Philosophie des prix
The World Beer Cup recognizes brewing excellence in more than 100 categories but does not automatically award the top three entries in a particular category. When judges determine that a category contains three excellent examples of the style, they present gold, silver, and bronze awards for the first, second, and third place beverages, respectively.
Judges may choose not to designate any awards in a category if all beverages entered in that category are significantly out of style or have major defects. The Competition Director will cancel judging in any one category if fewer than three entries are received.
Also, judges may grant an award in any one or more of the three award places without granting awards in all three places. For example, judges may recognize a beer or cider as a silver or bronze award winner; yet not grant a gold award.
What makes a beer or cider worthy of a gold, silver or bronze award?
“Evaluating beer and cider happens on many levels. On a professional level, beer and cider evaluation is a form of peer review. The results are public, so consumers can learn what beverages meet a high level of quality and exemplify certain styles as interpreted by the judges. When industry professionals acknowledge the excellence in products from around the market, the consumer can be sure that those products are the finest available.”
- Chris Williams, directeur du concours
Detailed Judge Feedback
Sure, awards are shiny—but what if the real prize is the feedback? When you enter the World Beer Cup, you’re not just chasing hardware—you’re tapping into a panel of the most skilled beer and cider judges on the planet. Every entry receives detailed comments—on appearance, aroma, mouthfeel, taste and flavor, technical quality, and fidelity to style—that brewers can use to fine-tune their products. Additionally, beginning in 2026, entrants who advance beyond first round in the competition will receive additional panel-summary feedback for each subsequent round of judging the entry progresses through, highlighting how their beer fared against other top contenders!
Norme minimale pour les prix
| OR | A world class beer or cider that accurately exemplifies the specified style, displaying the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance. |
| ARGENT | An excellent beer or cider that may vary slightly from style parameters while maintaining close adherence to the style and displaying excellent taste, aroma, and appearance. |
| BRONZE | Un bon exemple du style qui peut varier légèrement par rapport aux paramètres du style et/ou présenter des défauts mineurs de goût, d'arôme ou d'apparence. |
À partir de 2018, la World Beer Cup ne décernera plus de prix Champion Brewery. Compte tenu de la croissance continue de la compétition, ce changement nous permet de concentrer toutes nos ressources en matière de jugement et de personnel sur une exécution sans faille des principaux prix - or, argent et bronze - dans plus de 100 catégories de style différentes.
Les juges
Sélection des juges
The World Beer Cup competition director selects judges from a list of internationally recognized brewers, consultants, industry suppliers and writers. These individuals have been selected on the basis of: (1) formal beer or cider sensory training; (2) ongoing beer or cider sensory experience; (3) industry and peer recognition; (4) knowledge of beer or cider styles and the brewing process; and (5) judging demeanor.
Les juges potentiels doivent communiquer couramment en anglais, à l'écrit et à l'oral, doivent avoir reçu une formation sensorielle formelle et doivent participer régulièrement à des panels ou à des concours d'arômes.
Each World Beer Cup judge panel includes ~10-12% judges newly introduced to the panel. People wishing to be considered as World Beer Cup judge panel candidates should email a request to competition director Chris Williams. Candidates will be directed to submit an application online. Applicants are expected to provide a brewing industry vita or résumé with an emphasis on formal beer or cider sensory training and ongoing sensory experience, and three letters of recommendation (all in English). New judges are seated in order of application completion and acceptance.
Procédures des juges
Le jugement de la Coupe du monde de la bière a lieu juste avant la conférence des brasseurs artisanaux de l'association des brasseurs et BrewExpo America®.
Judges are assigned by the competition director to judge beers or ciders in their specific area of expertise and do not judge in every category. Judges will seldom taste more than 30 beverages in any one judging session and judges never evaluate their own product or any product in which they have a concern (a consultant cannot judge the beer of a client). Judging is blind, with no brand knowledge of any kind provided to judges. Entries are judged solely on their merits.
Judges perform several important roles at the World Beer Cup. Judges determine winning entries that meet the stringent award criteria described above. They are also expected to provide concise, accurate written feedback to entering breweries and cideries about their entries, describing positive product attributes as well as defects noted during the competition. This indirect communication to entering breweries adds value to their World Beer Cup entries and provides a glimpse into the judging process.
