World Class Judges

Nathan Keffer

Quito, Ecuador

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

After helping to open a backpackers hostel and bed-and-breakfast in 2012 in Quito, Ecuador, we quickly saw a demand for craft beer. We had guests from all over the world passing through, and many often asked where they could get a good pint. At that time, the only options available were the typical commercial national lagers that small Latin American countries have. Having just graduated from the University of Oregon, we were very familiar with the amazing options local craft beer had to offer, so we started brewing in Ecuador in hopes of serving great beer to our guests and introducing our local friends to the culture of American craft beer.

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

It’s an honor to judge at the World Beer Cup. Judging there is an opportunity to give back to the brewing community I hold so dear, and it allows me to test my skills against other judges with different levels of experience and diverse backgrounds. There’s always something to learn as a judge, and even more so when you are paired with some of the other great people at WBC.

Fernanda Ueno

São Paulo, Brazil

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

I began my brewing journey in 2009 at Cervejaria Colorado in Brazil, starting as an intern and becoming head brewer. After earning a degree in food engineering, I completed the Master Brewers Program at UC Davis in 2015. I then led innovation projects for AB InBev’s craft breweries across South America and Europe.

In 2021, I moved to Europe to manage brewing and quality for ABI’s craft brands—including Camden Town, Bosteels, Birra del Borgo, and La Virgen—as well as co-packers and Beyond Beer products, until 2024.

Throughout my career, sensory analysis and beer judging have been part of my daily work. I’m passionate about experimenting with new ingredients, flavors, and techniques, exploring not just beer but also beverages like sake and coffee.

I’m also co-founder and brewmaster of Japas Cervejaria, a female-owned gypsy brewery blending Japanese and Brazilian influences. We brew and distribute our beers in Brazil, the U.S., and Taiwan, using beer as a creative way to honor our heritage.

Beer continues to teach me and connect me with amazing people every day—and I’m proud to give back to the industry that inspires me so deeply.

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 both an honor and a way for me to give back to the brewing community that has shaped so much of my life. It’s a chance to support brewers by providing thoughtful, constructive feedback, and to celebrate the creativity, diversity, and technical skill that go into every beer. With a background in brewing, sensory analysis, and innovation across different cultures and styles, I see judging as a unique opportunity to keep learning while also helping to uphold the highest standards in our industry. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of such a prestigious event that brings together passionate professionals from around the world to share knowledge, elevate beer quality, and inspire one another.

Silvia De Tomas Ayllon

Lima, Peru

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

I am part of the second generation of a brewing family in Peru that started in 2003. My parents taught me the art of making beer when I was 9 years old, studying and learning from it. This is how I fell in love with that passion, with its community, and everything that revolves around it. Over the years I have founded projects such as the Latin American Craft Beer Cup, Peruvian Beer Cup, Brewmart school, Brewpub Cebichela and my Two Broders Brewery. I also became a beer judge in 2014, participating in multiple competitions in Latin America. Beer matters to me, because it is part of the story of my family, of my life and it has taught me a lot over the years. I feel respect, admiration and I work hard to share with others how important it is, that they learn to value it, but above all to understand it.

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

I always dreamed of being part of the World Beer Cup, ever since I was young I always admired everyone who was part of it, and the experience one must have to be chosen for this great competition. I always followed in detail each event organized by the Brewers Association, learning from it and using it as a reference for the Peruvian market.

I judge beers in this competition, because it brings together the best beers and breweries in the world into one place. The level of analysis and professionalism that exists in each tasting session is incredible. Since beers are of a high level, it allows you to have different points of view and understanding about the every beer. You get to meet judges from all over the world! This is a very reason important reason for me to be part of it, get to know different cultures, exchange ideas, they make me personally a better person every day.

I am very happy to be part of this great competition that marks important milestones in the history of beer worldwide.

Rene Aduan Junior

São Paulo, Brazil

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

I’ve worked in beer industry since 2004, first as a beer taster (sommelier), then as a brewmaster in biotechnology and science. For 15 years I’ve been teaching the new guys “how to taste beer” in a sommelier course in ESCM and at Doemens achademy in Brasil. Beer is my priority and unconditional love.

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 the most refined world competition, with the best selection of judges. It is a pleasure to be part of this event, sharing knowledge to the market. The exchange of experiences between everyone who participates is the solid basis that motivates me to participate since 2014. This competition is the best way to celebrate all the values ​​that beer represents in our society!

Matt Reich

Virginia, United States

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

I began homebrewing in the early 1990s, learning under the tutelage of “The Complete Joy of Homebrewing” by Charlie Papazian. After several years and an ever-growing home brewery, I decided to take the plunge into the world of professional brewing. I went to Germany, where I trained under a Bavarian brewmaster for the better part of a year. Upon my return to the U.S., I signed on as head brewer of a regional craft brewery for nearly a decade. I’ve since transitioned to a support role for a large macrobrewery and have been in that position for 15 years.

Throughout all my experiences in the brewing industry, one constant has remained: the camaraderie and unity among everyone. Beer is the common bond that has held us—and all of civilization—together throughout history, and I feel honored to be part of this community.

