The judging panel has been announced for the International Brewing and Cider Awards, to be held at Depot Mayfield, Manchester, in March.
The panel will be led by Rob McCaig, who has more than 42 years’ industry experience, including 11 years as managing director at the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre, and 22 years at Molson Canada.
The full panel comprises:
- Bjarke Bertelsen, liquid innovation manager at Carlsberg, Denmark
- Daniel Carey, co-founder of New Glarus Brewing Co, USA
- Eric Hinrichsen, brewer at Yards Brewing Co, USA
- Genevieve Upton, head brewer at Harbour Brewing Co, UK
- Jennifer Glanville, brewer and director of brewery programmes at Boston Beer Co, USA
- Jun Kubota, global chief brewer at Asahi Group Holdings, Europe
- Kyle Moskovitz, brewing manager at Newlands Brewery, South Africa
- Lara Lopes, head brewer at Round Corner Brewing, UK
- Marcio Buffolo, brewer at Mountain West, USA
- Masafumi Morita, brewmaster at Yo Ho Brewing, Japan
- Matthew Tiplady, brewer at JW Lees, UK
- Oliver Wesseloh, founder of Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei, Germany
- Paolo Gugole, co-founder of Bräustüberl Brewery München, Italy
- Paddy Johnson, director at Windsor and Eton Brewery, UK
“We have some of the best brewers in the world judging this prestigious competition, and it’s their participation which underpins the International Brewing Awards’ credibility,” said Rob.
“The awards prides itself on the unique judging process, which ensures each beer is judged fairly and rigorously on its quality and commercial value by those practising within the industry. It is these values that sets us apart.
“Now is such an exciting time for the industry, and as consumers palates are becoming more discerning, recognition for the technical skill and taste of your product by commercially practising brewers will ensure products stand out from the crowd.
Rob McCaig
“If you want to showcase your product and see how they fair amongst the best in the world, there is no better competition.”
For the first time in 137 years, the awards will be accompanied by a public festival, the International Brewing and Cider Festival. This will offer a rare opportunity for attendees to taste such a wide range of local, national, and international products.
