Around 80 participants from 20 countries competed over two days. After the preliminary round and semifinals, which already demanded extensive expertise and sensory precision, six finalists took the stage.
In the final, each participant had to present a previously unknown, randomly assigned beer. The evaluation criteria included background knowledge of the beer, sensory description, food-pairing recommendations, performance, and overall beer sommelier skills.
The jury placed equal emphasis on expertise, sensory accuracy, and the ability to present the beer in a clear and engaging way.
With Rodenburg and Korr taking the top two spots, the Dutch beer sommelier scene celebrated a special success. Klamminger from Austria completed the podium.
The Beer Sommelier World Championship has been organized by the Doemens Academy in Gräfelfing since 2009. It is held every two years and is considered the most important international platform to showcase the professional expertise and wide-ranging skills of beer sommeliers.
