First Edition 2026 • Barcelona, Spain
European Ferment Masters
International awards for excellence in fermented drinks. Precision, technique and fermentative expression.
Participating Categories
Fechas Clave
En el marco de Innbrew, The Brewers Convention y el Barcelona Beer Festival 2026
What Is European Ferment Masters?
International Recognition for Fermentation Excellence
European Ferment Masters is an international competition created to recognize excellence in fermented beverages, with a strong focus on fermentation processes, technical execution, and sensory quality. Rather than ranking products solely by style or category, EFM highlights the craft, knowledge, and mastery behind fermentation, across both traditional and innovative beverage sectors.
A New Era for Fermented Beverages in Europe
European Ferment Masters emerges from a strategic alliance between Beer Events, an undisputed reference in organizing beer events in Spain, and Patagonian Yeast, pioneers in professionalizing fermented beverage competitions in Latin America. This union integrates decades of technical, sensory, and organizational experience to create a competition that transcends categories and borders, positioning Europe as a pole of excellence for fermented beverage evaluation.
Barcelona Beer Festival: Our World-Class Stage
The BBF is currently the most important craft beer festival in Spain and one of Europe's sector references. Since 2012, every last weekend of March or first of April, it brings together producers, professionals, consumers, and academics in a space of technical, cultural, and sensory exchange. Through European Ferment Masters, this ecosystem expands its view beyond beer, integrating the fermentative symbiosis between kombucha, ciders, and meads under a technical, professional, and excellence vision.
How Judging Works
European Ferment Masters evaluates fermented beverages through a rigorous, independent, and industry-specific judging process, focused on fermentation mastery rather than market driven style trends. All entries are assessed by an international panel of experienced judges, selected for their technical background, sensory expertise, and deep industry knowledge.
Judging Process
Blind tastings under controlled conditions
Sensory analysis sheets created by Patagonian Yeast and Senso Science, specific to each industry
Clear technical and qualitative criteria adapted to each fermentation sector
The process prioritizes balance, fermentation quality, stability, expression, and technical execution, ensuring fair, consistent, and meaningful results across all participating industries.
Ready to compete?
Join a competition designed to recognize true fermentation mastery and elevate your work at an international level.
Register NowWho Is It For?
The competition is designed for producers seeking technical evaluation, professional feedback, and international recognition.
European Ferment Masters is open to professional producers, independent brands and companies, and experimental, emerging, and innovative projects from around the world.
Professional Producers
Established producers seeking international recognition for their products and validation of their fermentation processes through rigorous technical evaluation.
Independent Brands & Companies
Craft and independent brands looking to stand out in the European market with quality certification and professional feedback on their products.
Experimental & Emerging Projects
New projects, startups, and innovative initiatives that want to validate their innovations and gain visibility in the fermented beverage industry at an international level.
Participating Industries
In its first edition, European Ferment Masters brings together the cider, mead, and kombucha industries under a shared philosophy: the mastery of fermentation. Each beverage represents a distinct fermentation culture, yet all are evaluated through the same core principles of technical excellence, balance, and process control.
Cider
Traditional and modern ciders from around the world, evaluated on their fermentation quality, expression, and technical execution.
Mead
From classic meads to innovative creations, recognizing the art and science of honey-based fermentation.
Kombucha
The growing kombucha industry, evaluated by specialized criteria developed specifically for this unique fermented beverage.
European Ferment Masters evaluates and awards the finest fermented beverages within each industry, recognizing producers who demonstrate true fermentation mastery.
What Makes EFM Different?
European Ferment Masters (EFM) is an international competition created to redefine how fermented beverages are evaluated, placing technical mastery, process control, and real quality above fads, styles, or commercial popularity.
EFM is not a style competition.
It is a professional fermentative validation system and a meeting platform for the global fermented beverage industry.
Our Three Pillars
Transversal Approach
A common standard for multiple fermentative industries
European Ferment Masters evaluates ciders, kombuchas, meads, and other fermentations under a unified technical framework, designed to allow coherent evaluation across industries without losing the identity, processes, or unique challenges of each one.
EFM has also been conceived as an annual professional networking platform, where producers, judges, scientists, brands, and key players in fermentation meet, share knowledge, and build strategic relationships in a high-level international environment.
