Des juges de classe mondiale
World Beer Cup judges possess the best palates and style expertise on the planet.
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Des juges de 26 pays
Rencontrez nos juges de classe mondiale
Découvrez un petit échantillon de nos incroyables anciens juges de la bière.
Kathia Zanatta
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
After finishing my food engineering degree in Brazil, I followed my love for beer. I landed an internship at Paulaner Brewery in Germany in 2005, where I delved into the world of brewing and embraced the country’s diverse beer culture. Upon my return, I transitioned into a role at a brewery in Brazil, where I honed my skills over a five-year period in areas such as quality control, research and development, and laboratory analysis. In 2008, I embarked on a journey to Germany for the Beer Sommelier course, marking my entry into Brazil’s burgeoning craft beer scene.
Equipped with this expertise, I began organizing beer events. By 2010, I co-founded Instituto da Cerveja, an educational institution dedicated to the art of beer, and since then I have been fully committed to studying (including a brewmaster course in 2011), impactful teaching, hosting beer and food events, and consulting.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
I have been participating as a judge in beer competitions since 2009, consistently enjoying the opportunity to expand my knowledge of beer, sensory analysis, and the market. It’s not only a chance to connect with new colleagues, but also an opportunity to support breweries by engaging in discussions about their beers and providing valuable feedback.
Sebastian Hohentanner
Tokyo, Japon
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
I was born and raised in Munich, Germany, so good beer was always a given for me—available almost anytime, anywhere, especially in our beautiful beer gardens. However, while studying in Japan, I learned that this wasn’t the case everywhere. Searching for a good Bavarian-style hefeweizen in Japan started my journey into the world of craft beer. It led to a career in the Japanese beverage industry, supplying breweries with brewing equipment, ingredients, and education to create some of the best beers we have in Japan today.
In my daily work, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to connect the brewing culture of my birthplace with the brewing culture of the place I choose to live. Nothing brings people together like beer!
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
The World Beer Cup is the most prestigious and well-established beer competition—a model for beer competitions worldwide. Therefore, it’s an honor and a privilege to judge at the World Beer Cup. Judging beers with industry veterans and colleagues from around the globe in such a well-organized, professional setting creates a unique opportunity to continuously learn about beer and sharpen sensory skills. I especially appreciate the discussions with fellow judges during and after the competition. Everyone’s openness to share knowledge and experience, help one another, and enjoy beer in a friendly and collegial atmosphere is amazing. I hope to participate in and contribute to the World Beer Cup for many years to come.
Lana Svitankova
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
Mon voyage autour de la bière a commencé par une exclamation lors de ma lune de miel à Prague : "Oh, la bière peut être comme ça ?!". Cette exclamation s'est transformée en une passion qui anime mes voyages, mon éducation, mon travail et mon temps libre. La bière est un plaisir pour les sens, varié et excitant, social et inspirant. Et au-delà de l'expérience hédoniste pure, c'est toujours une découverte de la nouveauté : de nouveaux ingrédients, de nouvelles techniques, de nouveaux lieux et, enfin et surtout, des gens extraordinaires.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
Être juge au WBC est un grand honneur et un privilège. Aider à trouver et à mettre en valeur les meilleures bières dans leurs catégories respectives avec des experts chevronnés est une joie sans pareille. Voir les yeux des gagnants s'illuminer, les larmes de bonheur couler, les bannières et les drapeaux fièrement affichés lors de la cérémonie de remise des prix me ravit au plus haut point. Leur joie est méritée car à chaque fois, il ne s'agit que de trois prix, pas plus. Le poids du choix et de la décision pèse toujours sur chaque juge, mais c'est un effort satisfaisant. Partager ses connaissances, apprendre des meilleurs et représenter son pays à ces "olympiades de la bière" est une expérience inestimable, tout comme le simple plaisir de rencontrer toutes les personnes extraordinaires : juges, organisateurs et bénévoles, qui font de cette célébration de la bière une réalité.
