Judges
This year’s judging team
Maurizio Maestrelli
Head Judge
ITALY
Journalist and author. Responsible for the Italian magazine “Il Barman”. Judge and table leader in various international competitions for beers and spirits, such as the Brussels Beer Challenge and World Beer Awards. Author of beer and bar books. His latest book “La Grammatica della Birra” was published last year in Italy. Member of the Greek Beer Awards judges in 2018, 2021 and Technical Director since 2023.
Matthias Kopp
Judge
GERMANY
Francesca Morbidelli
Judge
ITALY
Francesca has been a beer taster and tutor since early 2000. She is a beer-writer mostly on the specialized blog Pintamedicea.com, and an international judge with more than fifteen years of experience: World Beer Cup, World Beer Awards, Birra dell’Anno, Barcelona Beer Challenge, and many more.
Markus Raupach
Judge
GERMANY
Born and living in Bamberg, Germany. Journalist, Photographer. Studied German Language and History, started his company in 1997. Founder of the German Beer Academy, Host Podcast BierTalk, Author of over 60 Books, Beer Educator, International Beer Judge all over the World, Speaker. Beer Sommelier, Cheese Sommelier, Spirit Sommelier. President of the German Beer Consumers Union, President of the Bavarian Spirit Sommeliers Association, Board Member of the Franconian Breweries Association. Member of the Greek Beer Awards judges in 2021.
Judith Boyle
Judge
IRELAND
Judith Boyle is a lecturer in beverages at Technological University of Dublin. Specializing in beer, wine, spirits, mixed drinks. She is an Institute of Brewers and Distillers (IBD) accredited Beer Sommelier, an award-winning member of the Guild of Beer Writers and international beer & spirits judge. Judith works as a drink’s consultant designing beverage visitor experiences, spirits, craft beer and wine staff training, food pairing, drinks menus and beverage sales strategy.
Andreas Fält
Judge
SWEDEN
Andreas has been selling and promoting beer across the globe from Leeds in northern England since 2006. Brewers Association’s American Craft Beer Ambassador in Europe from 2012 to 2015. Speaker, judge, and instructor about beer in the UK, the USA, and Europe. Today he is working as an export consultant/agent, Restless Gypsy, helping to set the stage for breweries around the world to sell their delicious brews.
Lana Svitankova
Judge
UKRAINE
Lana is a Ukrainian beer author, translator, educator, avid traveler, and foodie, currently based in Zurich, Switzerland. Writing about beer is her way of sharing love and knowledge about the drink in her homeland, and letting the world discover the young Ukrainian beer scene. Being a Certified BJCP Judge, Certified Cicerone, and Certified (AF)icionado, she judges both homebrewing and commercial competitions of all sizes locally and around the world.
Shachar Hertz
Judge
ISRAEL
Shachar is considered to be Israel’s leading beer expert. A UC Davis brewing graduate, certified Cicerone, and recognized BJCP. He is also a writer of two beer books, a beer tour organizer and guide. The owner of Beer & Beyond, which is a beer promotion business, the biggest craft beer shop and brewing school in Israel. An active international beer judge, with experience and participation in competitions around the world.
Nadhine França
Judge
BRAZIL
Nadhine is a brewer, beer sommelier, Cicerone Certified BS, and international beer judge. She is the Business Development of CEBC. Former president of the Brazilian Craft Beer Association (ABRACERVA) and director of a local chapter of the Brazilian Home Brewers Association. Organizer of competitions and conferences since 2017 and beer events since 2015. Founder of the ABRACERVA Diversity Committee (2020) and promoter of the ABRACERVA Code of Ethics.
Stavros Photiou
Judge
CYPRUS
Stavros Photiou is a food scientist and a brewer with master’s degrees in both fields. He has over 15 years of experience in brewing, working in various roles such as brewer, quality manager, and operations manager for regional and multinational brewers. He has brewed multiple styles of beer, ranging from lagers to ales. He is passionate about exploring the impact of AI on the brewing industry and using AI tools to enhance the quality and efficiency of the brewing process.
