Philosophie des prix
La World Beer Cup reconnaît l'excellence brassicole dans plus de 100 catégories, mais ne récompense pas automatiquement les trois meilleures bières d'une catégorie donnée. Lorsque les juges déterminent qu'une catégorie contient trois excellents exemples du style, ils décernent des prix d'or, d'argent et de bronze aux bières qui occupent respectivement la première, la deuxième et la troisième place.
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


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 Manager 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; such application information will include 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.