Kevin Ashford

California, United States

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

I discovered craft beer in college while bartending at a restaurant in Harrisonburg, VA. We had about 100 rotating bottles and cans, and I was able to try one at the end of each shift. I was amazed at the variety in beer, and became fascinated by its history and regionality. After getting my degree in international affairs, I discovered I really just liked people and wanted to learn of ways to bring them together. Beer seemed like a good way to do that. I decided to forego my opportunity to work on Capitol Hill in D.C. to fall back on bartending and learn more about beer. One of my regulars at this bar in Maryland was a seasoned brewer at our midsized regional brewery. When I asked him one day if any floor sweeping jobs were available, his ears perked up. He set me up with an interview with the Brewmaster and I was hired on the spot. I fell in love with beer making, and the rest is history. Beer matters to me because it has withstood the test of time. It is a champion of bringing us all together.

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

I judge at the WBC to honor brewers past, present, and future. I believe consumers have the right to enjoy high quality beer, and WBC challenges brewers to provide beer of the highest quality. Judging at the World Beer Cup is so important to me, because I really care about beer and its history. I want to ensure that classic styles remain abundant for generations to enjoy. It is an honor to adjudicate beers from all over the world and share the enthusiasm for the past time of beer making.

Günter Wirth

Bayern, Germany

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

I grew up in a brewery. Our family brewery was founded in 1747, and today my wife and I run the business in the 10th generation. From an early age, beer was not just a product to me, but part of everyday life. I helped out in the brewery and the hospitality side of the business and quickly learned how much craftsmanship, responsibility, and passion go into making good beer. Choosing this path felt natural—it was never just a job, but a calling.

Beer is a cultural asset, a craft, and a way to bring people together. Whether in our hotel, our traditional inn, or our large beer garden, beer creates moments of connection and enjoyment. As a brewer, I value the honesty of beer—there is nowhere to hide. With only a few raw materials, you can create something with real character. Balancing tradition with modern brewing knowledge is what continues to inspire me.

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

Judging at the World Beer Cup is both an honor and a responsibility. It is one of the most important international competitions for beer quality. As a brewer from a long-standing family brewery, I want to contribute my experience while remaining open to new styles, ideas, and brewing cultures from around the world. The professional exchange with fellow judges and brewers is extremely valuable.

Shana Solarte

Chicago, United States

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

My start in beer was pure luck: I was fortunate enough to combine my background with my interest in beer and got my start working on the content team for Cicerone, which opened several doors that helped me learn a ton about hospitality, brewing, and the culture of beer. Beer matters to me because of its long history as a beverage of the people. Communities around the globe have integrated beermaking into their culture, and to this day it still has the incredible power to connect people.

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

One of the best parts of judging at the WBC is the rare opportunity to share beers with people I would never meet otherwise. Sharing a judging table with experts from around the world and hearing their perspectives is invaluable, and I can’t even begin to quantify what I have learned in those discussions. As a result of these connections, I have a deeper understanding of the cultures that surround and influence beer production, regional expectations, stylistic nuance, and so much more. I’m so grateful to have this experience year after year. Also…it’s hard work, but it is fun. Judging at the WBC means so much to me. It means I’ve put in the work and have earned my place alongside a group of judges I respect and admire. It also means that I have a responsibility to the brewers who have trusted us to provide useful feedback and help them understand what the competition is really like. I take this responsibility seriously and hope to do my part in bringing new perspectives to the table as well.

What else would you like the world to know?

Even with the industry’s ups and downs, we’re really lucky to be living in this era of beer. Judging is when it’s time to be serious, but the rest of the time? Beer is just good.

Markus Raupach

Bavaria, Germany

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

I was born and raised in Bamberg and practically imbibed our beer culture with my mother’s milk. As I grew older, beer first became my passion and then my profession, not only in Germany but all over the world. I am the author of over 60 books and games about beer, including the chronicle of the German Brewers’ Association, host Germany’s most successful beer podcast with over 250 episodes, am a beer judge at the most important competitions worldwide and train beer sommeliers and beer judges throughout Europe with the German Beer Academy. As a Nominated Beer Educator, I have also recently started doing this for WSET. And it’s really funny to see what has become of the first sips of Bamberg Rauchbier…

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

Judging at the World Beer Cup is special for me in many ways. For one, I get to learn about many different parts of U.S. beer culture and have already made many new friends across the U.S. Of course, I also learn a lot about the current and historical beers of the USA. On the other hand, I can bring my European-influenced, but also very extensive international experience to the table and share it with the judges. This results in exciting discussions, which are always enriching for everyone involved thanks to the different perspectives. I also really enjoy the supporting program and the CBC, which I always enjoy attending.