Manu Gouwy

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

My passion for beer, technology, and the brewing process began during my student internship at Brewery St-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren in 2011. After completing my studies as an Industrial Engineer in Biochemistry, with a specialization in malting and brewing, I started my professional career as Production Responsible at geuze blender Oud Beersel. There, I developed strong expertise in spontaneous fermentation, wooden barrel management, and the sensory evaluation required for the product development. Driven by the same passion, I broadened my experience as Global Sales Manager Craft Breweries at Meura, followed by my role as Project Manager Master Plan at Brasserie St-Feuillien. In this position, I was responsible for both the civil and process aspects of a new greenfield brewery with a future annual capacity of 120,000 hl, guiding the project from initial concept through commissioning and fine-tuning within two and a half years. Today, I continue to develop my expertise at Brouwerij De Brabandere as Production Manager Liquid, responsible for the hot and cold block, new recipe development, and technical and process-related projects. Beer matters to me because it connects tradition, innovation, and people, and offers endless opportunities to create meaningful value.

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

My international judging journey began in 2016 at the World Beer Cup in Philadelphia. From the start, I was impressed by the high level of professionalism and the detailed organization of the competition. The opportunity to judge alongside a truly international panel and to exchange insights with experienced co-judges makes the event both intellectually rewarding and inspiring. Being selected as a judge is something I consider a great honor and a responsibility within the most prestigious beer competition in the world. Judging at the World Beer Cup also allows me to closely follow how beer styles evolve worldwide, year after year. Tasting and evaluating beers from such a broad international context continuously sharpens my sensory skills and deepens my understanding of quality and innovation across styles.