World Class Judges

John Haggerty

Ohio, United States

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

I started in the beer industry in 1993 while working in the kitchen of a brewpub in Seattle, The Big Time Brewing Co. I thought to myself, “Self, if you are going to work here you might as well learn how to do something cool, like make beer!” So really, I didn’t know much about beer to begin with…I mean other than I liked to drink it. There wasn’t much beer on offer in the late 80’s and early 90’s where I was living in southwest Ohio. So when I moved to Seattle in 1991 that was a real revelation. Anyway, one thing lead to another and here I am 33 years later! I love what beer can do for a community of people—it brings them together and helps them interact and have fun. Beer is a convivial beverage and it is the community that always develops around drinking a pint that I really love.

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

I love to participate in the WBC because I like being part of the evaluation process of the greatest beer event on the planet! I also find that there is incredible dialogue and interaction amongst the judges on how they think and feel about beer. It is very insightful and enlightening from a brewer’s perspective. I find that I gain all sorts of ideas from simply sitting at the tables and discussing beer with my fellow judges. Additionally, I always find it recharges me and when I return to the brewery I have a renewed energy for what it is we do on a daily basis I find it to be a tremendous honor to be asked to help evaluate the beer entries in the competition. I take it quite seriously and am ecstatic that I have been asked to be part of such an internationally esteemed panel of beer professionals.

What else would you like the world to know?

The act of drinking a beer is really quite a simple exercise. It can be infinitely enjoyable particularly when you have a great group of friends and colleagues at hand to enjoy a point with! However, making a beer is infinitely complex. The people that do this for a living are extremely dedicated craftspeople. To accomplish what they do is a magical blend of science and creativity. Take time to get to know your local brewers. Offer them your feedback and input but keep in mind that the work that goes into it is backbreaking and physically and mentally challenging. That deserves your respect even if you don’t care for their beer’s particular outcome.

Tian Zhou

Shanghai, China

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

My journey into beer began while I was studying in the United States. At 21 (of course), I tasted my first American IPA in Maine, and it completely changed how I understood beer. After graduation, I spent 45 days driving across 22 U.S. states, visiting breweries of all sizes.

What stayed with me most from that road trip wasn’t just the beer, but the people. I found that people who love beer are open, sincere, and generous with their stories. Conversations started easily, friendships formed quickly, and sharing a beer felt like a natural way to connect. That experience shaped how I see beer to this day.

I began homebrewing while starting my career in brand marketing, working with companies such as DJI and WeWork. Looking back, my beers weren’t that good, but my colleagues were kind enough to finish them anyway, and ask for the next batch.

In 2020, I left my previous career and founded Beer Matters. It began as China’s first craft-beer-only podcast and has since grown into a broader media and community platform. Beer matters to me because craft beer represents values I deeply believe in—independence, diversity, community, and creativity – beyond simply good-tasting beer.

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

The World Beer Cup brings together some of the most experienced and respected beer judges in the world. Judging alongside them allows me to continually calibrate my sensory perception and deepen my understanding of beer styles at the highest level.

It is also a truly global platform, where beers from nearly every major brewing country are evaluated side by side. This offers a rare opportunity to see how craft beer is evolving worldwide, including how different regions interpret classic styles, how local ingredients influence innovation, and what trends are shaping the industry today.

China’s craft beer scene is developing rapidly, with many brewers actively exploring a distinct local identity. As a long-term observer and documenter of this process, including through my recent book on the rise of Chinese craft beer, the World Beer Cup is an essential learning opportunity for me. The insights I gain at the judging table help me bring a clearer global perspective back to China.

Judging is also a two-way exchange. I’m glad to share perspectives from the Chinese craft beer scene, including beers that incorporate local elements such as tea. This exchange keeps judging relevant and helps the global beer community move forward together.

What else would you like the world to know?

We are living in a strange era of de-globalization, where exchanges between countries are becoming more fragile and opportunities for direct dialogue feel increasingly limited. In moments like this, I believe it is up to each of us to make a greater effort to stay connected with one another.

From my perspective, beer remains a simple and sincere way to keep those connections alive. I’m deeply committed to sharing what is actually happening in Chinese craft beer today. It is a scene that is far more diverse, experimental, and thoughtful than many people expect.

We are not just making beer; we are exploring local identity through ingredients such as tea, domestic hops, and fermentation techniques rooted in long-standing traditions. At the same time, we remain genuinely open to dialogue and eager to connect with the wider world.

If you are curious about Chinese craft beer, or planning a trip to China and looking for brewery or bar recommendations, I’m always happy to connect. Conversations still matter, and sharing a pint is often the best way to start one.

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.

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.

