World Class Judges

Blanca Fresno

Asturias, Spain

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

I started to brew beer 15 years ago. My first contact with independent and craft beer was in Bratislava when I visited a brewpub. Beer is all my life. My passion. I can’t imagine living without beer.

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

It was my goal to judge at the World Beer Cup because it is the most important competition in the world. For me, judging there is my top experience with beer in a beer competition. It was amazing. The professionalism during the journey was incredible.

Carlo Graciano

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

I started home brewing in 2009 and fell in love with beer industry. I co-founded my first brewery in 2014, Santo Domingo Brewing Co. We started small and grew to a 10bbl system. I was the COO overseeing the brewers. In 2016, I co-founded Cerveceria Punta Cana, and we started importing our flagship beer, Canita, with the intention to gain market to be able to start with a bigger brewery. I sold SDBC in 2020. Our first locally brewed Canita came out April 2021, that year we brewed 1,400 HL and we have grown to almost 24,000 HL a year.

I started my formal beer education in 2018 with the Cicerone Certification Program and in 2019 obtained the Certified Cicerone level and in 2024 the Advanced Cicerone level.

I started judging beer in 2019, and been traveling to beer cups every year after the pandemic to Colombia, Mexico, Brasil, Argentina, and the World Beer Cup in 2024.

Beers is not only a job for me. It is a way of life, and traveling to different beers competitions has become my way of meeting new people and seeing new places.

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 means judging the best beers in the world with the best judges out there. It means that at each table you share feedback with judges with vast experience in the styles being judged.

Phil Joyce

Colorado, United States

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

I got into beer as a homebrewer and a founding member of the Avery Brewing Company’s “Homebrewers and Bottle Collectors Support Group,” as well as the homebrew club Hop Barley and the Alers in Boulder, Colo. After homebrewing for a few years, I was the founding head brewer of Powder Keg, which was my first opportunity to make brewing my career.

Beer matters to me because of the community of people that it brings together. I have always found a group of people that have supported me, and provided me with opportunities to express myself technically and artistically. The beer industry has provided me with lifelong friends and an opportunity to learn from a diverse group of people.

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

I judge because I want to continuously learn and expand my palate and give back to the community that has given me so much. It’s wonderful to network and meet other beer professionals and support the Brewers Association through judging every year. This past year I had the opportunity to judge with a number of international judges and their shared insights provided incredible education outside the style guidelines and brought unmatched validity to the competition that I haven’t experienced elsewhere.

Francesca Morbidelli

Florence, Italy

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

I love drinking good beer. I started about twenty years ago. I looked for beers that were unusual, I discovered the beers made by homebrewers, I go in touch with the very first Italian craft breweries. At that time, craft beer renaissance was yet to come! As the Italian craft beer movement was taking its first steps, I co-founded one of the first Italian associations for the promotion of beer culture, where I organized beer culture and tasting courses and wrote for newspapers and blogs. As a matter of fact, I was the first Italian female beer blogger: I’m the founder of the blog pintamedicea.com. Meeting Charlie Papazian in Florence many years ago (around 2010) and listening to Eric Wallace’s talk in Rimini a couple of years later, sparked my curiosity and passion for the history of American craft beer, a subject I now teach in our beer courses as educator. I’m always eager to collaborate with the Brewers Association. I translate their articles and host them on my blog. I wrote and translated countless articles about the American craft beer movement.

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 such an important international competition, and being a judge there was a great honor and a great pleasure. I’ve been a beer judge for about fifteen years and the WBC was a crucial experience for me. I’m passionate about American craft beer. Whenever it’s possible I try to collaborate with the Brewers Association, so I was so excited too be invited at the WBC. I really enjoyed the international atmosphere I found in Colorado, the BA volunteers were fantastic, I was thrilled to meet judges from all over the world and to reunite with many friends. Being part of an international judging panel is always an enriching experience, especially in terms of connecting with other beer cultures.

George Reisch

Missouri, United States

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

I am a fourth-generation brewmaster in the Reisch family, which owned and operated the Reisch Brewery in Springfield, Illinois, for 117 years, from 1849 to 1966. My dad was the last Reisch brewmaster at the Reisch Brewery. After retiring from a 37-year brewing career, I started Reisch Charities, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, in 2018 and brewed the first Reisch Beer in 53 years, with all profits going to our charity. We tapped the first keg at my dad’s 100th birthday party, and he was so happy!

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

The World Beer Cup has the best judge panel made up of fabulous human beings with spectacular tasting ability. The best beers plus the best judges leads to a pure beer experience. A beer retreat! I am so humbled to be included as a judge!

Matthew Peetz

Colorado, United States

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

I started homebrewing in grad school while studying cellular repair using yeast as a model organism. My grad advisor was in charge of the Rocky Mountain Microbrewing Symposium and I was able to meet industry experts while volunteering at the event. I continued to work with yeast as a research professional at University of Colorado Denver before moving to the Brewing Science Institute. I used my expertise with propagating yeast to work in the biofuel industry before founding Inland Island with a co-worker. I have spent the last five years building my own business, Propagate Lab, which provides yeast for the brewing, distilling, and cider industries.

Beer is meant for enjoyment. It can transport you to anywhere in the world as you taste thousands of years of human experience and history. With hundreds of yeast, hop, grain, and other ingredient varieties, almost any flavor, texture, and color of beer can be produced for your enjoyment. You can pick apart the flavor, color, mouthfeel, and aroma. Or you can just slam down crushable lagers. That is what is so great about beer!

