World Class Judges

Leigh Maberry Hostetler

Texas, United States

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I entered the beer industry through an internship opportunity for QA and lab work. This was shortly after my first ever craft beer: a classic American pale ale, that completely blew me away with the complexity and delicious flavor craft beer could offer. As a microbiologist and anthropologist, my skill set seemed perfectly matched for the brewing industry. The love for the sensory sciences was a natural progression during my tenure in the industry because at the end of the day, beer is intended to taste cohesively good, which is something analytical data can’t always demonstrate. Beer has been a collaborative effort for millennia and I am excited by the contributions I can offer to encourage growth throughout the industry.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

I judge at the World Beer Cup to expand my knowledge and palate for international classifications and flavors. I judge to meet fellow judges and learn from their wide range of occupations, experiences, and sensory backgrounds. The World Beer cup judging opportunity allows cultural divides and geo-political barriers to be loosened allowing for equal trade of beer enthusiasm and expertise. Bonus: Critically evaluating beer and diving deep into what four simple ingredients can provide and honoring our industry peers creativity is simply fun and rewarding!

What else would you like the world to know?

On average, 75% of the beers we taste throughout judging are good beers. Just because you don’t win an award doesn’t mean you aren’t making great beer. Keep up the good work brew crews and let’s craft beer thriving!

Chris Hotz

California, United States

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I started as a homebrewer in 2004. I won a couple National Homebrew Competition medals and got more involved with my local homebrew club, QUAFF. In 2013, I enrolled in the brewing certificate program at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). The next year I was hired at Ballast Point Brewing as a quality analyst. I was promoted to R&D brewer at the Little Italy R&D facility. By 2019, I was teaching the finishing practices and raw materials courses for the UCSD brewing certificate program. I left Ballast Point in 2022 to become a quality manager at Societe Brewing.

Beer has been a big part of my life since I started homebrewing. I love the creativity and analytical side of brewing, as well as all the friends I have made in the industry.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

Since becoming a Beer Judge Certification Program judge in 2014, I have really enjoyed the judging community and participating in local/national competitions. I have made friends in the community and learned a lot about the behind-the-scenes day-to-day of running a competition. Participating in judging competitions has made me a better taster and brewer.

Amaey Mundkur

Connecticut, United States

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I fell backwards into beer. I ran out of money while living in Australia and starting home brewing so I could continue to enjoy beer as a 21-year-old. I made a lot of bad alcoholic ginger beer before I learned to brew proper beer. People started buying my homebrew that I made out of my dorm room on the 11th floor of Howitt Hall at Monash University.

After I graduated, I didn’t want to move to Christmas Island in the South Pacific to study predatory ants that feasted on the migrating red crabs.So I picked beer.

Beer matters because it is art and love. It is an expression that is worthy of sharing. It matters to me because it engages with the very core of me, the scientist, the pedant, and the creative. Beer is about community — and as an immigrant from India (and the only Indian World Beer Cup beer judge — yes, out of almost two billion humans) who loves personal expression, it is where I belong.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

I judge beer for a couple of reasons. It’s extremely important to positively impact beer quality. I have been in this industry for almost twenty years and have made beer on four continents. In that time, beer has grown, changed, and become what it is today. It is important to give positive feedback to all those brewers who aspire to be great, and I hope I can be part of that journey.

Judging at the World Beer Cup literally means the world to me. It is an affirmation of my achievements in the industry, as recognized by my peers who have kindly allowed me to judge with them, and to be part of an esteemed group of people that I can learn from. Hoarding information is selfish, while sharing it is selfless. And I hope to learn more.

What else would you like the world to know?

Besides beer, I love all the time I can spend with my wife and dog. I like hitting a little white ball around a large field (golf) and into a tiny hole. I love cooking and my family!

