Ben Edmunds

Oregon, United States

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

My journey in beer began as an enthusiast of beer around the year 2000, initially as an extension of my interest in local food. Brewpubs in small towns around the East Coast seemed like hubs of local food and culture. I began homebrewing and really caught the craft beer bug when I moved to Colorado. Fast forward a few years: I decided to make a career out of my hobby, and I’ve been in the beer industry ever since.

To this day, I still am wowed by how broad and diverse beer is as a beverage. I view my profession as being part of a centuries-long tradition of craftsmanship, and the practice of brewing — of being a brewer — is at once humbling and satisfying. I find myself challenged to refine and improve my technical and creative skills again and again.

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

It’s difficult to imagine gathering a more talented and knowledgeable cohort of beer industry experts in a single place to taste and discuss beer. Getting to sit at the judge tables with my peers is an incredible privilege, and I know that engaging in those conversations makes me a better, more precise brewer.

Steve Luke

Washington, United States

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

In the summer of 2005, I found myself packing boxes and sweeping floors at a local brewery — and I was hooked!

The beauty of beer and brewing is that it can be as complicated or as simple you make it out to be, and finding that happy medium is up to each and every brewer. There are endless wormholes to seek knowledge and solutions, and continuously evolving techniques, equipment and ingredients. But at the same time, the brewing process is still timeless and logical. Good beer is good beer, no matter how you get there!

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 allows you to meet people with different backgrounds in the beer industry from all over the world. It’s engaging, exciting, and often challenging. And it gives you an unrivaled snapshot of the current state of beer — from a quality standpoint, to trends and experimentation, to observing and developing beer style parameters.

Lance Chavez

Idaho, United States

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

I got into the beer industry after I graduated college and decided that instead of pursuing a career with my degree I wanted to find a trade that I enjoyed. I was lucky that my friend Josh King who is the brewmaster at Sockeye Brewing needed some help and the job just fit me.

Beer matters to me because I take pride in my work and enjoy producing beers that can be enjoyed by a wide variety of beer lovers. Just like any craftsman who has high expectations for themselves, I hold my beers to a high standard which I believe ends up in a quality product that I am proud to put in a glass.

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

It is a privilege to be invited to participate in the World Beer Cup judging panel. I am both humbled and honored to be able to help seek out the best beers in the competition. It is also a privilege to be able to judge alongside the panel of beer experts that the Brewers Association assembles. My beer knowledge and appreciation for the many unique beer styles we are able to sample always grows after each judging experience.

What else would you like the world to know?

The people behind the scenes of the World Beer Cup deserve a huge amount of respect and credit. There are so many people who volunteer their time to help sort entries, steward tables for the judges, coordinate the competition, feed the crew, and so much more. Most of these people don’t get paid but donate their time all for the love of beer. Cheers to all of those unsung heroes.

William Simmons

Kent, United Kingdom

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

I have over 30 years of experience in the brewing industry and have worked with regional brewers including Samuel Smith, Batemans, Ruddles, Caledonian, and Fullers. This was mainly on the commercial side, but with good access to the production side, too.

Ten years ago I decided to set up my own consultancy to use my expertise in off-trade, free trade, national accounts, and export to support the growing craft brewery industry. Passionate about this marketplace, I have worked closely with breweries such as Beavertown, Wimbledon, Old Dairy, and Westerham, as well as supporting a mobile canning operation with routes to market.

I have ten years of judging experience after being mentored by Derek Prentice and John Keeling. I also judge food at the Quality Food Awards and World Steak Challenge. Beer matters because it’s part of everyday life, and the pub is integral to this in the UK. My passion is and always will be great cask beer. It’s the food of life itself and should never be taken for granted. I love talking over a pint about beer to my dear friends and colleagues across the globe.

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 because it’s the most prestigious competition on the planet. The sheer quality and quantity of the entries is mind-boggling. Getting together with likeminded people from many different countries and sharing views and knowledge is essential for one’s education. The beer community is very diverse and the people are all knowledgeable and friendly, and willing to share their knowledge. It also makes me very proud that I am considered to be one of those chosen few to participate.