Malin Norman
How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?
For me, it all started when I visited Argentina, more than 10 years ago. The craft beer scene was buzzing, with many great breweries and taprooms opening, and I just had to tell the story. This is where I wrote my first beer article, interviewed brewers and beer experts, and decided to become a beer judge myself. The article was published in Taps Magazine, Canada, in July 2015—and I haven’t looked back since. What’s amazing is that I’m still in touch with some of the brewers I met and interviewed back then; fantastic people who shared their knowledge, not just about beer but also about their country, its history and culture. You see, this is what I love about the beer community: it’s so welcoming and immersive, wherever you happen to be in the world. It’s never just about the beer; it’s about where it’s made, the people who make it, and the people who drink it—together.
Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?
When I interviewed brewers in Argentina, most of them were BJCP judges and some of them had judged at the World Beer Cup. From the outset, it was my goal to do the same. So, with this in mind, I did a beer sommelier certification. I became a Certified Cicerone® and a BJCP certified beer judge. Having judged numerous competitions around the world, I was eventually invited to be on the panel of judges at the World Beer Cup—what an honor and a privilege! The World Beer Cup is not just a competition that showcases some of the best beers in the world, it’s also a fantastic group of experienced beer judges coming together. Some are brewers themselves, some are sommeliers and educators, some are beer writers—a diverse panel, but what we have in common is that we’re all excited to be part of the World Beer Cup community.
