William Simmons

Kent, United Kingdom

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

I have over 30 years of experience in the brewing industry and have worked with regional brewers including Samuel Smith, Batemans, Ruddles, Caledonian, and Fullers. This was mainly on the commercial side, but with good access to the production side, too.

Ten years ago I decided to set up my own consultancy to use my expertise in off-trade, free trade, national accounts, and export to support the growing craft brewery industry. Passionate about this marketplace, I have worked closely with breweries such as Beavertown, Wimbledon, Old Dairy, and Westerham, as well as supporting a mobile canning operation with routes to market.

I have ten years of judging experience after being mentored by Derek Prentice and John Keeling. I also judge food at the Quality Food Awards and World Steak Challenge. Beer matters because it’s part of everyday life, and the pub is integral to this in the UK. My passion is and always will be great cask beer. It’s the food of life itself and should never be taken for granted. I love talking over a pint about beer to my dear friends and colleagues across the globe.

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 it’s the most prestigious competition on the planet. The sheer quality and quantity of the entries is mind-boggling. Getting together with likeminded people from many different countries and sharing views and knowledge is essential for one’s education. The beer community is very diverse and the people are all knowledgeable and friendly, and willing to share their knowledge. It also makes me very proud that I am considered to be one of those chosen few to participate.

Mirella Amato

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

I have been working in the beer industry for over 15 years now. I was drawn to the industry because I wanted to raise awareness of, and appreciation for, my local craft beers. Beer is such a varied beverage and can be appreciated on many levels. There’s always more to learn about it and yet, as complex and multi-faceted as it is, it remains approachable.

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

I’m honored to have been judging at the World Beer Cup since 2010. For me, it’s a place to share my knowledge and passion. It’s a place to learn from my peers and continue to hone my palate. It’s a place to taste the latest interpretations of styles and spot emerging trends. It’s a community of like-minded people from all over the world that I look forward to reconnecting with every year to hear about what is going on in the world of beer internationally.

Marion Weinberger

Steinbach am Attersee, Austria

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

It all started in 2013 when I joined Heineken Brau Union Austria as a brand manager looking after three big beer brands in Austria. One year later the brewery sent me to get an education as a beer sommelier and it triggered my passion for beer. Beer is the most versatile drink in the world and I am still curious about it.

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

It is a very special contest to judge as one of a few of the Europeans and it’s a great honor to be part of it.

What else would you like the world to know?

I am the first Austrian female to be invited to judge in the World Beer Cup. 🙂

Ignacio Curto

Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

I started homebrewing in 2006 and in 2013, with some friends, started a commercial project so we could drink the beers we wanted. I left my aeronautical engineering job in R&D to work and live from beer (or at least try to, hehe).

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

It’s a great pleasure to judge beers, share experiences and knowledge with people from all over the world. Each time I travel thanks to beer I feel rewarded in many ways—friendship, pleasure, new ideas, knowledge. The World Beer Cup is probably the biggest opportunity to experience all this.