World Cup Beer Sommeliers 2019

Beersommeliers worldwide in demand

During the past few years, beer sommeliers have found acceptance within the wider brewing establishment. Ever since 2009, the World Championship of Beer Sommeliers strives to recognise those who bring their skills to bear in this particular field of expertise. The event occurs every two years at a different location, organised and presented by the Doemens Academy, GmbH of Gräfelfing, near Munich, Germany. At the end of September 2019, the champion will once again be sought from among the more than 5,000 beer sommeliers trained by Doemens and his partners worldwide, this time at the Grand Hotel in Rimini, Italy. 80 experts of 19 diverse nationalities have been invited to participate and to demonstrate their skills and knowledge for the judges.

Elisa Raus from Germany earned the title World Champion of Beer Sommeliers at the end of September in Rimini. This year, 80 beer sommeliers from 19 nations competed in the competition organized by Doemens Academy. In preliminary rounds, competitors demonstrated their beer knowledge and sensory assessment skills. In the semi-finals, the best 10 beer sommeliers from the preliminary rounds presented a beer to the jurors. In the final round, the six top competitors presented an unmarked beer to the high-calibre, international jury and to a general audience. Elisa Raus earned this well-deserved acclamation by demonstrating her expert knowledge and having a compelling, on-stage presence. Elisa Raus from Germany succeeded by giving a persuasive, emotional and rousing beer presentation. She will hold the title for the next two years and be a beer ambassador to the world. Third place went to Michael Friedrich from Germany and second place to Patrick Thomi from Switzerland.

The winners of the past championships:

2009: Karl Schiffner (Austria), World Cup in Sonthofen, Germany
2011: Sebastian Priller (Germany), World Cup in Anif, close to Salzburg, Austria
2013: Oliver Wesseloh (Germany), World Cup in Munich, Germany
2015: Simonmattia Riva (Italy), World Cup in São Paulo, Brasil
2017: Stephan Hilbrandt (Germany), World Cup in Munich, Germany
2019: Elisa Raus (Germany), World Cup in Rimini, Italy

Without our loyal and visionary sponsors, organizing and presenting the World Championship of Beer Sommeliers would be impossible. The World Cup receives generous support from the following sponsors, who have dedicated themselves to beer culture and beer diversity. A big thank you to the principal sponsors