2026 Canada Beer Cup Judges

2026 CANADA BEER CUP HEAD JUDGES

Kathy Yan Li

Kingston, ON

BEER & CIDER HEAD JUDGE

Kathy Yan Li is a BJCP National rank beer judge with cider and mead endorsements and is currently an Associate Exam Director with the BJCP. She has judged over 50 homebrew and commercial competitions in six provinces and seven states for beer, cider, mead and wine, and dabbled in competition organizing with the cider-only homebrew competition Canuck Cider Cup from 2022-2024.

Dave Cole

Winnipeg, MB

BEER & CIDER HEAD JUDGE

Dave Cole has been a BJCP beer judge since 2016 and currently serves as the BJCP North Region Assistant Rep. Dave brings judging experience from over thirty international and Canadian competitions, in addition to his Head Judge and organizational experience with Prairie Beer Awards.

Dave looks forward to returning as Head Judge for a second year and bringing his expertise to Canada’s national not-for-profit beer competition.

Amber Olson

Winnipeg, MB

PACKAGING AWARDS HEAD JUDGE

Always judging a book by its cover, or a beer for its label – Amber Olson brings over 20 years of design, brand, and marketing experience with her to the Canada Beer Cup Packaging Awards judging panel

Currently running the show at Oh hi Amber!, her own boutique marketing & creative agency – Amber has spent her career working with both large national brands, and independently-owned local businesses. As a self-described retail and brand nerd, she’s all about the extra details and special touches that help a brand and design really come to life.

As her work often takes her around Canada, she can always be found doing valuable category research at local craft breweries wherever she goes – forever on the hunt for a great beer that’s paired with a beautiful label to match.

Susan Ruud

BJCP Grand Master IV

Brad Darnell

Grand Master III

Fred Mullner

BJCP Grand Master III, Mead Judge

Jason Foster

BJCP Master

Scott Joines

BJCP Grand Master

Lisa Matzeu

Biersommelier Doemens and International Beer Judge

Aimee Garlit

BJCP National

Normand Cyr

BJCP Certified

Christoffer Tuominen

Brewer & BJCP Certified

Aaron Krywicki

BJCP National

Alaina Parchmann

Certified Cicerone & BJCP Recognized

Noelle Phillips

Certified Cicerone, BJCP Certified Judge

Ruvani de Silva

Certified Cicerone (95% pass rate), WSET Level 2 (94% pass rate)

Jesse Vallins

Certified Beer Judge, Certified Mead Judge, Advanced Cicerone, Certified Sommelier

Hirendu Vaishnav

BJCP National Beer/Mead/Cider, BJCP IT Director

Jonas Hurtig

BJCP Certified

Abhijeet Pathak

Certified Cicerone®, Certified Cider Guide

John Tyler

Dane Glyn-Williams

BJCP Certified

Graham With

BJCP National

Scott Butchart

BJCP National

Darryl Ma

BJCP National

Rob Manglesdorf

BJCP Certified

Rachel Bolongaro, Cider Judge

Pommelier

Jenna Boucher, Cider Judge

Pommelier

Barry Rooke, Cider Judge

BJCP Cider Judge

Bethany Rooke, Cider Judge

BJCP Cider Judge, Prud’homme Level 2 Beer Specalist, ACA Certified Cider Guide

PACKAGING AWARDS JUDGES

Kenneth Ho

Hong Kong, China

Kenneth Ho has a dual professional focus. As the Asia Digital Marketing Lead for a global FMCG brand, he drives brand growth through strategic initiatives across the digital landscape.

Simultaneously, he is a respected Asia Beer Educator, international beer judge, and member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. Kenneth actively participates in major global beer competitions and shares his knowledge and insights through his writing. This unique combination enables him to blend strategic leadership with a genuine passion for craft beer.

Ryan Gulliver

Halifax, NS

Known as @CraftBeerGully on Instagram, Ryan brings a passionate eye for design and storytelling to the Canada Beer Cup’s packaging panel.

With over eight years of experience in marketing and a Bachelor of Creative Advertising from Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, Ryan has built a career around creativity, collaboration, and community.

Now proudly based in Nova Scotia, Ryan is a true believer in the power of craft beer to connect people, he’s excited to give back to the industry he loves.

Ryan Anderson

Ottawa, ON

Ryan Anderson transforms companies into market leaders with proven strategy. Over two decades, he has architected digital campaigns and brand strategies for industry giants including Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Mazda, 20th Century Fox, and HBO. He has also helped to build emerging brands like Dominion City Brewing Co. and City Seltzer from the ground up.

As co-founder of Northern Army, an Ottawa-based creative studio, Ryan partners with creative director Rene Antunes to develop direct-to-consumer products that connect with audiences. His client work ranges from entertainment companies like Chernin Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival to publishers like Penguin Books, and has developed innovative solutions across entertainment, consumer goods, and media.

Ryan’s expertise extends beyond campaign execution to organizational transformation. He has designed and facilitated global strategy sessions, including workshops with hundreds of participants, drawing on his background in public relations, organizational design, and leadership to drive meaningful change at scale. His insights on brand strategy have been featured in presentations across North America and Asia, positioning him as a recognized voice in the field.

Ryan previously taught digital strategy and marketing at the University of Ottawa Telfer School of Business, with a curriculum focused on practical skills and strategic frameworks for entrepreneurs.

