Leonardo Sewald Cunha

Colorado, United States

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

I started as a homebrewer in south Brazil around 25 years ago. I created a homebrew club with some friends, and was getting close to a few fellow Brazilian breweries, who were very friendly towards homebrewers. Eventually, I decided to take it to the next level and earned a brewing degree at Siebel Institute in Chicago. That not only helped me get the brewing and entrepreneurial knowledge I needed but also exposed me to the values of American brewing: fun, camaraderie, creativity, and a serious commitment to quality.

Brazil didn’t have many breweries by the late 2000s, and none of the existing ones were focused on American styles of beer. With that in mind, the decision to start a brewery inspired by American beers in Brazil was an easy one. And it paid off: To this day, Seasons is viewed by consumers as one of the pioneer breweries in Brazil, something I’m really proud of because, to me, beer is so much more than just a beverage. Beer is history, science, culture, and entertainment. There’s a unique social aesthetic to beer, something that brings people together and makes them feel at home with each other. It’s just great!

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

So many things. There’s the learning aspect: I’ve been judging beers for almost 20 years but I’m always learning something new. Meeting fellow judges from around the world is also really cool. From a more personal point of view, being a judge at the World Beer Cup is a privilege; since I started in the brewing business and then became a beer judge, it has always been a dream of mine to be a part of this event.

Competitions like this help shape the world of beer. With so many different beer trends and beer scenes around the world, having a competition like the World Beer Cup raises the bar for everyone: high-level contests draw attention to brewers large and small. Their goals might be getting feedback or having a shot at an award, but what happens, in the end, is a celebration of quality. Each and every year we see higher quality beers on the table. As judges, we see the work of choosing the best beers getting harder and harder every year. And that’s great because that means there’s better beer out there for everyone. Competitions like the World Beer Cup play a big role in that.

Satoshi Murabayashi

Tokyo, Japan

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

Twenty years ago, in Japan, I did not have a chance to taste the diversity of craft beer. On a business trip to the United States, I was totally shocked by the quality, appearance, aroma, and flavor of craft beer. After that experience, I joined the Craft Beer Association and realized that education is important to understand the value of beer; that the quality of beers are critically important for better moments; and that collaboration among global associations and competitions is so important. I am now contributing as a teacher and competition manager for the International Beer Cup in Japan and the Japan Great Beer Awards.

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

My first World Beer Cup was in San Diego in 2012. I wanted to contribute to this industry by tasting great beer and giving comments for their innovation. As a person from Asia, I would also share my local expertise with beer and judges here. In addition, I wanted to experience a world-class competition for learning and improving our competitions in Japan.

Walt Chleva

Colorado, United States

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

I started off in the beer industry by working part time at my local homebrew store and wanted to take my brewing to the next level. I was able to get a position as a part time brewer for the brewery attached to the homebrew store and the rest is history.

Beer matters to me because from such a rich history comes the continued refinement and creation of a beverage that spans the world over. Beer has been enjoyed all around the world for thousands of years and poured into all sorts of vessels with many ingredients. Enjoying beer makes memories and is an experience that I feel blessed to be able to partake in, especially at this time in world history where the beer quality is at its peak.

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

I judge at the World Beer Cup because I have been in the beer industry for over 15 years and have loved seeing the increase in quality over the years. Brewers have been putting more effort into making quality paramount in the more recent years, making this last year’s judging experience the best one yet!

Judging beer at the World Beer Cup puts my skills to the test and allows me to continue my never-ending journey of sensory knowledge as I learn more each time I judge from some of the best in the world at determining the minute compounds created during the mash, the fermentation, or the packaging process.

Luc De Raedemaeker

Brussels, Belgium

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

‘Beer and life: If you have to eat and drink anyway, you might as well enjoy it.’ This is an important rule of life that I learned growing up in Brussels, where I developed an appreciation for the offerings from the Zenne valley, particularly the Geuze and Lambiek. I acquired my taste for beer as a student bartender and my expertise grew as I trained in Belgium and around the world. I am now a lecturer in zythology and chief editor of Bier Grand Cru. My first book, The Belgian Beer Book, has been hailed as the perfect guide to Belgian beer and beer culture. I am a regular speaker at food and beer festivals all over the world. I am also the co-founder and director of the Brussels Beer Challenge, a prestigious international beer competition.

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

Judging at the World Beer Cup is a chance to be part of a global celebration of beer, contribute to the industry’s growth and quality, and gain personal and professional enrichment through the experience. It holds a special place in my heart.