Jason Koehler

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

In 2006 after just six months of marriage, the Japanese airline my wife worked for recalled her back to the mothership in Tokyo, and I had a decision to make...stay and finish an MBA, or dive headfirst into adventure. I chose adventure and quit my cushy job, dropped out of the MBA course, sold most of my worldly possessions, and moved to a country I'd only visited once before. Along the way, I started courses at Siebel, and with my homebrewing experience it was enough to land me a brewing job in Japan. After some years of consulting, my business partners and I opened DevilCraft in 2011, and now operate five taprooms and a production facility. My wife left her airline job and founded an import trading company distributing craft beer and beer ingredients—beer is a cornerstone of our relationship. A beer fan long before starting brewing, honing the craft has become one of the focal points of my life. Even 20 years after that first professional job, the process still intrigues and fascinates me. I love how combining continuous learning and improvement with a little love can combine to make something beautiful.

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

The World Beer Cup is by far, the most prestigious beer competition in the world. Being a small part of that greatness is both humbling and awe-inspiring. The sensory abilities of my fellow judges is incredible to behold, and a constant reminder that we can and should be always be improving our own sensory faculties. Many industry greats choose to assist with World Beer Cup evaluations, and I am honored to have a seat at the table with them and work diligently to uphold the standard that they set.

What else would you like the world to know?

Being chosen as a WBC judge and winning several WBC medals have been among the highlights of my 20 year career in beer!