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They are leaders, innovators, and visionaries who have left an indelible mark on the Chilean and Latin American beer industry, influencing not only those who brew it but also how it is perceived and enjoyed.
In this article, we will explore 10 names that stand out for their knowledge, leadership, innovation, and contributions to the beer community, widely regarded as some of the most influential figures in the world of beer and among its consumers in Chile.
Contenido
Evaluation Criteria
To select our list of individuals, we considered the following five criteria, and we have listed their names in alphabetical order:
- Contribution to Beer Education: The experience and knowledge they have contributed to the beer world.
- Leadership in the Beer Industry: Their ability to develop and lead initiatives.
- Influence in Media and Beer Culture Dissemination: Their impact on spreading beer culture among experts and enthusiasts, both within and outside Chile.
- Establishment of Quality Standards: Their role in setting standards for product consistency, flavor, and originality.
- Lasting Legacy in the Beer World: Their long-term impact on the industry and their contribution to the global beer heritage.
Armin Kunstmann
Armin Kunstmann and his family represent a milestone in the beer history of Chile and South America. In 1989, they established the first modern and successful craft brewery in the region, marking the beginning of a movement that has transformed the national beer landscape.
Their focus on quality, tradition, and innovation has positioned them as undisputed leaders of the craft movement in Chile.
The creation of Kunstmann and its “Lager” style, representing German brewing traditions, has been a permanent historical reference for the Chilean beer industry.
The Valdivian brewery has been recognized for four consecutive years as the most valued by Chileans, offering a wide range of beers. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the beer experience has made them a benchmark in the country, with a modern brewery in Argentina and exports reaching Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Paraguay, among others.
Asbjorn Gerlach
Co-founder of the renowned Kross Brewery, Asbjorn Gerlach is a German brewmaster who has left an indelible mark on the Chilean beer scene.
With a background in brewing engineering from Berlin, Asbjorn arrived in Chile in 1995 and, since 2003, has been the mentor behind Kross’s diverse beer portfolio, including Pilsner, Maibock, Golden Ale, Stout, and Kross 5, as well as the ongoing development of experimental beers.
His work as a brewmaster has been fundamental to Kross’s success and recognition. His dedication to quality and commitment to excellence have made Kross a renowned international brand, including Chile’s first gold medal at the World Beer Cup 2024.
Benjamin Wood
Ben Wood is an American brewer and importer who has made a significant impact on the Chilean beer scene since founding Beervana in 2013.
Before coming to Chile, he worked for renowned brands in the United States, such as Ballast Point, Two Brothers, and Union Beer Distributors, the largest craft beer distributor in New York.
With roots in a family tied to the beer industry for generations, Ben Wood brought his knowledge and experience to Chile to contribute to the growth and diversification of the beer market. He became a partner and director of El Honesto Mike bar and Alameda Beer Company.
Ben Wood has not only imported and represented some of the best craft beer brands in the world in Chile, but his experience and passion have enriched the local beer culture, introducing innovative styles and fostering the appreciation of high-quality craft beers.
Carlos Uhart
Founder and director of The Beer Times™, the most influential Spanish-language beer media outlet in the last decade, his work has inspired the emergence of hundreds of new beer media platforms worldwide, from podcasts to YouTube channels.
Carlos Uhart is the author of the book “Guía Práctica para Catar Cerveza”, a work that has become a reference for enthusiasts seeking to deepen their knowledge in the world of beer and pairing.
He was the first Chilean to earn a Cicerone certification and was one of the first BJCP-certified judges in the country. He later worked as the editor of the Spanish version of the BJCP 2015 Beer Guidelines, translator of cider and mead guidelines, and examiner for new Spanish-speaking candidates until 2018.
Since 2019, he has led the digital content agency Zythos Media and its independent publishing house, expanding his work into gastronomy, wine, entrepreneurship, and education on psychoactive substances. He manages a network of over 20 websites and has published seven books on various topics to date.
Cristian Olivares
Founder of Cuello Negro, Cristian has established one of the most outstanding craft breweries in the country, located in the Valdivian rainforest, the beer capital of Chile.
