Walt Chleva

Colorado, United States

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

I started off when a buddy took me to Dry Dock Brewing when we were in the military together (he was in the Navy and I was in the Marine Corps). Loved the fact that the beer was so good, and the brewery had an attached homebrew store where he bought his homebrew equipment. We brewed a few batches together before I got my own equipment. I was hooked after I won my first medal in a competition, but wanted to make the beer better, so I started working at the homebrew store for fun (volunteered at first just to learn more, then got on the payroll). Eventually, I got on the brewing staff after showing the head brewer I’d been watching him for a while and could brew all by myself. He gave me a shot and I did a good enough job, he allowed me to join the team at Dry Dock and brewed professionally there for five years, at a peak time in CO brewing history where many great brewers cut their teeth in that brewhouse.

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 I’m driven to continually advance my judging palate and sensory expertise. The competition brings together exceptional judges from around the world—some of the best noses and taste buds in the brewing community—creating an unmatched environment for learning, discussion, and growth. Collaborating with these experts sharpens my skills, exposes me to diverse perspectives, and deepens my appreciation for the nuances of beer styles and quality. To me, judging at the World Beer Cup means contributing to the ongoing elevation of craft beer worldwide. By delivering precise, constructive feedback to breweries, we highlight strengths, identify potential improvements, and support innovation and consistency. This collective effort helps raise industry standards and ensures the overall quality of craft beer continues to rise, benefiting brewers and drinkers alike.

What else would you like the world to know?

Craft beer is truly extraordinary—a vibrant, ever-evolving celebration of creativity, tradition, and precision that delights palates worldwide. From bold American IPAs to delicate German lagers and innovative Belgian sours, brewers across dozens of countries pour passion into every batch, consistently raising the bar for quality and flavor. I’ve been to every continent and it’s inspiring to see how nations on every continent—North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and beyond—take immense pride in crafting world-class beers that stand shoulder-to-shoulder on the global stage. This shared dedication to excellence makes the craft beer community one of the most collaborative and forward-thinking in the beverage world. I feel deeply grateful and honored to judge at the World Beer Cup, the world’s premier beer competition. Rubbing elbows with some of the finest sensory experts and palates anywhere, I get to help identify and celebrate the absolute best beers on Earth. Being part of this rigorous, passionate process—evaluating, discussing, and recognizing true excellence—is a privilege I never take for granted. It’s a joy to contribute to shining a light on the world’s greatest brews.

Rex Tao Sha

Beijing, China

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

Ten years ago, I became one of the first BJCP judges on the Chinese mainland; in 2021, I became the first Advanced Cicerone in Asia; I have served as a judge in over 70 beer competitions. Beer, my Fortune. Beer, my Life.

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

WBC is the world’s largest international professional beer competition. I hope to taste and discuss beer with outstanding judges from all over the world in this competition. Through this process, I will gain a better understanding of beer and myself.

What else would you like the world to know?

As a beer judge and even more so as a beer observer, I aspire to observe everything related to beer.

Mirella Amato

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

I have been working in the beer industry for over 15 years now. I was drawn to the industry because I wanted to raise awareness of, and appreciation for, my local craft beers. Beer is such a varied beverage and can be appreciated on many levels. There’s always more to learn about it and yet, as complex and multi-faceted as it is, it remains approachable.

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

I’m honored to have been judging at the World Beer Cup since 2010. For me, it’s a place to share my knowledge and passion. It’s a place to learn from my peers and continue to hone my palate. It’s a place to taste the latest interpretations of styles and spot emerging trends. It’s a community of like-minded people from all over the world that I look forward to reconnecting with every year to hear about what is going on in the world of beer internationally.

Emin Cem Surer

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

My interest in beer began with curiosity at a young age. As a child, I was fascinated by the bright golden, foam-covered liquid on the table—something I was not allowed to drink, but often noticed how it made the people around the table smile. Once it became legal for me to drink, that curiosity turned into a passion. I traveled across countries, tasted beers, and took notes, but over time I realized that tasting alone wasn’t enough to truly understand beer unless you knew how it was made. That realization pushed me toward self-directed brewing education. I immersed myself in brewing literature, experimented through homebrewing, and gradually moved into formal certifications and judging. This journey eventually led me into the professional beer industry, where I now work as a brewer and lead a beautiful brewery. Beer matters to me because it has been part of human culture for more than 12,000 years and remains a vast, ever-evolving universe. No matter how much you learn, you never reach the end—and that endless depth feels like a lifelong journey into space. It brings together culture, science, craftsmanship, people, and—of course—smiles.

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

I first learned about the World Beer Cup many years ago and quickly understood that it is the biggest and most respected beer competition in the world. From that moment, becoming a WBC judge became one of my personal dreams. Judging at the World Beer Cup means a lot to me because it gives me the chance to support the global beer community and meet people who share the same love for beer. I am also really looking forward to being part of the conversations at the judging tables. Tasting the amazing beers in the competition is a nice bonus too.