my life. What started as a personal experiment became my profession, gave me lifelong friends, allowed me to travel widely, and continues to challenge and inspire me. Brewing is not just my work—it is something I deeply enjoy and respect.

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

I judge at the World Beer Cup because it’s a way to give back to the beer community that has been such an important part of my life. I enjoy evaluating beers with care and respect, and helping brewers through fair and constructive feedback. Judging at the World Beer Cup is both an honor and a learning experience. Tasting beers from all over the world alongside experienced judges keeps my palate sharp, broadens my perspective, and reinforces my commitment to quality and continuous improvement in brewing.

What else would you like the world to know?

I’m passionate about beer as both a craft and a cultural expression. I enjoy sharing knowledge, learning from others, and contributing to a global beer community built on respect, curiosity, and collaboration.

Tetsuya Kojima

Tokyo, Japan

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

Beer has completely changed my life. About 25 years ago, I was just a craft beer fan. One day, I attended a beer festival in Tokyo sponsored by the Craft Beer Association and saw a flyer for a Beer Judge Seminar. I became interested in the beer judge qualification program in Japan, and a few years later, I took the seminar and got certified as a beer judge.

About 10 years ago, I received a phone call from Ryouji Oda, former president of the Craft Beer Association, asking me to serve as a lecturer at the beer tasting program and beer judge qualification program sponsored by the association. Now, I’m a lecturer for the association, teaching beer tasting and judging methods at seminars. I’m also a competition director at Japanese beer competitions, such as the International Beer Cup and the Japan Great Beer Awards.

In fact, I don’t work in the beer industry. My actual job is as a computer science professor at a college in Tokyo. However, beer occupies a significant part of my life. I am, and always will be, very happy to spend my life in the world of craft beer.

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

My first judging experience at the World Beer Cup was in Nashville in 2018. As a certified beer judge, I wanted to contribute to events like this to help raise the quality of craft beer. This was the primary reason I joined the World Beer Cup. Another reason was my desire to stay updated on global trends in craft beer, which remains a crucial part of my experience at the WBC. I hope to judge new beer styles at every World Beer Cup. It’s an excellent learning opportunity for me, and I can share my experiences from the competition with my students and fellow beer judges in Japan.

Mohammed Reza

Lima, Peru

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

In 2013, the opportunity arose to manage one of Peru’s oldest breweries. While managing it, I began to delve deeper into the brewing and production processes, discovering a vast universe of experiences to explore. Later, I specialized in sensory analysis and became a certified judge 10 years ago, collaborating with various breweries on their quality control processes ever since.

Beer has accompanied humanity for millennia and continues to be with us to this day. It’s a beverage that has helped connect societies and cultures throughout time. Therefore, it is our duty to ensure that it continues to be an important part of daily life with quality products and high brewing standards.

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

When I took my beer judge certification exams, one of my goals was to be part of the judging panel for the world’s most prestigious competition: the World Beer Cup.

For me, it’s more than a dream come true; it’s a mix of excitement and responsibility to do a good job with every beer that passes through my hands. It’s a great honor to be a part of it.