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Meet Our Judges

The New York International Beer Competition is the only International Beverage Competition judged by trade buyers who assess the product by category as well as actual price. If you’re looking to break into the New York Market and have your products tasted by multiple trade buyers, this competition is for you.

This Year's Judges Panel:

Cesar Andrade
President/Owner Craft Culture

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
Good Beer Seal & 2021 Bethpage Best of the Boro

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
A DIPA 4pk and an Imperial Stout with a beer glass from a local brewery for one person as a Christmas gift

NYIBC Interview
Sadaf Asmolova
Owner/Buyer at "Beer Town"
WebsiteNYIBC Interview
Anne Beccera
Buyer at Treadwell Park
InstagramWebsite
Kendall Alvarez Eskew
Owner at The Thirsty Quaker

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
BJCP Nationally Ranked (Beer Judge Certification Program)
Owner of Hudson County's only homebrew supply shop

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
Absinthe for my world-traveling mother
A collection of Three Floyds beers and some stouts for my beer-loving cousin
Homemade wine and beer for everybody in the family

NYIBC Interview
Chris DeCicco
Buyer at DeCicco & Sons
Website
Julio Galarza
Craft Culture
NYIBC Interview
TJ Griffenkranz
Beer Manager

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
Assistant Beer Manager

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
A bottle of Lewelling Cabernet

Ryan Kubek
Craft Beer & Cider Buyer

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
Cicerone Level 1- Certified Beer Server

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
Ommegang Brewery- "The Royal Reserve Collection"
Hand of the Queen- Barleywine Ale
Queen of the Seven Kingdoms- Sour Blonde Ale Blend
Mother of Dragons- Smoked Porter & Kriek Ale Blend
King in the North- Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

InstagramTwitterWebsite
Zach Mack
Owner/Buyer at ABC Beer Co. + Taco Vista + Governor's Beer Co.

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
Certified Cicerone

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
I sent my stepdad a bottle of Redbreast Lustau cask edition

NYIBC Interview
Joel Suarez
Craft Beer Beverage Consultant, Beer Diversity/Inclusion Collaboration Curator, Founder of Uptown Beer Society, Commission Graphic/Chalk Artist, Bartender

Previous Positions
Beer Buyer, Beverage Manager, Craft Beer Sales Account Executive, Craft Brewery Sales Rep & more. Employed at Breweries, Bars, Restaurants, Beer Shoppes, Wholesalers, Distributors & more.

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
-Cicerone Certified Beer Server
-Responsible for leading 13 collaborations that focused on diversity & inclusion which portions of proceeds of sales at both brewery and bars went to the benefit of various organizations

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
Separatist Beer Project Uzes - an oak-aged Saison for my bestie

NYIBC Interview
James Tai
Beverage Director
NYIBC Interview
David Urbanos
Bar Owner at Ciceone
Joe Vicidomini
Owner at Craftsman Ale House
NYIBC Interview
Brian Winget
Beer Consultant + Bartender at Someday Bar
NYIBC Interview
Adam Wolloch
Director of Purchasing at Half Time in Mamaroneck and Poughkeepsie

Previous Positions
Pretty much every position one could hold in a retail environment

Certifications, Awards & Credentials
10 years in the Beer Industry
6 doing purchasing

What was the last boozy gift you bought for someone you cared about?
A magnum of Anchor Christmas 2020

Meet The Judges!

Hear from some of our past judges about what makes our beer competition so unique:

See More Judges Interviews

Visit our YouTube channel to find more interviews from our beer judges, plus interviews with our expert wine & spirits judges

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The International Beverage Competition Series
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