This allows producers from different sectors to compete under the same seal of excellence, validated by consistent scientific and sensory criteria, respecting each industry as an independent discipline, with evaluation methodologies adapted to its nature.
Technical Focus
Fermentation mastery over market trends
EFM prioritizes real fermentative excellence: microbiological quality, stability, sensory balance, aromatic cleanliness, and process control.
Each beverage is evaluated not only for how it tastes, but for how well it was fermented, considering its technical coherence, execution, and stability over time.
This makes European Ferment Masters an international technical benchmarking tool, allowing producers to compare their level against globally recognized professional standards.
Premium Positioning
A European seal of excellence with global projection
Earning a medal at European Ferment Masters means having passed a technical, demanding, and traceable evaluation process, backed by international judges and advanced analysis systems.
The official awards ceremony takes place alongside the Barcelona Beer Festival, one of the most relevant stages in European fermentative culture, providing visibility, prestige, and international positioning to recognized producers.
EFM is born with a clear vision: to unite the global fermentative industry under a common quality standard, creating a meeting point where different cultures, disciplines, and fermentative traditions are recognized, dialogue, and grow together.
Specialized Evaluation Tools
Science, data, and professional sensory analysis
Evaluations are conducted using sensory guides, technical sheets, and protocols developed by Patagonian Yeast and Senso Science, international leaders in R&D, fermentative microbiology, and applied sensory analysis.
These tools allow:
Evaluate fermentation quality and stability
Measure balance, cleanliness, and sensory expression
Detect technical deviations
Ensure consistent criteria across judges, categories, and industries
The result is an objective, comparable, and highly valuable technical evaluation for each producer.
A System Designed to Scale
European Ferment Masters has been conceived as an international seal of fermentative excellence, designed to grow globally without losing technical rigor, methodological coherence, or professional credibility.
It's not just a competition.
It is a platform for validation, connection, and prestige for the fermentative industry of the future.
Rules & Style Guides
Carefully review the official rules and style guides for your category
📋 Official Rules
Download the official competition rules with all terms, conditions, and participation requirements.
📚 Style Guides
⚠️ Incorrect Registration = Low Score
Samples are evaluated according to the style you DECLARE in the registration, not according to what they actually are. Judges compare your product against the specific characteristics of the registered style.
REVIEW THE GUIDES CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.
🍎 Cider Style Guides
To participate in the Cider category, use the official BJCP 2025 guidelines. If your cider is functional or non-alcoholic, consult the C5 Appendix developed by Patagonian Yeast.
Available files:
-
📗 BJCP 2025 Cider Guidelines - English
Cider style guidelines from the Beer Judge Certification Program -
🏆 Appendix C5 - Functional & Non-Alcoholic Ciders (Spanish)
Special category -
🏆 Appendix C5 - Functional & Non-Alcoholic Ciders (English)
Special category
🍯 Mead Style Guides
To participate in the Mead category, use the official BJCP 2015 guidelines. If your mead is functional or non-alcoholic, consult the M5 Appendix developed by Patagonian Yeast.
Available files:
-
📘 BJCP 2015 Mead Guide - Spanish
Mead style guide in Spanish -
📗 BJCP 2015 Mead Guidelines - English
Mead style guidelines in English -
🏆 Appendix M5 - Functional & Non-Alcoholic Meads (Spanish)
Special category -
🏆 Appendix M5 - Functional & Non-Alcoholic Meads (English)
Special category
🍵 Kombucha Style Guides
To participate in the Kombucha category, use the official guides developed by Patagonian Yeast available in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
Available files:
-
📘 Kombucha Style Guide - Spanish
Complete guide developed by Patagonian Yeast -
📗 Kombucha Style Guide - English
Complete guide developed by Patagonian Yeast -
📙 Guia de Estilos de Kombuchas - Português
Guia completo desenvolvido pela Patagonian Yeast
Sending Samples
Instructions for shipping your samples to the competition
Below, you will find the instructions with all the necessary information for the correct shipment of your samples registered in European Ferment Masters. Please read carefully to ensure that each step of the process is carried out properly, thus guaranteeing smooth participation without setbacks. Thank you for being part of this experience that promotes quality and professionalization in fermented beverages!
