John Novotny
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
At the age of 18, I walked into a local brewpub with a couple bottles of my homebrew and asked the Brewmaster for a job. I was laughed at. A big guy with dread locks and a beard. I stood tall and proud and said, "I will work for free and volunteer my time to prove my interest." They were sold on free labor, I guess. Long story short, I did that for about six months, and they finally put me on payroll. The science, process, and the dynamics on all the ingredients in producing beer resonates with me.
Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?
This will be my first experience with the World Beer Cup. I have participated in the GABF a number of times and have developed an immense respect for the process and the entrants. It is an astonishing process to be a part of and certainly a wonderful experience. I think for me, the most fulfilling part of judging is the opportunity to meet a lot of people with amazing experiences and talk beer.