Mark Zunkel
Nuremberg, Allemagne
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
J'ai obtenu mon diplôme de premier cycle à l'université du Colorado, à Boulder. C'est là que j'ai pu découvrir la scène brassicole artisanale, mais ma véritable inspiration pour le brassage a commencé lors d'une année d'études à l'étranger à Regensburg, en Allemagne. Je suis tombé amoureux de la bière blonde et des traditions brassicoles allemandes. Après avoir terminé mes études, j'ai commencé à brasser à la maison. Cela a accéléré mon intérêt pour la bière et le brassage, après quoi j'ai posé ma candidature et étudié à l'université technique de Munich à Weihenstephan. Après avoir obtenu mon diplôme, j'ai commencé à travailler chez BarthHaas, le plus grand fournisseur de houblon au monde, en tant que directeur technique. Ma passion est la dégustation et la technologie de la bière. Le houblon en tant qu'ingrédient brut est au cœur de ma passion. La composition, l'arôme, les régions de culture et les personnes impliquées dans l'industrie du houblon sont au cœur de ma passion pour la bière.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
Je juge pour de nombreuses raisons : Rencontrer des collègues de l'industrie de la bière, débattre de la bière et des styles de bière, et découvrir la qualité de la bière sur le marché. Les catégories les plus intéressantes pour moi sont tous les styles houblonnés, mais aussi les catégories expérimentales où l'imagination d'un brasseur peut s'exprimer librement.
Mais avant tout, la World Beer Cup est destinée aux brasseurs et à leurs clients. C'est là que réside la valeur ajoutée pour tous les acteurs du secteur et la raison la plus importante pour laquelle tous les juges, les brasseries et les consommateurs de bière devraient faire l'éloge de l'un des événements les plus importants du monde dans le domaine de la bière !
Gabriela Montandon
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
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.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
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.
Sylvia Kopp
Berlin, Germany
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
As an author, speaker, and teacher on beer culture, beer styles, beer tasting, and the sensory evaluation of hops, I have been a recognized advocate of genuine innovation for 20 years. I am convinced that true creativity, which arises from a connection with one’s core values, will always drive development—unlike fear-driven reactions to economic demands that lead to boredom and stagnation.
I have been a trainer at the BarthHaas Hops Academy since 2019. I founded and directed the Berlin Beer Academy and worked for several years as an ambassador for American craft beer for the Brewers Association across Europe. Throughout my career, I have published numerous books and articles, and I recently co-founded Women4Beverages, a network for women in the industry, at BrauBeviale in Nuremberg. My latest project, a series of video interviews and text portraits, highlights female role models in the beverage industry.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
Judging has been the key to my entry into the world of beer culture. I’m proud to be a long-term judge at both the World Beer Cup and European Beer Star, which I joined when they were the only two major competitions in Europe and America. It’s an honor to be invited back each time. Nowhere else have I learned as much about beer flavors, styles, and global beer cultures as I have at the judging tables of the World Beer Cup. I truly appreciate the discussions and exchanges with international brewers and fellow beer professionals. I always return home with fresh inspiration and new stories to publish in our magazines.
Fernanda Meybom
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
I have always liked beer and my grandmother was a homebrewer.As a chemical engineer,I became more familiar with the fermentation process and the beer industry. After my graduation and a sommelier course, I decided to learn more about sensory analysis. I got involved with beer competitions and local homebrewers associations, including organizing competitions and conferences.I’m a master’s candidate in food engineering and beer science. I recently co-authored a chapter about pairing beer and food in Guia da Sommelieira de Cervejas (Beer Sommelier Guide), and co-authored a chapter about probiotic beer in Protocols in Technology of Probiotic Foods and Beverages for Springer Protocols. I’m also the technical advisor at the Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy of Santa Catarina in Brazil. I am an active BJCP Certified judge and for the last 10 years I have judged in international beer competitions in Chile, Spain, Mexico, South Africa, Belgium, Argentina, and Uruguay. I’m the co-founder of Passaporte Cervejeiro, a company that organizes beer travel groups to Belgium. I have taught several courses in Brazil. Writing and cooking are my passions, and after five years as a columnist for Revista da Cerveja (Magazine of Beer), I now share recipes at my own website.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
The World Beer Cup is one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in the world, and winning a medal there is celebrated as a significant competitive achievement. Being selected for the judging team is therefore a great honor and an achievement for beer professionals, as well as a great responsibility to select the worthiest beers from among the entries. Being part of the World Beer Cup is a great validation of my hard work, study, and preparation in the beer industry, and a wonderful way to use my beer evaluation skills.
Werner Glossner
Bavière, Allemagne
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
I was born into a brewing family and had no chance of avoiding beer, but fate has been damn good to me.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
It is the international encounters — around a table, over evenings and days with tasters from all over the world, that is the World Beer Cup.