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

Beer is a wonderful combination of culture, history, art and science. Brewers work tirelessly to create something that the public can enjoy. Those that are masters of their craft should be recognized at the highest level, which is winning a World Beer Cup award. The brewers are serious about what they do and should be judged by knowledgeable and professional judges. I have 10 years of industry experience, lead sensory training programs at a local University, and have traveled extensively in Europe. I believe that I am well trained and passionate enough to make sure that every beer sample is being judged as it should be.

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.

Agus Blanco

Madrid, Spain

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

My journey began behind the bar, serving patrons and forging connections with both the bartending team and the final drinker. This experience sparked a passion for understanding spirits like whisky and, especially, beer. I saw myself as a bridge between the consumer and the producer, eager to be the door that welcomes people into the world of flavors.

For over a decade, I’ve continuously honed my communication skills in the realms of beer, whisky, and now mezcal. My passion evolved into expertise, allowing me to train both brewers and judges at Lúpulo Digital’s tasting gym. I help them hone their sensory skills to craft and appreciate exceptional beverages. My focus lies in optimizing flavor and aroma profiles for breweries, ensuring their beers capture consumer hearts (and taste buds!).

In 2023, I had the honor of judging prestigious international competitions across the globe, expanding my knowledge of diverse beer styles and trends (Brazil, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, Spain). Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue this journey in 2024 (U.S., Italy, Mexico, etc.).

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 was a challenging yet enriching experience. Exchanging knowledge with fellow judges, from all corners of the globe and brewing generations, is truly special. The Brewers Association’s legacy as a craft beer revolution leader makes connecting with these judges even more meaningful. The vast knowledge and diverse perspectives at the WBC have challenged and broadened my understanding of beer. This event highlighted the ever-evolving world of beer, a community brimming with creativity and pushing boundaries. I’m grateful for this experience and excited to see the BA continue fostering innovation and inspiring future generations of beer lovers.

Sebastian Hohentanner

Tokyo, Japan

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

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!

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 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.

Sebastian Carrillo Miño

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

Since I can remember, beer has always been a mystery for me. I wondered why it had that golden color, why it was so bright and bitter, how it was made. It has always been and continues to be my desire to know how to make the best beer in the world.

I grew up thinking and wanting to know the ways to make it. I started studying chemistry, homebrewing, and working in breweries to be able to make my dream come true. Beer is life for me.

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

What could be better than tasting and rewarding the best beers on the planet and learning from the best judges? It is just a unique and unrepeatable experience.

Craig Thomas

California, United States

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

My first brewing job was meant to be a stepping stone into distilling. However, as I pursued my master’s in brewing and distilling at Heriot-Watt University, I began appreciating beer more and more. To me, it felt like a more experimental, exciting, and forward-thinking craft. The diversity of ingredients, techniques, and historical traditions delivered a broader, more compelling story of flavor and experience than distilled spirits did. There is so much to learn, and each moment of learning is aided or reinforced by sensory experiences that have created very impactful memories for me.

Since graduating in 2014, I’ve done my best to shape my career path by putting myself in situations where I can absorb knowledge from people with different types of expertise. I’ve had the privilege of traveling the world tasting beer while working with Bill Simpson and AROXA. I’ve brewed with some of the best at Firestone Walker Brewing Company, tested my practical and theoretical sensory knowledge as part of the ASBC Sensory Subcommittee, and explored beer dispense in order to earn Master Cicerone. Now, at Abstrax Hops, I’m reevaluating everything I thought I knew about beer. New frontiers never end!

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

There is no other place where so many diverse, knowledgeable, and experienced people gather to taste and talk about beers and beer styles. What better spot to challenge preconceptions, discuss new techniques, and discover new trends? Furthermore, the competition brings in a plethora of world-class examples across so many styles. It is the only place where one can repeatedly experience technical precision and artistic expression in equal measure—sometimes at the same time. Competitions like the World Beer Cup are outlets where a brewer’s intent can be fully grasped and appreciated, as these beers are labors of love, often produced fresh and free from the constraints of distributor deals, consumer preferences, cost-of-goods quandaries, and dispense dilemmas.

Shane McNamara

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

My journey into the beer industry began with homebrewing in Brisbane, Australia, over a decade ago. This led me to undertake a course in brewing science at Ballarat University, and eventually complete a master’s in brewing science at Nottingham University. My passion for beer and brewing education has driven my career path, leading me to also become the first Australian Master Cicerone. This journey from homebrewing to professional brewing, has taken me all over the world and eventually to my current role as global director for beer passion and beyond-beer innovation at AB InBev.

Beer matters to me because it represents a perfect blend of art and science. It’s a product that brings people together, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences. Through my education and career, I’ve come to appreciate the intricacies of brewing and the cultural significance of beer. It’s not just a beverage; it’s a way to connect with history, traditions, and people from around the world. The continuous evolution and innovation within the beer industry keep it exciting and inspiring for me.

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 me to contribute to the global beer community by recognizing and celebrating excellence in brewing. It’s an opportunity to support the industry by providing valuable feedback to brewers, helping them improve and innovate. Judging also keeps my sensory skills sharp and broadens my understanding of different beer styles and brewing techniques. It’s a privilege to be part of such a prestigious event and to witness firsthand the diversity and creativity that brewers bring to the table.

Being involved in World Beer Cup is an honor and a responsibility. It means being part of a global community dedicated to the highest standards of brewing excellence. It’s a chance to taste and evaluate beers from around the world, learning from each one and contributing to the continuous improvement of the industry. For me, it’s not just about awarding medals; it’s about celebrating the passion, craftsmanship, and innovation that go into every beer.