Just an evening in Eindhoven. In the Drinkers Pub in the Kerkstraat, several Brabant participants of the World Cup for beer sommeliers came together. Of course to taste beer, because that’s what they do: taste, taste, taste.
Brabant has no fewer than three beer sommeliers who are allowed to go to the World Cup in Munich, next Sunday. Dennis Kort from Eindhoven, Bas Schampers from Breda, and Yoran Zonneveld from Best. Reserve is Ton van Opstal, who can come in if one of a total of five Dutchmen cannot participate.
“It is the skill of recognizing flavors and discovering mistakes in beers,” explains beer sommelier Dennis Kort from Eindhoven. All participants are also involved with beer in daily life and they are looking forward to it: “I have been working on this for twelve years and this will be my second World Cup”, Dennis says. “I normally recognize 9 out of 10 beers.”
“I normally recognize 9 out of 10 beers.”
The Drinkers Pub in Eindhoven is a great place to train for the World Cup. More than 1000 kinds of beer are sold here. Bas Schampers from Breda is pondering at a table with six beers on it. He smells, he tastes and notes his findings. Oude Geuze, Pale ale, IPA, all beer styles are covered. “They made it difficult for me”, Bas laughs. Of the six beers he knows a few for sure, but a few not at all.
“I’m not going to win the World Cup with this,” says Bas. He has to be there on Sunday, in Munich, where he will compete against 120 participants. “Last time I was 17th. Now I hope for a place in the top ten. And if I win it will be all beautiful. Then I can travel around the world for two years to taste beer.”