Abram Goldman-Armstrong

Sandefjord, Norway

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I was a big fan of Oregon microbrews growing up in the 1990s and began homebrewing at age 17 when I moved to Minnesota for college and missed the beers from home. While studying at University College Cork in Ireland during my junior year abroad in 1997-98, my local Rumplestiltskins had a great selection of German and Belgian beers. I broadened my knowledge of European beer styles while traveling in Scotland, England, Belgium and the Netherlands with my trusty copy of Michael Jackson’s Pocket Guide to beer. When I returned to Portland after college I joined the Oregon Brew Crew and passed the BJCP exam at the national level. From there I went on to work as a beer writer, festival organizer, bottle shop beer buyer and brewer. I operated my own cidery in Portland from 2013-2019 and moved to Norway in 2020 to launch a cider brand for Fjordfolk Mikrobryggeri where I also became the assistant brewer and took over as head brewer in January 2022. Enjoying the diversity of beer flavours has always been an important part of travel for me, and I enjoy trying beers from around the world.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

Judging at the World Beer Cup is an important way to connect with other brewers, judges, and writers from around the globe. I always learn something from judging, and it makes me a better brewer, as I taste and assess beers with other highly knowledgeable beer people.

What else would you like the world to know?

My favorite category to judge is Historical Beer. I enjoy learning about beer traditions from entrants notes and tasting different interpretations of historical beers from diverse brewing traditions.

Michael König

Bavaria, Germany

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

In 2011, I started as a beer blogger out of love for this topic. At this point in time, craft beer also took off in Germany. Through my blog I had built up a large network with many breweries in a short time. In 2013, I became a beer sommelier at Doemens and in 2014 I switched full-time to an online shop for craft beer. Since 2016 I have been head beer sommelier or brand ambassador for Maisel & Friends at the Gebr. Maisel brewery, a dream job. Beer is my hobby, passion, and profession … my life. I love trying new beers, talking about beer, and discovering beer every day.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

The World Beer Cup is the best beer competition in the world. Sitting at the table as a judge and talking about beer with many well-known beer personalities is an honor and fills me with pride. As a judge at the World Beer Cup you determine the best beers in the world. How cool is that? It is the best job in the world.

Mirella Amato

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I have been working in the beer industry for over 15 years now. I was drawn to the industry because I wanted to raise awareness of, and appreciation for, my local craft beers. Beer is such a varied beverage and can be appreciated on many levels. There’s always more to learn about it and yet, as complex and multi-faceted as it is, it remains approachable.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

I’m honored to have been judging at the World Beer Cup since 2010. For me, it’s a place to share my knowledge and passion. It’s a place to learn from my peers and continue to hone my palate. It’s a place to taste the latest interpretations of styles and spot emerging trends. It’s a community of like-minded people from all over the world that I look forward to reconnecting with every year to hear about what is going on in the world of beer internationally.

Satoshi Murabayashi

Tokyo, Japan

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

Twenty years ago, in Japan, I did not have a chance to taste the diversity of craft beer. On a business trip to the United States, I was totally shocked by the quality, appearance, aroma, and flavor of craft beer. After that experience, I joined the Craft Beer Association and realized that education is important to understand the value of beer; that the quality of beers are critically important for better moments; and that collaboration among global associations and competitions is so important. I am now contributing as a teacher and competition manager for the International Beer Cup in Japan and the Japan Great Beer Awards.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

My first World Beer Cup was in San Diego in 2012. I wanted to contribute to this industry by tasting great beer and giving comments for their innovation. As a person from Asia, I would also share my local expertise with beer and judges here. In addition, I wanted to experience a world-class competition for learning and improving our competitions in Japan.

Masafumi Morita

Nagano, Japan

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

It was 20 years ago when I had my first taste of English Pale Ale and was shocked. It was the moment I discovered the diversity and richness of flavors in beer. From there I went on to drink all kinds of Japanese craft beers and eventually had the opportunity to work for the brands I loved the most.

I think beer is a very important beverage because it is one tool for living a relaxed life, and it promotes community and connection.

