Bastian Leikeim
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
My family has been in brewing since 1887, and I represent the fifth generation. Growing up around the brewery, beer was never just a product to me—it was part of everyday life: the smell of malt in the morning, conversations with brewers, and the pride of seeing our bottles on local tables. I entered the industry naturally, through responsibility for a heritage built over more than a century. Beer matters to me because it connects tradition with the future. It stands for craftsmanship, regional agriculture, and honest work along a local value chain—from hop growers to small retailers. At the same time, brewing today means adapting: developing alcohol-free beers, responding to changing consumer habits, and protecting independent regional brands in a highly competitive market. Every decision carries the weight of generations before me and the future of our employees and community. Beer brings people together at festivals, family gatherings, and everyday moments. For me, it is Heimat in a glass—a symbol of identity, continuity, and responsibility to keep our brewing culture alive for the next generation.
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 is the most inspiring and demanding stage our industry has. Tasting alongside the world’s best brewers sharpens my senses and my understanding of quality in a way no textbook can. It is a privilege to contribute to a competition that sets global benchmarks for craftsmanship. For me, judging is not about ranking winners, but about learning. Each beer tells a story of raw materials, brewing culture, and the people behind it. Evaluating those beers reminds me how diverse and creative our industry is, and how much responsibility we have to respect tradition while encouraging innovation. Coming from a family brewery in its fifth generation, I see the World Beer Cup as a bridge between heritage and the future. The experience I bring home helps improve our own beers and keeps us humble and curious. Judging means being part of a global community that shares the same passion: protecting quality and celebrating beer as a craft and culture.
What else would you like the world to know?
What I would like the world to know is this: beer is the greatest cultural beverage on earth. No other drink combines nature, craftsmanship, history, and community in such a unique way. Beer connects people across generations and borders. It belongs to everyday life and to celebrations, to small village inns and to the world’s biggest stages. Behind every glass stand farmers, brewers, and families who care deeply about quality and heritage. In a fast-moving world, beer reminds us to slow down, share a table, and enjoy real craftsmanship. Protecting beer means protecting regional identity, social culture, and one of humanity’s oldest and most meaningful traditions.
