National team of beer sommeliers trains for fifth World Cup title
There are already almost 3,000 sommeliers for beer - many turn their hobby into a profession
There are now almost 3,000 trained sommeliers and sommeliers for beer in Germany, some of whom present German and international beer styles to an interested audience in restaurants or breweries, specialist shops, brewing courses or webinars. The Association of Certified Beer Sommeliers, which represents 1,800 sommeliers, is delighted with the high level of interest in the training: "At a time when consumers are placing more and more value on quality, regionality and taste, the role of sommeliers is becoming increasingly important. They create appreciation for beer diversity, make it possible to experience craft-brewed specialties and convey the sensory characteristics with enthusiasm and knowledge," says Nicola Buchner, Managing Director of the Association of Certified Beer Sommeliers.
In 2025, the world champion beer sommelier will be sought for the eighth time in an international competition. Prior to this, national championships will be held in many countries around the world. Teams from all over the world will travel to the final of the world championship on September 13/14, 2025 at Messe München. Up to 100 beer experts from 15 countries are expected to attend the World Championships in Munich. The German team is one of the favorites, as German sommeliers have already won the world championship title four times, with Sebastian Priller from Augsburg in 2011, Oliver Wesseloh from Hamburg in 2013, Stephan Hilbrandt from Bonn in 2017 and Elisa Raus from Stralsund in 2019.
Reigning German champion and team captain Jutta Knoll from Bonn is confident that the national team will once again be successful in September and bring the fifth World Cup title to Germany. The national team consists of two women and 14 men, who train together and attend training camps. "We started preparing a long time ago and are training very hard and with a lot of dedication for the championship," says Jutta Knoll. "The training is varied, demanding and challenges all of our senses." After all, beer sommeliers are far more than just tasters - "we are storytellers and ambassadors of enjoyment," says the beer expert from Bonn. The differences between international beer styles are often only the finest nuances. "That's why we specifically hone our sensory skills and work as a team to develop the special features of each creation - from its history to the right food pairings to the perfect enjoyment experience," says the German champion.
The German Brewers' Association, the umbrella organization for the 1,500 breweries in Germany, has been accompanying and supporting the sommelier movement for years. "Beer is much more than just a drink, it is a cultural asset with a fascinating variety of flavors, brewing styles and traditions," says DBB Managing Director Holger Eichele. "Beer sommeliers are the experts who open up this world for connoisseurs, restaurateurs and the entire beer industry." The DBB is positive about the future of the profession, as the demand for high-quality advice, sensory expertise and the development of new beers is constantly growing. This trend is also confirmed by Nicola Buchner from the Association of Certified Beer Sommeliers. She emphasizes that training as a beer sommelier opens up a wide range of career paths - from beer consultant in the hospitality industry and product development in breweries to event management and further training for specialists. "In particular, the wide range of beer styles, flavors and applications opens up countless opportunities for beer sommeliers to bring beer to life."
Members of the national team of beer sommeliers under the team leadership of German champion Jutta Knoll (Bonn) are Florian Bauer (Berlin), Martin Blickhan (Grafing near Munich), Dr. Markus Fohr (Lahnstein), Peter Heßler (Fürth), Sebastian Hohentanner (Tokyo), Philipp Ketterer (Hornberg/Black Forest), Dang-Stefan La Hong (Hamburg), Melanie Leutenegger (Leipzig), Thomas Pilawa (Geisenfeld/Hallertau), Thorsten Sander (Hanover), Franz van Hops (Leipzig), Matthias Willig (Aschaffenburg), Jürgen Wöhrle (Schenkenzell), Andreas Wölker (Alpirsbach) and Karsten Zinsik (Munich).
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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