Kathia Zanatta

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

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.

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

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 Carrillo Miño

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

Da quando ho memoria, la birra è sempre stata un mistero per me. Mi chiedevo perché avesse quel colore dorato, perché fosse così brillante e amara, come venisse prodotta. Il mio desiderio è sempre stato e continua a essere quello di sapere come si fa la migliore birra del mondo.

Sono cresciuto pensando e volendo conoscere i modi per produrla. Ho iniziato a studiare chimica, homebrewing e a lavorare nei birrifici per poter realizzare il mio sogno. La birra è la vita per me.

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

Cosa c'è di meglio che assaggiare e premiare le migliori birre del pianeta e imparare dai migliori giudici? È un'esperienza unica e irripetibile.

Andres Quiros

San Jose, Costa Rica

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

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.

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

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.

Bruna de Oliveira

Sao Paulo, Brazil

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

During my chemical engineering degree, I had the opportunity to intern at Grupo Petrópolis, a Brazilian company with 100% national capital. I enjoyed this experience and realized that the beverage industry fascinated me, though I hadn’t yet identified the area I connected with most. After graduating, I had the chance to return to the company, this time as a professional in the quality assurance department, focusing on beverage sensory analysis. It was then that I realized this area was the perfect fit for me, and I’ve continued my career in this sector with a great passion for what I do. Beer is important to me because it has helped me find and develop myself as a professional.

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

Based on my experience and training in sensory analysis and beer, I naturally set some career goals. One of them was to become an international judge, and in 2024, my opportunity arrived. I had the honor of being part of the sensory panel at the World Beer Cup. I feel fulfilled to have been part of a competition recognized worldwide for its excellence and quality. I learned a great deal during the competition and returned home with immense gratitude.