World Class Judges

Bruna de Oliveira

Sao Paulo, Brazil

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

During my chemical engineering degree, I had the opportunity to intern at Grupo Petrópolis, a Brazilian company with 100% national capital. I enjoyed this experience and realized that the beverage industry fascinated me, though I hadn’t yet identified the area I connected with most. After graduating, I had the chance to return to the company, this time as a professional in the quality assurance department, focusing on beverage sensory analysis. It was then that I realized this area was the perfect fit for me, and I’ve continued my career in this sector with a great passion for what I do. Beer is important to me because it has helped me find and develop myself as a professional.

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

Based on my experience and training in sensory analysis and beer, I naturally set some career goals. One of them was to become an international judge, and in 2024, my opportunity arrived. I had the honor of being part of the sensory panel at the World Beer Cup. I feel fulfilled to have been part of a competition recognized worldwide for its excellence and quality. I learned a great deal during the competition and returned home with immense gratitude.

Gabriela Montandon

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

My journey into the beer industry began as a hobby that eventually grew into a passion for both academic and craft brewing. As one of the first certified judges at the time, I opened a craft brewery and pursued a Ph.D. in the field, all while actively judging beers. These experiences allowed me to combine my love for brewing with my scientific curiosity. Over time, my interest in fermentation science deepened, leading me to focus on beer evaluation and sensory analysis. Today, I lead research projects at Fermentis, where I continuously explore the complex dynamics of yeast, fermentation, and flavor—an area that remains both challenging and rewarding in my career.

Beer matters to me because it represents much more than just a drink—it’s a blend of science, culture, and craftsmanship. With more than 15 years of experience evaluating beers and examining the intricate relationships between microbial dynamics and flavor expression, I have gained a profound appreciation for the creativity and precision that brewing requires. Beyond its technical aspects, beer connects people and tells a rich story of tradition and innovation. Being part of this ever-evolving industry is incredibly rewarding, and I feel fortunate to contribute to its growth and development.

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 allows me to contribute to the global beer community while applying my expertise in sensory analysis and beer evaluation. With more than 15 years of experience in the field, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the nuances in beer styles and flavor profiles, which I bring to the judging process. It’s also an opportunity to engage with other experts, share knowledge, and help maintain high standards of quality and innovation in the industry.

For me, judging at the World Beer Cup is both an honor and a responsibility. It’s a chance to be part of one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world, where brewers showcase their passion, creativity, and technical skill. It also means helping to uphold the values of fairness and excellence in beer production. Personally, it’s a meaningful way to stay connected with the global beer community and to celebrate the diversity and craftsmanship that make the industry so vibrant.

Evangelos Gletsos

New Mexico, United States

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

While sunbathing in Boulder, Colorado, in 1994, I’d heard an ad for the GABF and thought, “Man, I’d love to go to that!” Within four months I’d taken up homebrewing. With my degree in chemical engineering, I’d turned homebrewing into a profession (working for the Rock Bottom), and won a GABF medal in 2007. My next step was to become a BJCP certified beer judge. Within a few years, I was accepted to be a GABF judge, and shortly thereafter, a World Beer Cup judge. For me, brewing beer is a multi-millennia art that transcends borders, cultures, languages, races, and religions. It is a common bond that can make friends of strangers in moments, and celebrations magical. Sitting down and having a pint with a companion or a group of friends is one of life’s great pleasures and should be practiced often the world round.

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 for many reasons. First and foremost to bring accolades and recognition to the best beers and brewers in the world, period. Furthermore, I like to provide positive feedback to the hardworking brewers out there to make their art the best it can possibly be. My hope is that through their efforts and my feedback, constantly improving quality and flavors are available to more and more beer lovers. I am honored and humbled that I have been given the responsibility to judge the World Beer Cup and take the utmost care to provide the best and most constructive comments back to the brewers. I feel that every medal I’ve ever awarded at the World Beer Cup has been solidly deserved by a brewer that has put a masterpiece on display. Finally, with all honesty and modesty, I REALLY, REALLY LOVE TASTING THE BEST BEERS IN THE WORLD.

