World Class Judges

Rene Aduan Junior

São Paulo, Brazil

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

I’ve worked in beer industry since 2004, first as a beer taster (sommelier), then as a brewmaster in biotechnology and science. For 15 years I’ve been teaching the new guys “how to taste beer” in a sommelier course in ESCM and at Doemens achademy in Brasil. Beer is my priority and unconditional love.

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 refined world competition, with the best selection of judges. It is a pleasure to be part of this event, sharing knowledge to the market. The exchange of experiences between everyone who participates is the solid basis that motivates me to participate since 2014. This competition is the best way to celebrate all the values ​​that beer represents in our society!

Diego Setti

Florida, United States

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

I started homebrwing in 2010 in Buenos Aires, and became a Beer Judge Certification Program judge in 2012. Between 2012 and 2017, I gave many talks and trainings for the Asociación Civil Somos Cerveceros, which is the Argentine equivalent of the American Homebrewers Association.

In 2016, after a 6 months stay in Germany, I started doing some beer styles consultancies. In 2017, I quit my IT job to focus 100% on beer. I started a beer education institute called Zeta Atelier de Cervezas, offering a wide range of trainings and courses for beer enthusiasts and professionals. During that time I also became a Certified Cicerone and a Doemens Academie Biersommelier.

All that called the attention of many investors and entrepreneurs, so I accepted an offer to join the team of Prison Pals Brewing Company at the end of 2019 and I moved to Florida in 2020 to start that project, where I designed the layout and all the technical specs of the brewery. Now I’m working as brewmaster.

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 one of the most prestigious beer competitions around the world and for sure is the biggest of all of them. It takes a lot of effort to become a part of the tasting panel: I applied for the first time in 2017 for the 2018 edition and for different reasons I’ve been able to have the honor of judging here for the first time in 2023. It’s a unique experience, where you taste world-class beers with a top notch tasting panel from every corner of the world.

Kevin Ashford

California, United States

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

I discovered craft beer in college while bartending at a restaurant in Harrisonburg, VA. We had about 100 rotating bottles and cans, and I was able to try one at the end of each shift. I was amazed at the variety in beer, and became fascinated by its history and regionality. After getting my degree in international affairs, I discovered I really just liked people and wanted to learn of ways to bring them together. Beer seemed like a good way to do that. I decided to forego my opportunity to work on Capitol Hill in D.C. to fall back on bartending and learn more about beer. One of my regulars at this bar in Maryland was a seasoned brewer at our midsized regional brewery. When I asked him one day if any floor sweeping jobs were available, his ears perked up. He set me up with an interview with the Brewmaster and I was hired on the spot. I fell in love with beer making, and the rest is history. Beer matters to me because it has withstood the test of time. It is a champion of bringing us all together.

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

I judge at the WBC to honor brewers past, present, and future. I believe consumers have the right to enjoy high quality beer, and WBC challenges brewers to provide beer of the highest quality. Judging at the World Beer Cup is so important to me, because I really care about beer and its history. I want to ensure that classic styles remain abundant for generations to enjoy. It is an honor to adjudicate beers from all over the world and share the enthusiasm for the past time of beer making.

Markus Raupach

Bavaria, Germany

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

I was born and raised in Bamberg and practically imbibed our beer culture with my mother’s milk. As I grew older, beer first became my passion and then my profession, not only in Germany but all over the world. I am the author of over 60 books and games about beer, including the chronicle of the German Brewers’ Association, host Germany’s most successful beer podcast with over 250 episodes, am a beer judge at the most important competitions worldwide and train beer sommeliers and beer judges throughout Europe with the German Beer Academy. As a Nominated Beer Educator, I have also recently started doing this for WSET. And it’s really funny to see what has become of the first sips of Bamberg Rauchbier…

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 special for me in many ways. For one, I get to learn about many different parts of U.S. beer culture and have already made many new friends across the U.S. Of course, I also learn a lot about the current and historical beers of the USA. On the other hand, I can bring my European-influenced, but also very extensive international experience to the table and share it with the judges. This results in exciting discussions, which are always enriching for everyone involved thanks to the different perspectives. I also really enjoy the supporting program and the CBC, which I always enjoy attending.

Ignacio Curto

Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

I started homebrewing in 2006 and in 2013, with some friends, started a commercial project so we could drink the beers we wanted. I left my aeronautical engineering job in R&D to work and live from beer (or at least try to, hehe).

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

It’s a great pleasure to judge beers, share experiences and knowledge with people from all over the world. Each time I travel thanks to beer I feel rewarded in many ways—friendship, pleasure, new ideas, knowledge. The World Beer Cup is probably the biggest opportunity to experience all this.

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!

Dominic Charbonneau

Quebec, Canada

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

Like most brewers, I started as a homebrewer, and decided to offer more flavor to the people by starting my brewery. To do this, I needed to understand and know beer styles and taste them, so I studied and traveled to taste every style of beer. This led to earning Beer Judge Certification Program and Cicerone credentials, which now help me every day in the brewery.