Andres Quiros
San Jose, Costa Rica
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
After a long wait, I got to brew my first homebrew batch with friends in China, where I had some incredible beer mentors from Germany and the U.S. That later became an income, we would sell beers with our homebrew club at festivals, and later with our own homebrewery, I later got hired at a Chinese brewpub, which was my first pro job. Experimentation has always been my favorite thing about beer, luckily, when I started brewing professionally the breweries where always open for my experiments, which made me grow as a brewer. I later founded my brewery Experimento Cervecero in Costa Rica, which is now evolving from a small industrial brewery to a largely self-sustainable farmstead brewery.
Beer is about community and that has always inspired me, most times when you meet a brewer you kind of get a new friend, who knows what you’ve been through; and more often than not, the collaboration spirit is on. Sharing a passion and sharing a beer is always a great feeling.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
It has been a dream come true to judge at the WBC, I would dare say the pinnacle of a judging career. I judge to learn and share knowledge and the WBC is a great avenue for this. The diversity of beer, both in style and origin is incredible, and tasting beer from all over the world is always very rewarding and exciting. The judging panel is the top of the industry worldwide, so meeting the people and sharing stories was a definite treat. Judging at the world beer cup was a clear goal when I started brewing and later on judging, and getting to do it was a great feeling.
Walter König
Bavière, Allemagne
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
I’ve never done anything other than beer and music! I grew up on a farm in a small village in Bavaria. There was a princely brewery in this village that was founded in 1598. Our neighbor was a brewer in this brewery and I often visited him in the brewhouse. I was fascinated by this craft and quickly became enthusiastic about the profession. At the age of 15, I began training as a brewer and maltster in this brewery. After several years of practical experience as a brewer, my career path took me to the Technical University of Munich, where I graduated as an engineer in brewing and beverage technology.
In Bavaria in particular, beer is closely associated with traditions, festivals, rituals and everyday life. There are many different beer styles for every occasion and every season. Due to my background in agriculture, I am primarily fascinated by the beer raw materials malting barley, wheat and of course hops and the conviction that a good beer needs nothing more than three ingredients, nature and the skill of the brewer.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
I would like the German beer styles to be interpreted and judged at the jury tables in the way they have evolved from their tradition. I also enjoy exchanging ideas with judges from other countries and beer histories and discussing other beer styles and trends in the brewing industry.
Every brewer who submits a beer to the competition is entitled to transparent and honest feedback on their beer. It is therefore important to me that well-trained and focused judges give each beer the necessary attention. The World Beer Cup offers optimal conditions for this thanks to its organization and the online-based evaluation system. And despite the concentrated work, there is still enough freedom and many opportunities to get to know each other and have fun.
Jeremy Moynier
Californie, États-Unis
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
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.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
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.
Tetsuya Kojima
Tokyo, Japon
Comment êtes-vous entré dans l'industrie de la bière ? Pourquoi la bière est-elle importante pour vous ?
Beer has completely changed my life. About 25 years ago, I was just a craft beer fan. One day, I attended a beer festival in Tokyo sponsored by the Craft Beer Association and saw a flyer for a Beer Judge Seminar. I became interested in the beer judge qualification program in Japan, and a few years later, I took the seminar and got certified as a beer judge.
About 10 years ago, I received a phone call from Ryouji Oda, former president of the Craft Beer Association, asking me to serve as a lecturer at the beer tasting program and beer judge qualification program sponsored by the association. Now, I’m a lecturer for the association, teaching beer tasting and judging methods at seminars. I’m also a competition director at Japanese beer competitions, such as the International Beer Cup and the Japan Great Beer Awards.
In fact, I don’t work in the beer industry. My actual job is as a computer science professor at a college in Tokyo. However, beer occupies a significant part of my life. I am, and always will be, very happy to spend my life in the world of craft beer.
Pourquoi jugez-vous à la World Beer Cup ? Que signifie pour vous le fait d'être juge à la Coupe du monde de la bière ?
My first judging experience at the World Beer Cup was in Nashville in 2018. As a certified beer judge, I wanted to contribute to events like this to help raise the quality of craft beer. This was the primary reason I joined the World Beer Cup. Another reason was my desire to stay updated on global trends in craft beer, which remains a crucial part of my experience at the WBC. I hope to judge new beer styles at every World Beer Cup. It’s an excellent learning opportunity for me, and I can share my experiences from the competition with my students and fellow beer judges in Japan.