Shiro Yamada

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

I entered the beer industry after a life-changing experience in Europe during my postgraduate studies. Visiting small breweries and drinking locally made beers opened my eyes to beer as a cultural product, not just a mass-produced beverage. Later, hearing a talk by an entrepreneur who had built a brewery without prior industry experience convinced me that I could do the same. That moment pushed me to study brewing seriously and eventually start Far Yeast Brewing in Japan.

Beer matters to me because it represents diversity, creativity, and connection. I wanted to create beers that express both global brewing culture and Japan’s local character by using regional ingredients and unique fermentation approaches. At the time, Japanese beer was not well recognized internationally, and I felt there was an opportunity to change that perception.

To me, beer is more than alcohol—it is a medium for storytelling and community. Each beer reflects the place it comes from and the people who make it. Through brewing, I hope to show that beer can be both deeply local and globally meaningful.

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 want to contribute to the continued development of the beer industry. It is one of the most respected beer competitions in the world, and taking part in this process allows me to support high standards of quality and evaluation.

Judging also gives me the opportunity to connect with judges from many countries and backgrounds. Exchanging ideas and perspectives helps me better understand global brewing culture and technical trends.

Most importantly, judging at a world-class competition is a valuable learning experience. What I learn through evaluation and discussion feeds back into my own brewing and allows me to contribute to better beer and stronger local brewing communities.

What else would you like the world to know?

I would like the world to know that meaningful beer can come from very small places. Far Yeast Brewing is based in Kosuge Village, a mountain community in Japan with a population of about 600 people. There, we try to brew beer using local fruits, grains, and hops whenever possible, working closely with farmers and producers in the region.

Through this work, I have learned that brewing is not only about producing beverages, but also about creating connections between culture, agriculture, and community. Even a small rural village can participate in the global beer scene when its local identity is respected and expressed through beer.

Today, our beers are exported to 27 countries, which shows that products rooted in a specific place can still resonate internationally. By learning from the global brewing community and bringing that knowledge back home, I hope to continue contributing to both better beer and the long-term vitality of local communities like Kosuge Village.

Shaun O’Sullivan

California, United States

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

After several career changes in my twenties—from being a photographer for a local Los Angeles weekly covering music and politics, to working as a CNN assignment desk editor, and then as a legal clerk at a high-powered corporate law firm—I found my passion in homebrewing, with the goal of one day opening my own brewpub.

Discovering my destiny and community within craft beer has been incredible, and I still can’t believe I get paid to do this.

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

I often tell aspiring beer judges that becoming a judge at the World Beer Cup can make you a better brewer and person. The experience involves interacting with fellow international beer judges, honing the skills of listening and being open to discussion. It’s a humbling experience that requires judges to set aside their egos, as we all strive toward the common goal of recognizing the best beers.

Mitch Steele

Georgia, United States

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

I studied brewing science at UC Davis, and got into brewing a few years after I graduated. Beer matters to me because it tastes great, it requires artistic and scientific skill to make good beer, and it’s a socially beneficial beverage when used in moderation. Beer can enhance friendships, a sense of community, problem solving, and adds so much to fun activities. It’s been around forever and has been involved in life historical events worldwide. And the beer community and industry is amazing. We share information and techniques with each other, and the camaraderie is more than I’ve seen in any other industry.

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

I judge at World Beer Cup because it is one of the most prestigious international beer competitions in the world. The judges are world class, and I often learn something about beer styles and brewing techniques from many of them. It’s an absolute honor to be on this judging panel. I think I’ve missed one competition in the past 25 years. Being able to evaluate the best beers from all over the world is incredibly valuable. It helps me evaluate my own beers and improve them. And the networking with judging panels that are often more than 50% international provides opportunities for new friendships and learning.

Jason Koehler

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

In 2006 after just six months of marriage, the Japanese airline my wife worked for recalled her back to the mothership in Tokyo, and I had a decision to make…stay and finish an MBA, or dive headfirst into adventure. I chose adventure and quit my cushy job, dropped out of the MBA course, sold most of my worldly possessions, and moved to a country I’d only visited once before.

Along the way, I started courses at Siebel, and with my homebrewing experience it was enough to land me a brewing job in Japan. After some years of consulting, my business partners and I opened DevilCraft in 2011, and now operate five taprooms and a production facility. My wife left her airline job and founded an import trading company distributing craft beer and beer ingredients—beer is a cornerstone of our relationship.

A beer fan long before starting brewing, honing the craft has become one of the focal points of my life. Even 20 years after that first professional job, the process still intrigues and fascinates me. I love how combining continuous learning and improvement with a little love can combine to make something beautiful.

