OnTap Magazine

WHY ENTER THE WORLD BEER CUP? A PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES T here are many international beer competitions but none so big as the World Beer Cup ® (WBC), organised by the Brewers Association, the not-for- profit trade association representing small and independent American craft breweries, which this year attracted 10,213 entries from 2,376 breweries and 51 countries. Established in 1996 and now annual, it’s the largest and most competitive beer competition in the world. A panel of 272 judges from 26 countries evaluated entries over 18 sessions and nine days with the third and final phase taking place in Nashville, TN alongside Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America ® . Having recently judged my first World Beer Cup, I was blown away by the integrity of the competition, the efficiency of the operation and the professionalism of my fellow judges. Co-ordinating more than 10,000 entries is a major logistical and organisational challenge but the Brewers Association, with new competition director Chris Williams competently at the helm, pulled it off with aplomb. Here’s how it’s done: VOLUNTEERS The behind-the-scenes operation is a well- oiled machine that runs like clockwork thanks to an army of highly efficient volunteers (175 in total) from the local beer enthusiast community, with the exception of those from local breweries in case integrity is compromised. • Each judging table is assigned a table captain and two stewards who appear likemagic exactly when the next samples are needed. • They’re responsible for pouring the beer into tasting cups, labelling them correctly, delivering to the judges’ tables at the appropriate time and returning the entry summary sheets to the organisers. • They check and re-check entries to ensure correct representation. ORGANISATION The attention to detail is an impressive hallmark of the competition. • Judging is 100% blind and a beer that makes it through multiple rounds is never given the same entry number twice to maintain anonymity. • Judges are advised to wash clothes in unscented washing powder ahead of arrival and use neutral soap, hand-wash, deodorant etc. In fact, judges should smell of nothing! WITH A PLETHORA OF BEER COMPETITIONS TO CHOOSE FROM WHICH ONES SHOULD BREWERS ENTER AND WHY. LOTTE PEPLOW, BREWERS ASSOCIATION AMERICAN CRAFT BEER AMBASSADOR FOR EUROPE TAKES A DEEP DIVE INTO THE LATEST WORLD BEER CUP ® . FEATURE 14 | Spring 2023 | ontapmag.co.za