As many of you on the small craft side of things know, one of the ironies of being a brewer is that you can't afford to drink classic beer styles in their ancestral homes. But wait... maybe you can! Rob McCaig - a retired Chief Brewer at SABMiller / Asahi Breweries Europe, and the Program Director of the MBAA Brewing and Malting Science Course - recently reached out to ask if I know anyone who would like to be a judge at this year's International Brewing Awards in Manchester, England. The event is March 19-21, and lodging + hotel meals are covered by the organization (as is entry to the beer/cider festival afterward). You'd still need to pay for your own travel, which isn't cheap, but the overall cost would be a steal compared with simply taking a vacation there on your own. You don't have to be trained as a judge, but you do need to be a working professional in brewing or cider making. See www.brewingawards.org for more information. If you're interested, let me know and I'll put you in touch with Rob.
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Joe Walts
Quality Manager and R&D Brewer
Karben4 Brewing
Madison WI
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