Craft beer is also a great new form of industry. The spirit of working together to create a market, rather than each brewery competing for it, is the most important aspect of craft beer. It feels like it represents an improvement over capitalistic economic activity. That’s why I love working in this industry.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

I love the craft beer industry and want to contribute my bit to it. The judging sessions give me tips on how to improve my brewing, and I get to have a great time with my judge friends from around the world — it’s an irreplaceable opportunity for me.

The World Beer Cup is attended by some of the best brewers, journalists, and consultants, and getting to know them and sharing new ideas and information is also a great experience. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this effort for over 10 years. Without this experience, our beers would be of a lesser caliber today.

What else would you like the world to know?

Beer is just a beverage and has no power to heal injuries or illnesses. But we are born in really difficult times, with a lot of stress, and drinking a good craft beer is one oasis. I also feel that the craft beer industry is taking a more democratic, artistic, and organic approach to things. I am hopeful that it will gradually make the world a better place. I encourage you to seek out craft brewers in your area who have a great spirit. And if you can relate to them, please support them.

Ricardo Aftyka

Buenos Aires, Argentina

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I started my beer career very early, at 19 years old, as a brewer. After more than 15 years in which I participated in the founding of the Argentine Brewers Association, wrote articles, made video tutorials and wrote a book, I decided to found my own brewery, Juguetes Perdidos. I have been an International Judge for more than 15 years and thanks to beer I have traveled all over the world and met wonderful people. Today I am 45 years old and my life is completely filled with beer, so much so that my children learned to say “aftertaste” before “dad.” If I had to define in one word what beer means to me, I would say it is “passion.”

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

I trained for many years to be able to enter the World Beer Cup as a judge. It is the highest level we can aspire to as international judges.

Judging at the World Beer Cup is a unique opportunity to learn from other judges, share time and experiences, represent my country, Argentina, and be part of the most important competition in the world of beer.

What else would you like the world to know?

Juguetes Perdidos, my brewery, was the first one to get a Gold award for Argentina at the World Beer Cup!

Wolfgang Lindell

Sor-Trondelag, Norway

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

Having German roots, it’s fair to say that we always celebrated the culture of beer! My main hangout in college was at a brewpub in the nineties and it really inspired me to see the brewer at work with the craft. I also became interested in how technology can obscure reality, to which I sought out disciplines that kept me grounded to the world around us. I interned at a Maltster, graduated in the natural sciences, and eventually continued to work in the industry and attended brew school, becoming a master brewer in 2006. Beer and brewing matter to me in that they’re both an art and a science, a direct connection to the natural world, to agricultural raw materials, to culture and history, and to people.

We all need daily sustenance with food and drink so it’s great to be a part of the communal human journey.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

After working 20 years in the industry, it’s great to be able to give something back. The community of beer is alive and strong, and we need to take care of our own and recognize and foster excellence. It’s also great to be with other inspired colleagues, which allows good discussion and illumination into the current state of affairs of our industry.

Carolina Perez

Caba, Argentina

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

I have been working with beer since 1996. For me, it is a matter of constant research and knowledge. I enjoy beer in many aspects.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

Being a World Beer Cup judge gives me a lot of experience, sharing knowledge with judges from other countries and tasting beers from different parts of the world in a professional context.

Marion Weinberger

Steinbach am Attersee, Austria

How did you get into the beer industry? Why does beer matter to you?

It all started in 2013 when I joined Heineken Brau Union Austria as a brand manager looking after three big beer brands in Austria. One year later the brewery sent me to get an education as a beer sommelier and it triggered my passion for beer. Beer is the most versatile drink in the world and I am still curious about it.

Why do you judge at the World Beer Cup? What does judging at the World Beer Cup mean to you?

It is a very special contest to judge as one of a few of the Europeans and it’s a great honor to be part of it.

What else would you like the world to know?

I am the first Austrian female to be invited to judge in the World Beer Cup. 🙂