Instructivo para Envío de Muestras (pdf)
DESCARGAREnvío de muestras
Si sus muestras son entregadas por un embajador, le recomendamos que se ponga en contacto directamente con él o ella. Si va a realizar el envío por su cuenta, utilice la dirección oficial de recepción en Barcelona.
► Recuerde utilizar la etiqueta que recibió por correo electrónico con su código de inscripción y pegarla en cada muestra.
Es fundamental rellenar correctamente cada etiqueta con la información específica del producto, incluyendo el código correspondiente.
Por cada bebida inscrita, se deben enviar las cantidades mínimas definidas en las bases oficiales, que se utilizarán en diferentes fases del proceso de evaluación.
Instructions for Sending Samples (pdf)
DOWNLOADSending samples
If an ambassador is delivering your samples, we recommend contacting them directly. If you are sending the samples yourself, please use the official receiving address in Barcelona.
► Remember to use the label you received by email with your registration code and attach it to each sample.
It is essential that you fill out each label correctly, including the specific product information and the corresponding code.
For each beverage entered, the minimum quantities defined in the official guidelines must be sent, which will be used in different phases of the evaluation process.
Instruções para envio de amostras (pdf)
BAIXAREnvio das amostras
Se suas amostras forem entregues por um embaixador, recomendamos entrar em contato diretamente com ele(a). Caso vá realizar o envio por conta própria, utilize o endereço oficial de recepção em Barcelona.
► Lembre-se de utilizar a etiqueta que recebeu por e-mail com seu código de inscrição e colá-la em cada amostra.
É fundamental preencher corretamente cada etiqueta com as informações específicas do produto, incluindo o código correspondente.
Para cada bebida inscrita, devem ser enviadas as quantidades mínimas definidas nas diretrizes oficiais, que serão utilizadas em diferentes fases do processo de avaliação.
Shipping & Logistics
Samples must be shipped directly to the official European Ferment Masters receiving address in Barcelona, or delivered through our official country ambassadors.
Participants are responsible for coordinating shipping and complying with local and international logistics regulations.
📍 Official Reception Centers
Contact the ambassador directly:
Spain
BEER EVENTS, S.L
Isaac Seguí
Espai Municipal Can Malé, naus 3-4. 08186 Lliçà d'Amunt, Barcelona
9am - 2pm
657 57 05 49
Who We Are
Experts dedicated to recognizing excellence in fermented beverages
European Ferment Masters is an international organization created by Patagonian Yeast and Beer Events, bringing together scientists, judges, producers, and leaders of the fermentative industry with a common goal: to define, measure, and reward true excellence in fermentation.
Applied Science
Microbiology
Sensory Analysis
Industrial Production
Fermentative Culture
Junto con la organización de algunos de los eventos más relevantes del sector en Europa y América.
European Ferment Masters nace como un sello europeo de referencia para todas las industrias que trabajan con fermentación.
Victoria Lobos Marambio
Co-fundadora y Directora Técnica
@yeast.mommy
🎓 Trayectoria Académica
Ingeniera Agrónoma titulada de la Universidad Católica de Temuco (2014). Diploma en Ciencias, Tecnología e Innovación en la Industria Agroalimentaria (UFRO, 2017). International Diploma in Craft Distilling (PUCV, 2019). Especializaciones en microbiología de fermentaciones, cervecería y control de calidad en prestigiosas instituciones internacionales.
💡 Innovación Empresarial
Fundadora de Patagonian Yeast (2015), la primera empresa de innovación fermentativa de Chile, y Bio Dream (2018), empresa dedicada a la gestión comercial de microorganismos. Su trabajo se enfoca en el desarrollo de levaduras nativas diferenciadas para la industria de bebidas fermentadas, con alcance internacional en Europa y Estados Unidos.