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 by far, the most prestigious beer competition in the world. Being a small part of that greatness is both humbling and awe-inspiring. The sensory abilities of my fellow judges is incredible to behold, and a constant reminder that we can and should be always be improving our own sensory faculties.

Many industry greats choose to assist with World Beer Cup evaluations, and I am honored to have a seat at the table with them and work diligently to uphold the standard that they set.

What else would you like the world to know?

Being chosen as a WBC judge and winning several WBC medals have been among the highlights of my 20 year career in beer!

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.

Juan Camilo Riveros

Bogota, Colombia

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

Got a revelation on my first pint of Guinness and being from a country with only industrial lager for beer decided to start brewing my own. I studied culinary arts in Argentina and there also learned the basics of brew ing. After that the books of Palmer, Papazian, Talley, Daniels, Hieronymus, Bouckaert and Cantwell, and Michael Jackson were my sources. A lot of homebrewing came after that. Humanity and beer have a very close relationship most of the different cultures in the planet have beer whenever they are celebrating or mourning. It is comfort for a friend or just joy of being somewhere or with someone. Good beer brings us together and gladness our spirits.

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

Judging at WBC means a lot of different things for me. In a way is a validation of all my reading, tasting, and hard work in general. It is also an important way of learning from people more knowledgeable than me or from beer cultures that I am not so familiar with. In a more personal level there is a moment that comes from time to time when a table of judges just sync perfectly and complement each other, where knowledge is shared and we are able to do a great job. That moment is very satisfying. Last but not least, when I am judging beer I feel that each beer tells me a different story and sometimes you find exceptional ones that innovate and change the way that you look at beer as a whole.

Chris Flaskamp

Santiago, Chile

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

I started homebrewing in Chile in 2000 and launched my own craft brewery in Santiago, Tübinger, in 2007. I’ve been a certified BJCP beer judge since 2014 and have judged at the world’s most important beer competitions, such as the World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Festival, European Beer Star in Germany, Brussels Beer Challenge in Belgium, World Beer Awards in the U.K., Blumenau Beer Cup in Brazil, and others.

I’m a co-founder and the current executive director of Chile’s Independent Craft Brewers Association, ACI Chile, since 2019, which has over 150 members from all over Chile. We’ve been organizing the yearly Great Chile Beer Festival and its beer competition, Copa ACI. During the dark years of COVID-19, I made the most of the downtime to write a book about beer history, beer culture, and beer styles. I’m proud to say that it has been quite successful, with two sold-out editions since 2021.

Beer has been part of my life since my student days in Germany, and I feel that I learn more every year about this beautiful beverage. I love opening people’s minds to the wide variety of beers, and there is still much to be done in that regard in Latin America.

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 like being at the global center of beer experts, and it is always a pleasure and a great honor to share time, stories, and pints with the most accomplished brewers and beer judges in the world. This experience enables me to continue learning and improving my knowledge of beer tasting, new trends, and beer style appreciation.

It is also important for me to represent our relatively small country and emerging craft beer market at a global event and to spread the word about the increasingly vibrant Chilean beer market.

Daniel Rodriguez

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

I first became interested in craft beer about 25 years ago, and I don’t remember where I saw that it could be made at home! From that moment on, I started researching with the limited resources available at the time and with the help of an acquaintance who had worked in a small brewery in my state. I started as a homebrewer, like most brewers, until one day it became my profession. Over the years, I’ve also helped spread beer knowledge in my country, Argentina, through beer talks, sensory courses, and so on. This journey has been very rewarding, as it has led me to meet many people who share my passion. It’s been nearly 25 years of enjoying this wonderful beverage.

Beer matters to me for the reasons mentioned above: the camaraderie, the encounters, the knowledge, developing friendships, and learning about different cultures. This way of life has also helped me discover many places I surely wouldn’t have visited without beer. For me, beer is a way of life!

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

Throughout my journey in the world of beer and judging in various competitions, I’ve always been curious about the types of beers that make it to the World Beer Cup and how they reach this prestigious competition. It’s incredibly rewarding to judge beers from all over the world and try to understand the brewer’s vision. I feel like I’m judging the beers of a fellow brewer who shares my passion, and that’s why I approach it with commitment and professionalism.

Being a judge at the World Beer Cup is a source of pride for me, as I’ve reached the most important competition where I can sit and judge beers. It’s one of those things that feels good, and you say to yourself, “I made it! Here I am!”

What else would you like the world to know?

I am a brewer at my brewery, DR Beer. Brewing Consultant I have participated in and judged various renowned beer competitions worldwide. Head Judge of the Copa Liga del Centro Head Judge of the Copa Cervezas del Rio de la Plata Head Judge of the Copa Latinoamericana de Cervezas