Sylvia Kopp

Berlin, Germany

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

As an author, speaker, and teacher on beer culture, beer styles, beer tasting, and the sensory evaluation of hops, I have been a recognized advocate of genuine innovation for 20 years. I am convinced that true creativity, which arises from a connection with one’s core values, will always drive development—unlike fear-driven reactions to economic demands that lead to boredom and stagnation.

I have been a trainer at the BarthHaas Hops Academy since 2019. I founded and directed the Berlin Beer Academy and worked for several years as an ambassador for American craft beer for the Brewers Association across Europe. Throughout my career, I have published numerous books and articles, and I recently co-founded Women4Beverages, a network for women in the industry, at BrauBeviale in Nuremberg. My latest project, a series of video interviews and text portraits, highlights female role models in the beverage industry.

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

Judging has been the key to my entry into the world of beer culture. I’m proud to be a long-term judge at both the World Beer Cup and European Beer Star, which I joined when they were the only two major competitions in Europe and America. It’s an honor to be invited back each time. Nowhere else have I learned as much about beer flavors, styles, and global beer cultures as I have at the judging tables of the World Beer Cup. I truly appreciate the discussions and exchanges with international brewers and fellow beer professionals. I always return home with fresh inspiration and new stories to publish in our magazines.

Mark Zunkel

Nuremberg, Germany

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

I studied my undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado, Boulder. There, I was able to experience the craft brewing scene, but my true inspiration for brewing started during a study abroad year in Regensburg, Germany. I fell in love with lager beer and German brewing traditions. After returning to finish my studies, I started homebrewing. That accelerated my interest in beer and brewing, after which I applied and studied at the Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan. After graduating, I started working with the world’s largest hop supplier, BarthHaas, as a technical manager. My passion lies in the tasting and technology of beer. Hops as a raw ingredient are the core of my passion. The composition, aroma, cultivation regions, and the individuals involved in the hop industry are central to my passion for beer.

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

I judge for many reasons: Meeting with beer industry colleagues, debating beer and beer styles, and experiencing the quality of beer in the market. The most interesting categories for me are all hoppy styles, but also the experimental categories where a brewer’s imagination can run wild.

First and foremost though, the World Beer Cup is for brewers and their customers. Therein lies the value for everyone in the industry and the most important reason why all the judges, breweries, and beer consumers should praise one of most important beer events in the world!

Emily Vegas

Thüringen, Germany

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

For me, beer is everything; it’s both my profession and my hobby. When I’m not working at the brewery, I’m judging competitions, reading books about beer, taking courses, or simply enjoying some beers. My life has meaning, thanks to beer.

I started working at Polar Brewery in Venezuela in 2015 after graduating as a biologist. I began as a brewer apprentice and then moved to Germany, where I worked at Doemens Academy in the laboratory and pilot plant. There, I took a course to become a brewmaster and graduated in 2019. After becoming a brewmaster, I started working at the Institut Romeis, performing chemical and analytical controls for breweries in Germany and around the world.

In 2021, I began working for Oettinger Brewery as a quality assurance specialist (microbiology and chemistry), and since January 2023, I’ve been working for Paulaner, also in quality assurance. During my first two years in Germany, I served as a steward for the European Beer Star Competition, and in 2021, I started judging various beer competitions, including the Austrian Beer Challenge, Concours de Lyon, African Beer Cup, World Beer Cup, and Women’s Trophy.

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

I had already judged in several competitions in Europe, and I dreamed of participating as a juror in the largest competitions in the world and in other countries outside Europe. That’s why I applied for the World Beer Cup—it’s one of the most important competitions globally. I also wanted the opportunity to meet amazing professionals from around the world and learn more about beer. It’s truly wonderful, and I’m very proud of it.