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

As one would expect, this level of respect and support is deeply embedded in the World Beer Cup judging community. Each year, we are exposed to new beers, experiences, and innovative ideas from diverse brewers who are constantly raising the bar for beer quality and styles. I’m proud to contribute to our family of beer advocates and brewers.

Wolfgang Lindell

Sor-Trondelag, Norway

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

Having German roots, it’s fair to say that we always celebrated the culture of beer! My main hangout in college was at a brewpub in the nineties and it really inspired me to see the brewer at work with the craft. I also became interested in how technology can obscure reality, to which I sought out disciplines that kept me grounded to the world around us. I interned at a Maltster, graduated in the natural sciences, and eventually continued to work in the industry and attended brew school, becoming a master brewer in 2006. Beer and brewing matter to me in that they’re both an art and a science, a direct connection to the natural world, to agricultural raw materials, to culture and history, and to people.

We all need daily sustenance with food and drink so it’s great to be a part of the communal human journey.

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

After working 20 years in the industry, it’s great to be able to give something back. The community of beer is alive and strong, and we need to take care of our own and recognize and foster excellence. It’s also great to be with other inspired colleagues, which allows good discussion and illumination into the current state of affairs of our industry.

Amaey Mundkur

Connecticut, United States

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

I fell backwards into beer. I ran out of money while living in Australia and starting home brewing so I could continue to enjoy beer as a 21-year-old. I made a lot of bad alcoholic ginger beer before I learned to brew proper beer. People started buying my homebrew that I made out of my dorm room on the 11th floor of Howitt Hall at Monash University.

After I graduated, I didn’t want to move to Christmas Island in the South Pacific to study predatory ants that feasted on the migrating red crabs.So I picked beer.

Beer matters because it is art and love. It is an expression that is worthy of sharing. It matters to me because it engages with the very core of me, the scientist, the pedant, and the creative. Beer is about community — and as an immigrant from India (and the only Indian World Beer Cup beer judge — yes, out of almost two billion humans) who loves personal expression, it is where I belong.

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

I judge beer for a couple of reasons. It’s extremely important to positively impact beer quality. I have been in this industry for almost twenty years and have made beer on four continents. In that time, beer has grown, changed, and become what it is today. It is important to give positive feedback to all those brewers who aspire to be great, and I hope I can be part of that journey.

Judging at the World Beer Cup literally means the world to me. It is an affirmation of my achievements in the industry, as recognized by my peers who have kindly allowed me to judge with them, and to be part of an esteemed group of people that I can learn from. Hoarding information is selfish, while sharing it is selfless. And I hope to learn more.

What else would you like the world to know?

Besides beer, I love all the time I can spend with my wife and dog. I like hitting a little white ball around a large field (golf) and into a tiny hole. I love cooking and my family!

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.

George Reisch

Missouri, United States

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

I am a fourth-generation brewmaster in the Reisch family, which owned and operated the Reisch Brewery in Springfield, Illinois, for 117 years, from 1849 to 1966. My dad was the last Reisch brewmaster at the Reisch Brewery. After retiring from a 37-year brewing career, I started Reisch Charities, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, in 2018 and brewed the first Reisch Beer in 53 years, with all profits going to our charity. We tapped the first keg at my dad’s 100th birthday party, and he was so happy!

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

The World Beer Cup has the best judge panel made up of fabulous human beings with spectacular tasting ability. The best beers plus the best judges leads to a pure beer experience. A beer retreat! I am so humbled to be included as a judge!

Lana Svitankova

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

Beer is a love story in every sense. I fell down this rabbit hole on my honeymoon in Prague, over a glass of dark Czech lager, and I’ve continued my journey ever since. It started as a hobby, but it became a job, an educational vocation, and so much more. Like any relationship, there have been highs and lows, but the beer industry, the drink itself, and the people involved never cease to amaze me.

It’s more than just a set of flavors—it’s a collection of stories, emotions, memories, and experiences. That’s what makes it so exciting. Not all stories have a happy ending, but we’re here to change that and make the industry better.

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 roller coaster of emotions. It’s a huge responsibility to do justice to an overwhelming number of beers. It’s an uplifting feeling to represent your country with pride. It’s an immense joy to meet and learn from the best peers in the beer world, having countless meaningful conversations. It’s a lot of fun, but everyone takes it very seriously. The amount of knowledge and experience in the room is outstanding.

Winning a medal at the WBC means going through rigorous assessment and reaching the podium with flying colors. It’s a reason for every winner to be proud and to celebrate their work and team effort.

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.

Jeremy Moynier

California, United States

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

I worked in wine originally, but we drank a lot of craft beer while making wine! I worked on the Central Coast of California and ended up moving back to my hometown of San Diego. Craft was just starting to really take off and I ended up getting what I thought would be a temporary job at Stone Brewing in Escondido. That was 20 years ago! Beer matters to me because it brings people together whether that be a shifter after work or beers with friends over the weekend. Good quality and well-made beer is an experience and that experience is even better with friends.

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

I love to evaluate beer and the conversations you have with your fellow judges are awesome. I always learn so much from my peers and this is really special at World Beer Cup because of the international attendance. I feel fortunate I get to taste these beers and have meaningful conversations around them.