Emily Vegas

Thüringen, Germany

Come è entrato nel settore della birra? Perché la birra è importante per lei?

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.

Perché giudica alla World Beer Cup? Cosa significa per lei giudicare alla World Beer Cup?

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.

Dominic Charbonneau

Québec, Canada

Come è entrato nel settore della birra? Perché la birra è importante per lei?

Come la maggior parte dei birrai, ho iniziato come homebrewer e ho deciso di offrire più sapore alla gente avviando il mio birrificio. Per farlo, dovevo capire e conoscere gli stili di birra e assaggiarli, così ho studiato e viaggiato per assaggiare ogni stile di birra. Questo mi ha portato a ottenere le credenziali del Beer Judge Certification Program e del Cicerone, che ora mi aiutano ogni giorno nel birrificio.

Perché giudica alla World Beer Cup? Cosa significa per lei giudicare alla World Beer Cup?

Giudicare la World Beer Cup è come giudicare alle Olimpiadi. È un'enorme competizione in cui sono rappresentati i migliori tra i migliori. La sfida di trovare la birra appropriata per lo stile in ogni volo è incredibile ed è un ottimo allenamento per sviluppare le mie capacità di degustazione e, naturalmente, per aiutare i produttori di birra a comprendere il loro prodotto.

Marco Malaga

Come è entrato nel settore della birra? Perché la birra è importante per lei?

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. At 15 years of age, a teacher at my high school asked all students what profession they wanted to pursue as grown ups. My answer was “I would like to brew beer.” My teacher replied in disbelief: “And what do you have to study to become a brewer?” My answer was, “I am not sure but I will find out and do it.” My main inspiration was realizing how beer and brewing was an inherent part of society since ancient times. I was later gripped by the science, engineering, and artistic sides of brewing. I started brewing at age 19, graduated as a food engineer at age 23 and have been brewing continuously for 32 years. Beer has allowed me to make a living, travel all over the world, and be part of the amazing world beer community.

Perché giudica alla World Beer Cup? Cosa significa per lei giudicare alla World Beer Cup?

Judging at the World Beer Cup is the utmost honor for a beer professional. Being able to taste the best beers in the world, side by side, and discuss them with some of the most knowledgeable beer professionals in the industry, is an absolute experience. Beer is continuously evolving and the WBC is certainly a place where you see that evolution. As a brewer it helps me understand where the industry is heading and how the boundaries of quality keep getting raised.

Shaun O’Sullivan

California, Stati Uniti

Come è entrato nel settore della birra? Perché la birra è importante per lei?

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.

Perché giudica alla World Beer Cup? Cosa significa per lei giudicare alla World Beer Cup?

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.