Markus Raupach

Bavaria, Germany

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

I was born and raised in Bamberg and practically imbibed our beer culture with my mother’s milk. As I grew older, beer first became my passion and then my profession, not only in Germany but all over the world. I am the author of over 60 books and games about beer, including the chronicle of the German Brewers’ Association, host Germany’s most successful beer podcast with over 250 episodes, am a beer judge at the most important competitions worldwide and train beer sommeliers and beer judges throughout Europe with the German Beer Academy. As a Nominated Beer Educator, I have also recently started doing this for WSET. And it’s really funny to see what has become of the first sips of Bamberg Rauchbier…

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 special for me in many ways. For one, I get to learn about many different parts of U.S. beer culture and have already made many new friends across the U.S. Of course, I also learn a lot about the current and historical beers of the USA. On the other hand, I can bring my European-influenced, but also very extensive international experience to the table and share it with the judges. This results in exciting discussions, which are always enriching for everyone involved thanks to the different perspectives. I also really enjoy the supporting program and the CBC, which I always enjoy attending.

Walter König

Bavaria, Germany

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

I’ve never done anything other than beer and music! I grew up on a farm in a small village in Bavaria. There was a princely brewery in this village that was founded in 1598. Our neighbor was a brewer in this brewery and I often visited him in the brewhouse. I was fascinated by this craft and quickly became enthusiastic about the profession. At the age of 15, I began training as a brewer and maltster in this brewery. After several years of practical experience as a brewer, my career path took me to the Technical University of Munich, where I graduated as an engineer in brewing and beverage technology.

In Bavaria in particular, beer is closely associated with traditions, festivals, rituals and everyday life. There are many different beer styles for every occasion and every season. Due to my background in agriculture, I am primarily fascinated by the beer raw materials malting barley, wheat and of course hops and the conviction that a good beer needs nothing more than three ingredients, nature and the skill of the brewer.

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

I would like the German beer styles to be interpreted and judged at the jury tables in the way they have evolved from their tradition. I also enjoy exchanging ideas with judges from other countries and beer histories and discussing other beer styles and trends in the brewing industry.

Every brewer who submits a beer to the competition is entitled to transparent and honest feedback on their beer. It is therefore important to me that well-trained and focused judges give each beer the necessary attention. The World Beer Cup offers optimal conditions for this thanks to its organization and the online-based evaluation system. And despite the concentrated work, there is still enough freedom and many opportunities to get to know each other and have fun.

Rick Kempen

Noord Holland, Netherlands

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

For well over thirty years, my life has been all about beer. Flunking out of university because of my side job as a waiter in De Pilsener Club turned out to be one of the best things to happen to me. In 1998, I joined Bier&cO, one of Europe’s leading beer import and distribution companies, dedicated to bringing craft beer from all over the globe to the people.

Having held various positions within Bier&cO, I eventually shaped its export department by representing a handful of American craft breweries. Together with a handful of others we pioneered the European market which helped start a European ‘beer revolution.’

Today, I am beer ambassador at Bier&cO, traveling around the globe, promoting and educating about a portfolio of special, exciting, and one-of-a-kind craft beers. I am a certified beer sommelier (Doemens Diplom-Biersommelier) and co-founded Dutch Beer Week as well as the Dutch Beer Challenge, a competition for Dutch beers. I like to see myself as a professional beer connoisseur who has had the pleasure of making a hobby out of his work. Beer, consequently, means everything to me!

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

Judging at World Beer Cup means you get to learn from fellow judges from all over the world, all bringing their specific expertise. Talking with your peers is a rare opportunity to better yourself in beer. Also, it gives you the opportunity to taste beers from breweries who take their business and craftmanship seriously. They dare to have their beers evaluated by professionals, using their feedback to improve their creations. Contributing to that, and doing that by tasting some of the best beers in the world without knowing what they are, is a huge honor, privilege, and pleasure.

What else would you like the world to know?

Participating as a brewery, you not only compete for awards, but you get valuable feedback from a professional and skilled group of tasters. Do it!

Lotte Peplow

Greater London, United Kingdom

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

I’ve been in the beer industry all my career but initially on the periphery, and I came to it through the PR and marketing route. As the craft beer world grew so did my interest and passion for the subject. I was lucky enough to begin my long relationship with the Brewers Association back in 2006 and I gradually took on more responsibility. My role widened until in 2019 when I was appointed American craft beer ambassador for Europe. It’s an honor and a privilege to work for the Brewers Association and I’m incredibly proud to represent them either when traveling overseas or at home in the UK.