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

Judging the World Beer cup is like judging at the Olympics. It is a huge competition where the best of the best are represented. The challenge of finding the appropriate beer for the style in every flight is incredible and a great training for developing my tasting skill, and of course to help brewers understand their product.

Kathia Zanatta

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

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.

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

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.

Rick Kempen

Noord Holland, Netherlands

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

For well over thirty years, my life has been all about beer. Flunking out of university because of my side job as a waiter in De Pilsener Club turned out to be one of the best things to happen to me. In 1998, I joined Bier&cO, one of Europe’s leading beer import and distribution companies, dedicated to bringing craft beer from all over the globe to the people.

Having held various positions within Bier&cO, I eventually shaped its export department by representing a handful of American craft breweries. Together with a handful of others we pioneered the European market which helped start a European ‘beer revolution.’

Today, I am beer ambassador at Bier&cO, traveling around the globe, promoting and educating about a portfolio of special, exciting, and one-of-a-kind craft beers. I am a certified beer sommelier (Doemens Diplom-Biersommelier) and co-founded Dutch Beer Week as well as the Dutch Beer Challenge, a competition for Dutch beers. I like to see myself as a professional beer connoisseur who has had the pleasure of making a hobby out of his work. Beer, consequently, means everything to me!

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

Judging at World Beer Cup means you get to learn from fellow judges from all over the world, all bringing their specific expertise. Talking with your peers is a rare opportunity to better yourself in beer. Also, it gives you the opportunity to taste beers from breweries who take their business and craftmanship seriously. They dare to have their beers evaluated by professionals, using their feedback to improve their creations. Contributing to that, and doing that by tasting some of the best beers in the world without knowing what they are, is a huge honor, privilege, and pleasure.

What else would you like the world to know?

Participating as a brewery, you not only compete for awards, but you get valuable feedback from a professional and skilled group of tasters. Do it!

Carl Kins

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

My interest in beer started at an early age. In Belgium you are allowed to drink beer at 16, and I did so, visiting my first brewery at age 17. I always had an interest in all aspects of beer—the history, ingredients, production, styles, etc. My knowledge is built on reading a lot about beer and on visiting hundreds of breweries around the world. I started writing about all this a few decades ago for various international magazines. Next to that, the demise/takeover of a lot of small breweries in the 1970s and 1980s incited me to get involved in consumer action groups in order to fight for diversity, fair taxation, etc., both on national and European level.

Beer matters because it is the best social lubricant there is. It is affordable and has the largest taste universe of any alcoholic beverage.

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

The World Beer Cup can be considered the Olympic Beer Games. Not only the participants but also the judges have international backgrounds, and this helps and continues to improve my knowledge of the beer world greatly, through tasting, talking and discussing.

Damon Scott

Colorado, United States

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

I discovered craft beer at a local restaurant owned by a homebrewer. While wrapping up a degree in chemistry (with no idea what I would do with said degree), I dove into homebrewing. I suddenly realized there was something tangible I could make, using my creative spirit and my analytical brain. Brewing provides the opportunity to learn about farming, plant physiology, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and so much more. I realized early on that one is never bored while working in the brewing industry!

Beer matters to me because it allows me to make something that other people can experience viscerally.

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 truly an honor. I always find myself judging with incredibly experienced and knowledgeable people, who are simultaneously humble and approachable. The judging process constantly challenges my own assumptions about how I perceive the complex matrix that is beer. Judging also provides context through which I can view the beer I make, and evaluate it more objectively.

It is easy to get caught up in your own small world as a brewer. Nothing tears off the blinders like judging at the World Beer Cup. Tasting incredible beers inspires me to make better beer and question my assumptions. That perspective is invaluable.

Ai Tani

Osaka-shi Kitaku Oyodonaka, Japan

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

“Almost 30 years ago, small-scale brewing began in Japan. At that time, imported German and Belgian beers were occasionally available in Japan. Small-scale brewing had begun, but there were few high-quality beers and few good brewers. I decided that I would grow as a professional and spread the word about the existence of high-quality beer in Japan. This is why I entered this industry.

Twelve years ago, I decided just acting as a judge was not enough to advance quality standards, so I started running my own bottle shop and beer pub, selecting good quality beer, and providing it to consumers while maintaining quality. Since five years ago, I have also owned a brewery, and while deepening my awareness of beer, I also improve brewing, sipping and serving skills, and support the management of breweries and restaurants.

Beer has a long history and has recently evolved from technological developments and scientific advances. From the current situation, where Japanese historical food and liquor culture is evolving through beer, we believe that we can find an opportunity to build a new beer culture in Japan.

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

Being able to judge at the World Beer Cup, the world’s premier competition, is a source of pride. It is a good opportunity to measure my judging skills.

It was also a great experience how the judges are organized at the World Beer Cup. I believe it is the best competition in the world. The fact that many Japanese have won awards has become a guideline for quality improvement for Japanese brewers. It is also a great place where you can exchange information with beer judges from all over the world.

I was able to talk about my role as a judge and my thinking about evaluation at a high level. I would like to take it back to Japan and use it to educate beer judges and give advice on the growth of the market.

What else would you like the world to know?

If you ever come to Osaka, Japan, please visit our brewery, Craft Beer Base.