BBW’s ambassadors are here to help you and help you network. Send them a message about the events you are holding. They would love to hear from you. If you would like to be a BBW ambassador for a particular region/country then send us a short bio of how you can help celebrate Belgian beer culture together.
See below for bios of BBW’s ambassadors in:
- International
- Italy
- Brazil and South/Central Americas
- Poland
- the United Kingdom
- the Netherlands
Kris De Meester (International)
Kris De Meester – International Ambassador for our Belgium Beer Week.
We are delighted to introduce this legendary figure as the official Travel World ambassador for Belgium Beer Week. Kris is no ordinary globetrotter and successful entrepreneur – he’s our walking mix of punk rock energy, craft beer wisdom and international diplomacy (with a dash of heavy metal). As a hard working representative of the Verbond van Belgische Ondernemingen , Kris De Meester has had the honor of traveling the world for decades, spreading the gospel of Belgian entrepreneurship and labor safety while rocking out to some serious headbanging tunes. Outside his business life, his true passion lies in two outstanding things – craft beer and organizing his own punk rock festival. Kris embodies everything that makes Belgian beer culture so special: innovation, craftsmanship and a healthy dose of rebellious spirit.
Roberto Toldo (Italy)
Roberto is a beer judge for major competitions worldwide and works as a beer sommelier for some pubs and restaurants.
Since 2018 he has run his own beer shop and pub Let It Be di Toldo Roberto in Pordenone, where he is also a beer importer.
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/roberto.toldo.1
Douglas Merlo (Brazil and South/Central Americas)
Doug is an international beer judge and the founder of the World Beer Expedition. Previously he lived in Europe for eight years, where he became a Mixologist and Beer Sommelier and worked in the field. He was a professor at several beer education institutions, including the School of Beer and Malt, Science of Beer, Brau Akademie, Brazilian Beer Institute, SENAI, and SENAC. In 2018, he became the third Brazilian to receive one of the highest beer honours in the world – he was appointed a “Cavaleiro da Cerveja Belga” (Knight of Belgian Beer) by the Belgian Brewers Association.
https://www.facebook.com/dougmerlo Linkedin @dougmerlo
Paweł Leszczyński (Poland)
Paweł is co-founder of the Warsaw Beer Festival, Poland’s largest showcase of beer, held twice a year, and is a powerhouse promoter of craft beer in general. Paweł also founded the Polish craft association Wolny Kraft He says ‘There is a common language in this world we call craft beer. And that is based on a love of creating a quality product that people can enjoy. It’s why we do what we do, and why we continue to do so.’ We can readily high five this sentiment.
https://www.facebook.com/nonfelix
Paul Davies (the United Kingdom)
Paul is the founder of AleHunters Brewery Tours. He hosts tours of London’s craft breweries and iconic pubs plus taking thirsty enthusiasts to Belgium’s best breweries and beer festivals. An Accredited Beer Sommelier and Certified Ciceron Paul presents tutored beer tastings and sensory training sessions. He is also an international beer judge. When he has time he writes articles about beer for the Brewers Journal and can sometimes be found representing breweries at trade events. He likes to hang out in Brugge when he has time off from his schedule.
LinkedIn: Paul Davies
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AleHuntersBreweryTours/
www.alehunters.co.uk
Ferry Wijnhoven (the Netherlands)
Ferry is founder of the Beer Geeks Facebook group in the Netherlands. He started his adventures in beer when around 2009/2010, the legendary show ‘Tournée Générale’ aired on television, with presenter Ray Cokes (whom we remember from his time at MTV): two guys in an old van traveling through the Belgian countryside in search of the best beers. He was hooked and soon after decided to start a Facebook group with some friends to share our beer discoveries. That’s how it snowballed from 20 members in the Beer Geeks Facebook group (October 2013) to more than 17,000 today. He is an international beer sommelier, judge for the Brussels Beer Challenge, and organises an annual charity event to brew a beer with as many breweries as possible. He runs his own business hosting beer tastings, among other things.
Facebook: Beer Geeks