Juan Camilo Riveros

Bogota, Colombia

¿Cómo entró en la industria cervecera? ¿Por qué le importa la cerveza?

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.

¿Por qué participa como juez en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza? ¿Qué significa para usted ser jurado en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza?

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.

Craig Thomas

California, Estados Unidos

¿Cómo entró en la industria cervecera? ¿Por qué le importa la cerveza?

My first brewing job was meant to be a stepping stone into distilling. However, as I pursued my master’s in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University, I began appreciating beer more and more. To me, it felt like a more experimental, exciting, and forward-thinking craft. The diversity of ingredients, techniques, and historical traditions delivered a broader, more compelling story of flavor and experience than distilled spirits did. There is so much to learn, and each moment of learning is aided or reinforced by sensory experiences that have created very impactful memories for me.

Since graduating in 2014, I’ve done my best to shape my career path by putting myself in situations where I can absorb knowledge from people with different types of expertise. I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world tasting beer while working with Bill Simpson and AROXA. I’ve brewed with some of the best at Firestone Walker Brewing Company, tested my practical and theoretical sensory knowledge as part of the ASBC Sensory Subcommittee, and explored beer dispense in order to earn Master Cicerone. Now, at Abstrax Hops, I’m reevaluating everything I thought I knew about beer. New frontiers never end!

¿Por qué participa como juez en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza? ¿Qué significa para usted ser jurado en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza?

There is no other place where so many diverse, knowledgeable, and experienced people gather to taste and talk about beers and beer styles. What better spot to challenge preconceptions, discuss new techniques, and discover new trends? Furthermore, the competition brings in a plethora of world-class examples across so many styles. It is the only place where one can repeatedly experience technical precision and artistic expression in equal measure—sometimes at the same time. Competitions like the World Beer Cup are outlets where a brewer’s intent can be fully grasped and appreciated, as these beers are labors of love, often produced fresh and free from the constraints of distributor deals, consumer preferences, cost-of-goods quandaries, and dispense dilemmas.

Jason Macías

Pensilvania, Estados Unidos

¿Cómo entró en la industria cervecera? ¿Por qué le importa la cerveza?

Tras licenciarme en Finanzas por la Universidad de Drexel, tenía un conflicto. ¿Debía aceptar "cualquier" trabajo en el que mi formación y mis conocimientos se vieran recompensados con un sueldo, o debía ampliar mi base educativa con conocimientos prácticos en un sector único sobre el que me interesaba aprender más?

Mi interés por la elaboración de cerveza comenzó como cervecero casero y se avivó cuando empecé a trabajar como camarero en un pub cervecero mientras estudiaba en la universidad, lo que me introdujo en la elaboración de cerveza a microescala, mayor que la elaboración casera pero menor que la "gran cerveza". Mi primer trabajo en la industria fue como ayudante de cervecero en una cervecería emergente en los tranquilos suburbios de las afueras de Filadelfia, lo que al principio dejó perpleja a mi familia hasta que me oyeron contar historias de mis primeras semanas y supieron que había encontrado mi pasión.

Con el tiempo, mi formación me fue atrapando y me fui abriendo camino fuera de la fábrica de cerveza para desempeñar diversas funciones comerciales, empezando con la cerveza, luego con las materias primas (lúpulo, malta) y finalmente con las latas de aluminio impresas y brite, donde trabajo felizmente en la actualidad con el equipo de envasado de Zuckerman Honickman.

¿Por qué participa como juez en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza? ¿Qué significa para usted ser jurado en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza?

El proceso de juzgar cervezas me permite explotar mis habilidades sensoriales, que desconocía hasta hace unos años, cuando me convertí en juez del Programa de Certificación de Jueces de Cerveza y administrador de exámenes para mi club local de cerveza casera. Al haber estudiado marketing durante mis años de licenciatura, era muy consciente de cómo la marca, las etiquetas y el envasado pueden influir en la demanda de los consumidores y en las ventas. Dejar todo eso a un lado y centrarme únicamente en la cerveza me pareció fascinante.

Los estilos de cerveza son relatos históricos de una época y un lugar en los que se originaron. Ofrecen una visión de esa época en la que se trabajaba con lo que la tierra ofrecía y se jugaba con lo que tocaba. Los cerveceros jugaron su mano en todo el mundo creando las docenas de estilos de cerveza con innumerables atributos y características que tenemos hoy en día. Esto se suma a la historia que sus sentidos pueden contarle sobre el viaje de una muestra de cerveza específica hasta su vaso de muestra.

Para mí, la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza representa la cúspide de las oportunidades como juez y estoy muy agradecido y orgulloso de formar parte de esta comunidad de jueces de cerveza y de relacionarme con gente tan increíble e interesante de todo el mundo.

Gabriela Montandon

¿Cómo entró en la industria cervecera? ¿Por qué le importa la cerveza?

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.

¿Por qué participa como juez en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza? ¿Qué significa para usted ser jurado en la Copa Mundial de la Cerveza?

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.