John Haggerty
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
I started in the beer industry in 1993 while working in the kitchen of a brewpub in Seattle, The Big Time Brewing Co. I thought to myself, "Self, if you are going to work here you might as well learn how to do something cool, like make beer!" So really, I didn't know much about beer to begin with...I mean other than I liked to drink it. There wasn't much beer on offer in the late 80's and early 90's where I was living in southwest Ohio. So when I moved to Seattle in 1991 that was a real revelation. Anyway, one thing lead to another and here I am 33 years later! I love what beer can do for a community of people—it brings them together and helps them interact and have fun. Beer is a convivial beverage and it is the community that always develops around drinking a pint that I really love.
Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?
I love to participate in the WBC because I like being part of the evaluation process of the greatest beer event on the planet! I also find that there is incredible dialogue and interaction amongst the judges on how they think and feel about beer. It is very insightful and enlightening from a brewer's perspective. I find that I gain all sorts of ideas from simply sitting at the tables and discussing beer with my fellow judges. Additionally, I always find it recharges me and when I return to the brewery I have a renewed energy for what it is we do on a daily basis I find it to be a tremendous honor to be asked to help evaluate the beer entries in the competition. I take it quite seriously and am ecstatic that I have been asked to be part of such an internationally esteemed panel of beer professionals.
What else would you like the world to know?
The act of drinking a beer is really quite a simple exercise. It can be infinitely enjoyable particularly when you have a great group of friends and colleagues at hand to enjoy a point with! However, making a beer is infinitely complex. The people that do this for a living are extremely dedicated craftspeople. To accomplish what they do is a magical blend of science and creativity. Take time to get to know your local brewers. Offer them your feedback and input but keep in mind that the work that goes into it is backbreaking and physically and mentally challenging. That deserves your respect even if you don't care for their beer's particular outcome.
