Maria Sol Cravello

Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

While studying at university, I worked in a microbiology lab. I was fascinated by microorganisms and wanted to learn more about them. After earning my degree in food science, I was determined to find a job that combined microorganisms and food. How bacteria and yeast transform flavors and aromas was—and still is—impressive to me. Fortunately, I discovered the fantastic world of beer.

My first job after graduation was as sensory lead at the largest brewery in Argentina. Today, 12 years later, I still dedicate my career to educating and spreading beer knowledge and appreciation at every opportunity.

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 has been a dream of mine since I started my career. I remember attending Craft Brewers Conferences and WBC awards ceremonies, thinking, “Wow, will I ever be part of this huge event?” The day I received the invitation to judge in Las Vegas in 2024 was one of the best days of my beer career. I was so excited telling everyone about it that I almost forgot to reply to the email and nearly missed out on the competition!

The news was so big in my country that I was interviewed by the most important local newspapers about my experience as a judge representing Argentina. That’s how significant being a WBC judge is to me. 🙂

Alejandro Ancona

Quintana Roo, Mexico

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

I was always attracted by the science behind food, drinks and flavors. My journey began when I discovered wine, but I soon found out my personality has much more in common with the beer world. Living in a place with scarce beer culture, being a homebrewer and my passion for education, eventually got me to open a beer school in 2017, where today we train beer professionals around Mexico and Latin America. (@beerschoolmx)

Beer matters to me because it’s the perfect blend of ingredients provided by the earth and the passion of the human hand, to create a beverage that has been making people happy for over 10,000 years. That’s just amazing.

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

Judging beer professionally is one of the things in life I enjoy the most, and the World Beer Cup is the biggest competition in the planet. Being a part of such a global and amazing panel of brewers, judges and beer professionals is of course a great learning opportunity, but most importantly a great source of lifetime beer friends from many different countries.

Marty Nachel

Illinois, United States

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

After tasting beer on my first brewery tour, I realized exactly how good beer can be when it’s fresh and offered in many different styles. I knew immediately this was my new focus in life. I began brewing my own beer at home and submitting it to competitions. Following this, I became a beer judge with the Beer Judge Certification Program (the first in my home state) and began freelance writing on the topics of beer and brewing which eventually led to the publication of several books. Now I’m judging beer as a professional judge with international credentials.

Beer is important to me not just as a preferred beverage of choice, but also as a libation to be generously shared with others, and I consider it a link to our own human history.

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 first because I consider it a great privilege to evaluate some of the best beers in the world. Secondly, I appreciate the opportunity to meet and judge alongside my peers from other countries around the globe. I’m proud to be a member of the global beer judging community.

What else would you like the world to know?

It’s my goal to judge beer on every continent that has a commercial brewing industry.

Fernanda Meybom

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

I have always liked beer and my grandmother was a homebrewer.As a chemical engineer,I became more familiar with the fermentation process and the beer industry. After my graduation and a sommelier course, I decided to learn more about sensory analysis. I got involved with beer competitions and local homebrewers associations, including organizing competitions and conferences.I’m a master’s candidate in food engineering and beer science. I recently co-authored a chapter about pairing beer and food in Guia da Sommelieira de Cervejas (Beer Sommelier Guide), and co-authored a chapter about probiotic beer in Protocols in Technology of Probiotic Foods and Beverages for Springer Protocols. I’m also the technical advisor at the Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy of Santa Catarina in Brazil. I am an active BJCP Certified judge and for the last 10 years I have judged in international beer competitions in Chile, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, Belgium, Argentina, and Uruguay. I’m the co-founder of Passaporte Cervejeiro, a company that organizes beer travel groups to Belgium. I have taught several courses in Brazil. Writing and cooking are my passions, and after five years as a columnist for Revista da Cerveja (Magazine of Beer), I now share recipes at my own website.

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

The World Beer Cup is one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in the world, and winning a medal there is celebrated as a significant competitive achievement. Being selected for the judging team is therefore a great honor and an achievement for beer professionals, as well as a great responsibility to select the worthiest beers from among the entries. Being part of the World Beer Cup is a great validation of my hard work, study, and preparation in the beer industry, and a wonderful way to use my beer evaluation skills.