Ben Edmunds

Oregon, United States

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

My journey in beer began as an enthusiast of beer around the year 2000, initially as an extension of my interest in local food. Brewpubs in small towns around the East Coast seemed like hubs of local food and culture. I began homebrewing and really caught the craft beer bug when I moved to Colorado. Fast forward a few years: I decided to make a career out of my hobby, and I’ve been in the beer industry ever since.

To this day, I still am wowed by how broad and diverse beer is as a beverage. I view my profession as being part of a centuries-long tradition of craftsmanship, and the practice of brewing — of being a brewer — is at once humbling and satisfying. I find myself challenged to refine and improve my technical and creative skills again and again.

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

It’s difficult to imagine gathering a more talented and knowledgeable cohort of beer industry experts in a single place to taste and discuss beer. Getting to sit at the judge tables with my peers is an incredible privilege, and I know that engaging in those conversations makes me a better, more precise brewer.

Matthew Peetz

Colorado, United States

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

I started homebrewing in grad school while studying cellular repair using yeast as a model organism. My grad advisor was in charge of the Rocky Mountain Microbrewing Symposium and I was able to meet industry experts while volunteering at the event. I continued to work with yeast as a research professional at University of Colorado Denver before moving to the Brewing Science Institute. I used my expertise with propagating yeast to work in the biofuel industry before founding Inland Island with a co-worker. I have spent the last five years building my own business, Propagate Lab, which provides yeast for the brewing, distilling, and cider industries.

Beer is meant for enjoyment. It can transport you to anywhere in the world as you taste thousands of years of human experience and history. With hundreds of yeast, hop, grain, and other ingredient varieties, almost any flavor, texture, and color of beer can be produced for your enjoyment. You can pick apart the flavor, color, mouthfeel, and aroma. Or you can just slam down crushable lagers. That is what is so great about beer!

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

Beer is a wonderful combination of culture, history, art and science. Brewers work tirelessly to create something that the public can enjoy. Those that are masters of their craft should be recognized at the highest level, which is winning a World Beer Cup award. The brewers are serious about what they do and should be judged by knowledgeable and professional judges. I have 10 years of industry experience, lead sensory training programs at a local University, and have traveled extensively in Europe. I believe that I am well trained and passionate enough to make sure that every beer sample is being judged as it should be.

Walter König

Bavaria, Germany

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

I’ve never done anything other than beer and music! I grew up on a farm in a small village in Bavaria. There was a princely brewery in this village that was founded in 1598. Our neighbor was a brewer in this brewery and I often visited him in the brewhouse. I was fascinated by this craft and quickly became enthusiastic about the profession. At the age of 15, I began training as a brewer and maltster in this brewery. After several years of practical experience as a brewer, my career path took me to the Technical University of Munich, where I graduated as an engineer in brewing and beverage technology.

In Bavaria in particular, beer is closely associated with traditions, festivals, rituals and everyday life. There are many different beer styles for every occasion and every season. Due to my background in agriculture, I am primarily fascinated by the beer raw materials malting barley, wheat and of course hops and the conviction that a good beer needs nothing more than three ingredients, nature and the skill of the brewer.

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

I would like the German beer styles to be interpreted and judged at the jury tables in the way they have evolved from their tradition. I also enjoy exchanging ideas with judges from other countries and beer histories and discussing other beer styles and trends in the brewing industry.

Every brewer who submits a beer to the competition is entitled to transparent and honest feedback on their beer. It is therefore important to me that well-trained and focused judges give each beer the necessary attention. The World Beer Cup offers optimal conditions for this thanks to its organization and the online-based evaluation system. And despite the concentrated work, there is still enough freedom and many opportunities to get to know each other and have fun.

Kathia Zanatta

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

After finishing my food engineering degree in Brazil, I followed my love for beer. I landed an internship at Paulaner Brewery in Germany in 2005, where I delved into the world of brewing and embraced the country’s diverse beer culture. Upon my return, I transitioned into a role at a brewery in Brazil, where I honed my skills over a five-year period in areas such as quality control, research and development, and laboratory analysis. In 2008, I embarked on a journey to Germany for the Beer Sommelier course, marking my entry into Brazil’s burgeoning craft beer scene.

Equipped with this expertise, I began organizing beer events. By 2010, I co-founded Instituto da Cerveja, an educational institution dedicated to the art of beer, and since then I have been fully committed to studying (including a brewmaster course in 2011), impactful teaching, hosting beer and food events, and consulting.

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

I have been participating as a judge in beer competitions since 2009, consistently enjoying the opportunity to expand my knowledge of beer, sensory analysis, and the market. It’s not only a chance to connect with new colleagues, but also an opportunity to support breweries by engaging in discussions about their beers and providing valuable feedback.