Starting as a homebrewer, Cristian has grown Cuello Negro to produce over 50,000 liters of beer per month, standing out for using pure natural water in his brews, giving his beers a unique and distinctive character.
The brewery has received numerous accolades for its beers, including Chile’s first silver medal at the World Beer Cup 2024. These successes have driven Cuello Negro to expand its product portfolio and look to the future with greater ambition.
The story of Cuello Negro and Cristian Olivares is an example of success in the Chilean craft beer industry, where innovation and quality combine to offer exceptional and sustainable products.
José Antonio Alcalde
Professor José Antonio Alcalde is a prominent figure in the Chilean beer industry, recognized for his contribution to the training of hundreds of brewers across the country.
In 2016, he received the “Weyermann Specialty Malts” Lifetime Achievement Award for his 30 years of dedication to the beer world, a testament to his impact on the industry.
Since 2001, he has taught the “Beer Brewing Workshop” at the Catholic University, which has become a natural breeding ground for professional beer enthusiasts throughout Chile.
His commitment to beer education has enabled many of his students to venture professionally into the beer industry, opening their own breweries or becoming brewmasters for renowned brands.
Mario Celedón
Mario Celedón is an agronomist whose career has had a significant impact on the hop-growing industry in Chile. He has been a key figure in the technological development and adaptation of hop cultivation in the country.
His work has demonstrated that hops can be successfully grown in Chile, and he actively participates in conferences and workshops, sharing insights on hops and their added value for beer.
His innovative approach and commitment to continuous improvement, along with his leadership in collaborative and academic projects, have had a multiplier effect on the local beer industry, opening new opportunities for national beer production with unique regional flavor profiles.
En resumen, Mario Celedón ha tenido un efecto multiplicador en la industria cervecera local y ha abierto nuevas oportunidades para la producción de cerveza nacional con perfiles organolépticos propios de la región.
Pascual Ibañez
Pascual Ibáñez is a renowned Spanish sommelier who arrived in Chile in 1995, leaving a profound mark on the country’s tasting culture.
In 2001, he expanded his expertise to the world of beer, advising companies on product tasting and becoming one of the most prestigious experts in the sensory evaluation of wine, beer, and food in Chile.
He founded the School of the Senses in 2005 and co-founded the Sommelier School of Chile, advising wine clubs, hotels, wineries, and companies, and representing Chilean products worldwide.
In the beer world, Pascual Ibáñez is widely recognized for editing the famous Chilean Beer Guide, with full-color annual publications from 2007 to 2018, ranking and describing the wide variety of beers available in the country.
Rafe Hutchings
One of the founding partners of Jester Beer, Rafe has a unique story that marked the beginning of this renowned craft brewery in Chile.
Over a decade ago, tired of industrial beers, Rafe and his future partners decided to start importing beer from England, Rafe’s home country.
However, everything changed when Rafe took a vacation focused on enjoying and learning about beer. Upon his return, he proposed starting their own brewery, giving rise to Jester and creating the recipe for their iconic Jester Manitoba.
Today, Jester is an example of how passion and commitment can turn a dream into a successful beer reality, setting a world-class standard for craft beer brewed in Chile.
Ricardo Solis
A Food Engineer from the Catholic University of Valparaíso, Ricardo traveled to the United States and then to England in 2002 to deepen his knowledge of the beer world by taking the “Practical British Brewing” course at the Brewlab Institute of the University of Sunderland.
Upon returning to Chile in 2005, he began brewing under different brands, such as “Alimapu” in Viña del Mar, which later became “Cerro Alegre Beer” in Valparaíso and finally “Cerveza de Autor” in Santiago.
In 2012, along with other local brewers, he began preparing for the BJCP exam, becoming part of the first generation of BJCP judges in Chile. Since then, as an educator, he has trained and prepared hundreds of BJCP judges across the Americas.
He co-founded the Copa Cervezas de América and served as Technical Director of the competition from 2011 to 2019. Since 2021, he has been the IBD Learning Partner for Ibero-America at the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in England.