For me, beer is not just a career but a way of life. I love the wide variety of flavors and aromas found in beer. It’s super versatile and makes the perfect food accompaniment. I love the beer community and the people who make this industry special. Everyone is friendly, welcoming, and united in a shared appreciation of this beautiful beverage. It’s a uniquely collaborative space and I count myself very lucky to be associated with some of the most talented brewing minds in the industry.

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

Judging in the World Beer Cup is the pinnacle of my beer journey and the gold standard in beer judging. It’s like competing at the Olympics! The quality of the competition is second to none — from the world class quality of the entries to the high standards of the judges and the professional, smooth-running organization behind the scenes. Of all the competitions I’ve judged around the world, the World Beer Cup is the biggest, most prestigious, most international, best-organized and most professional of them all — in my humble opinion, of course!

Being selected as a judge for the World Beer Cup is a huge honor and fills me with pride. I love judging because it focuses my mind on everything I’ve learned about beer and brewing. Much like an Olympic athlete, I have to be at the very top of my game and that’s an exciting and thrilling prospect.

I have only judged one World Beer Cup so far (2023 in Nashville) but was completely blown away by the standard of entries, quality of the judges, and organization of the competition. It was an enormously rich and rewarding personal experience and one I hope to repeat again soon.

What else would you like the world to know?

I play hockey (that’s field hockey to my American friends!) for a Club in southwest London and have done for many years. It’s great fun, a chance to run around and blow away the cobwebs before a beer in the bar afterwards. Last season we were undefeated and won promotion to a higher league. This season may be different! I’m married with three grown up children and one very lively dog.

Carlo Graciano

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

I started home brewing in 2009 and fell in love with beer industry. I co-founded my first brewery in 2014, Santo Domingo Brewing Co. We started small and grew to a 10bbl system. I was the COO overseeing the brewers. In 2016, I co-founded Cerveceria Punta Cana, and we started importing our flagship beer, Canita, with the intention to gain market to be able to start with a bigger brewery. I sold SDBC in 2020. Our first locally brewed Canita came out April 2021, that year we brewed 1,400 HL and we have grown to almost 24,000 HL a year.

I started my formal beer education in 2018 with the Cicerone Certification Program and in 2019 obtained the Certified Cicerone level and in 2024 the Advanced Cicerone level.

I started judging beer in 2019, and been traveling to beer cups every year after the pandemic to Colombia, Mexico, Brasil, Argentina, and the World Beer Cup in 2024.

Beers is not only a job for me. It is a way of life, and traveling to different beers competitions has become my way of meeting new people and seeing new places.

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 means judging the best beers in the world with the best judges out there. It means that at each table you share feedback with judges with vast experience in the styles being judged.

Jose R Ruiz

Chih, Mexico

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

I started homebrewing back in 2001 and then moved for work to live in Michigan, there I met some brewing friends that were also Bee Judge Certification Program judges. They taught me how to brew all grain batches and then I took a course to become BJCP Certified. In 2008, on returning to to Mexico I wanted to open up a microbrewery, but I found out that there were no suppliers for ingredients in Mexico. I started looking for suppliers that were willing to have a new distributor in Mexico and that is how I set up Micervesa, the first brewing supply company in Mexico. After that I was invited to organize the first BJCP beer competition in Mexico, since I was the only BJCP Certified judge at that time, and that is how Copa Cerveza Mx started and became the most important Beer competition in Mexico.

Beer matters to me because I see it as a social drink that unites people and countries. Beer is one of the few things countries have in common as a drink, but of course with a great diversity of styles. Beer is fun and it is best shared with friends.

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

Being a judge at the World Beer Cup is a tremendous honor, as it allows me to participate in the most prestigious beer competition worldwide. It is a great opportunity to meet new beer judges and share and learn from their experience, and explore the beer culture from their countries and cities. It is also a great responsibility to judge and select the best beers on the table that will be given awards, knowing that they mean a lot for each brewery.

I think beer competitions are a great motivation for brewers to do their best effort and keep brewing excellent beer, and this elevates the overall beer culture and experience to the end consumer.