Colton Hill

Toronto, ON

Colton Hill is a Toronto-based marketing executive and fractional CMO with over a decade of experience leading brand strategy, creative campaigns, and full-funnel growth with recognizable names like Uber Eats and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Off the clock, Colton is a self-described marketing nerd with a huge soft spot for the craft beer world – observing how packaging performs in the wild. He brings both a strategic commercial lens and deep passion for the craft to his role as a Canada Beer Cup Packaging Judge.

Dave Murray

Toronto, ON

Dave Murray is a Toronto-based award-winning illustrator and artist. From the printed page to the largest stadiums, Dave’s work feels iconic, modern, yet also timeless. You’ve likely seen his work in the 2024 and 2025 MLB Postseason and World Series, the 2024 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup as the official poster artist for Toronto. Away from the big leagues, you can find Dave’s work in fridges and shelves as the long-serving label artist for the Indie Alehouse.

Heather Cranston

Thunder Bay, ON

Heather describes herself as an artist first and a designer second.

It was during her time painting murals in Winnipeg, that she developed a healthy interest in typography and the fundamentals of design – which ultimately led her to pursue her talents in that special place where art and commerce intersect – graphic design.

After completing design school in Manitoba, she worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in western Canada – before returning home to Thunder Bay in 2008 to work at a local design studio. With a tireless creative mind, an aptitude for design, and a powerful sense of curiosity, Heather has employed her talents on a wide variety of projects for some of the City’s biggest businesses and organizations, and smallest start-ups.

A big believer in community – Heather has instructed Printmaking and Graphic Design at Lakehead University, and is one of three organizers of Craft Revival, a downtown takeover artisan event hosting 200+ vendors twice a year. Win her over with anything printed pre-1960.

Jill Dewes

Calgary, AB

Jill has worked in advertising and design, in New Zealand and Canada, for over 25 years, on everything from brand identity to ad campaigns to website development to packaging (one of her favourite things). Since moving to Calgary in 2010, Jill has been on the client service and business development side of agency life. She was a proud partner at Daughter Creative for almost 9 years, working on lots of beer (The Establishment, Annex, Big Rock, Tree Brewing, and Cabin Brewing) and winning some awards (Crushies, Ad Rodeo Anvils, Applied Arts). Exiting Daughter in 2025, Jill now has her own solo brand consultancy (Nice One) and still manages all design work for Cabin working with talented freelancers. She definitely judges books by their covers.

Jaime Cushnie

Winnipeg, MB

Jaime is an accomplished creative from Winnipeg, Manitoba with over 15 years’ experience working with agency clients in the agriculture, fintech and health-care industries. Previous to that, she worked as an in-house graphic designer.

Today, as Director of Creative Services at Show and Tell Agency, she loves collaborating with the creative team to plan and execute campaigns to elevate their clients’ brands.

Jaime graduated from RRC Polytech’s Graphic Design program, and received her BFA from the University of Manitoba, with a major in photography.

Outside of work you can find Jaime chilling at the lake with family, planning her next travel adventure, or getting tattooed

Ivan Eytzen

Prince George, BC

I have been in and around the Craft Beer scene for around 14 years now starting as a home brewer and photographer. I specialize in working with startups to help brand and launch their visions. I have worked with several lower mainland breweries doing branding, label design, and marketing. I moved up to Prince George BC around 4 years ago and have worked with the various Craft Breweries here doing marketing, tourism events and FOH management.

Recently I have moved into the world of Cider and Mead becoming part owner of Slaughterhouse Craft. My focus now has been making cider and mead, marketing the business, launching and running a food truck, and doing label design. I am very passionate about the industry and the amazing people who make it so special!

Lisa Kachalkina

Niagara Falls, ON

Lisa Kachalkina is a designer with a sharp eye for visual storytelling, detail, and craft. As a packaging judge for the Canadian Beer Cup, she brings a design perspective to the table, looking at how creativity, brand expression, and execution come together on the shelf. Lisa values packaging that feels intentional, memorable, and true to the beer inside! Cheers to the 2026 Canada Beer Cup!

Marc Bru

Pembroke, ON

Marc Bru is the former owner and operator of the Square Timber Brewing Company in Pembroke, Ontario. With hands-on experience managing all aspects of the brewery’s daily operations, he was responsible for designing graphics, merchandise, and packaging that resonated with customers and elevated the brand’s identity. His deep understanding of both functionality and aesthetic appeal in product presentation makes him exceptionally well-suited to serve as a judge for the Packaging Awards at the 2025 Canada Beer Cup.

Marc Husted

Calgary, AB

Marc is a co-founder of Public Eye, a Calgary-based identity and packaging studio focused on narrative driven design. Specializing in food & beverage branding and packaging since 2010, Marc has developing award-winning brands for some of Alberta’s most beloved companies. He is passionate about designs with personality, and loves to explore the depths of a brand’s application; working closely with vendors to explore considered touches that get folks talking.

Taylor Richardson

Prince George, BC

Taylor Richardson is a digital marketer and graphic designer based in British Columbia, and the co-owner, brand creator, and marketing lead behind Cold Front Cider, a craft cidery in Prince George. With a decade of experience crafting brands and campaigns, Taylor brings a designer’s eye and a passion to everything from label concepts to social storytelling. When he’s not obsessing over kerning or can designs, you’ll find him on the hunt for a great craft beer, or cider. That, or deep in a video game he probably should have finished weeks ago.

2026 BEER, CIDER & PACKAGING JUDGE APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

All judge applications have now closed. Accepted judges have been notified. Any judges that apply after the deadline will automatically be placed on the waitlist.