Léon Rodenburg from the Netherlands is the new World Champion Beer Sommelier
It was a neck-and-neck race: the high-caliber jury certainly did not have an easy time choosing the new Beer Sommelier Champion. In the end, however, the result was close: Léon Rodenburg from the Netherlands impressed the jury in Munich on September 14th, 2025, with his outstanding stage presence and excellent communication and sensory skills – and was crowned the eighth world champion of beer sommeliers.
For the 2025 World Championship, 93 beer sommeliers from 18 nations and four continents traveled to Munich to determine the best of the best. It became clear early on that victory and defeat would be decided by nuances, as the level of performance was extremely high. The competition began on September 13, 2025, at Doemens with two preliminary rounds (recognizing beer flavors and beer styles) and continued the next day at the Munich Exhibition Center with the semifinals and finals.
The ten best participants from five countries qualified for the semi-finals, which were held in a knockout format, with the six best advancing to the grand final. The audience created a fantastic atmosphere in the packed hall. A high-caliber jury consisting of former world beer sommelier champions evaluated the finalists based on clear criteria: sensory assessment of the beer, in-depth background knowledge (storytelling), appropriate food pairings, and overall performance on stage.
Each finalist was assigned a blind beer. The challenge was to present this beer in a competent and exciting way – including a sensory description and a common thread in the presentation. In a thrilling final, Léon Rodenburg from the Netherlands ultimately emerged as the deserved winner. He succeeded most impressively in inspiring the jury and audience with his profound knowledge of La Trappe Tripel, coupled with presentation skills and emotion. Second place went to Dennis Kort, also from the Netherlands, and third place went to Oliver Klamminger from Austria.
Further information about the World Cup
