Domingo Otero
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
I got into the brewing industry because, from a young age—around 15 or 16—I started looking at food and drink as something inseparable. I became really interested in how food pairs with different beverages, and that curiosity naturally led me to explore beer. At first, I was tasting the beers that were available in my country, mostly German and American imports, though they didn’t always arrive in the freshest condition. In 2004, I traveled to California to study and work, and that’s where everything really clicked. I was exposed to a wide range of breweries and beer styles, and I completely fell in love with American IPAs and dark beers. That experience opened my eyes to what beer could really be. Beer is important to me because it’s a millennia-old beverage. It represents work, community, family, and friendship. Wherever we go, when we gather and raise a glass, it’s often a beer we’re sharing. Every ingredient has labor and history behind it. Every hop is fascinating—how it can completely change sensory profiles depending on where it’s grown. At the end of the day, beer is family, friends, and hard work. It’s an industry to protect, support, and help grow stronger.
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 represents the very best of what our industry can be. It’s the place where passion, technique, tradition, and innovation all meet on a global stage. Being invited to judge means sitting alongside some of the most respected brewers and sensory professionals in the world, and that alone is incredibly motivating. Judging at the World Beer Cup means a lot to me personally. It’s a reminder of why I fell in love with beer in the first place. Every beer on the table represents years of learning, risk-taking, hard work, and pride from a brewer somewhere in the world. Having the responsibility to evaluate that beer with fairness, focus, and respect is both humbling and energizing. For me, it’s also about giving back. Being part of that process allows me to support brewers, celebrate excellence, and contribute to the growth of a global beer community that truly feels like family. At the end of the day, judging at the World Beer Cup isn’t just about medals—it’s about honoring the craft, the people behind it, and the shared love of great beer.
What else would you like the world to know?
I would love for the world to know more about Panamanian beer and everything we’re building in my country. Panama may be a small country, but we have a strong and diverse craft beer culture. We brew all kinds of beers—everything from Belgian-style ales to Polish-inspired beers, American styles, European classics, and clean German lagers. What truly excites me is the opportunity to keep representing my country on a global stage whenever I’m invited to events like this. Competitions of this level allow me to continue spreading the language of beer, building culture, and helping place our industry where it deserves to be. I also believe strongly in supporting the people behind the beer. This industry is about brewers, teams, and community, and it’s important that we continue fighting for this movement—so that instead of declining, it grows again and regains the strength and momentum it once had. My goal is to help push Panamanian craft beer as high as possible and to keep that momentum moving forward.