🏆 Reconocimientos
Destacada entre los 100 Jóvenes Líderes 2016 por Revista Sábado, El Mercurio • First Place Leaders in Innovation - RAEng, London (2015) • Beca Newton-Picarte para el Programa Líderes en Innovación, Reino Unido (2015) • Juez internacional de cervezas certificada (BJCP) • Beca Mérito Académico Santander (2012)
🌎 Impacto en la Industria
Victoria ha revolucionado el panorama de las bebidas fermentadas desarrollando levaduras únicas extraídas de la biodiversidad chilena, incluyendo especies del Desierto de Atacama y los Andes. Su trabajo ha permitido que productores tengan acceso a microorganismos exclusivos que no existen en otros lugares del mundo, promoviendo la innovación y profesionalización del sector.
Mikel Rius
Co-fundador y Director Estratégico
🎓 Trayectoria Académica
Ingeniero industrial superior por la ETSEIB – Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Industrial de Barcelona (UPC). Formación técnica orientada a gestión de proyectos, organización industrial y análisis de procesos, aplicada posteriormente al diseño, gestión y optimización de proyectos culturales, eventos de gran formato y estructuras empresariales del sector cervecero.
💡 Innovación Empresarial
Co-fundador y director de Beer Events, empresa especializada en el diseño, producción y conceptualización de grandes eventos cerveceros y gastronómicos, como el Barcelona Beer Festival o InnBrew. Impulsor de formatos innovadores que combinan cultura, comunidad, profesionalización del sector y experiencia de público. Copropietario de La Pirata Brewing.
🏆 Reconocimientos
Referente en el ámbito de la cerveza artesanal en Europa. Juez internacional de cerveza en competiciones profesionales. Invitado habitual como ponente, moderador y asesor en festivales, concursos y proyectos estratégicos del sector. Trayectoria reconocida por su aportación a la profesionalización, divulgación y visibilidad de la cultura cervecera.
🌎 Impacto en la Industria
Ha contribuido de manera decisiva a consolidar la cerveza artesanal como fenómeno cultural y económico, creando espacios de encuentro entre productores, público y profesionales. Su trabajo ha fortalecido redes internacionales, fomentado la diversidad, la calidad y el pensamiento crítico dentro del sector, y ha situado proyectos locales en un contexto global con identidad propia.
Our Mission
Elevate the global standard of fermented beverages
Nuestra misión es establecer marcos técnicos, sensoriales y científicos específicos para cada industria, que permitan evaluar, comparar y reconocer bebidas fermentadas de manera justa, rigurosa y transparente, respetando la identidad, los procesos y los desafíos propios de cada categoría.
A través de sistemas de evaluación desarrollados por Patagonian Yeast y Senso Science, y de un panel internacional de jueces expertos, buscamos:
Impulsar la mejora continua de los productores
Fortalecer la calidad, estabilidad y control de las fermentaciones
Profesionalizar cada industria desde una mirada técnica
Otorgar reconocimiento real a quienes dominan su proceso
Potenciar el networking entre productores, jueces, científicos y marcas
Transferir cultura fermentativa al consumidor, ayudando a visibilizar, comprender y valorar las mejores fermentaciones del mundo
Our Vision
Create the main global meeting point for fermentative excellence
Nuestra visión es consolidar a European Ferment Masters como el sistema internacional de validación y prestigio más respetado para bebidas fermentadas, y al mismo tiempo como el evento anual donde la industria fermentativa global se reúne.
No buscamos homogeneizar ni mezclar disciplinas, sino reunirlas en un escenario común, donde cada industria conserva su identidad técnica mientras participa de una comunidad profesional más amplia y visible para el público.
European Ferment Masters será el espacio donde productores, científicos, jueces y marcas:
Creemos que el futuro de las bebidas fermentadas depende de:
European Ferment Masters será el lugar donde la industria se reconoce, se conecta y transmite su valor al consumidor.
Jury Philosophy
The European Ferment Masters jury is a highly selective panel of professionals, carefully chosen for their proven experience and deep technical knowledge within their respective fermentation industries. Each industry is evaluated by its own specialized jury, ensuring that every beverage is assessed by professionals who truly understand its raw materials, fermentation processes, production challenges, and quality benchmarks.
Our Approach
For each industry, European Ferment Masters applies dedicated international categorization guidelines, industry-specific technical criteria, and customized sensory analysis sheets, with awards granted separately for each sector. This structure guarantees fair, precise, and meaningful recognition, celebrating excellence within every fermentation discipline.
Proven Experience
Carefully selected judges with proven expertise in fermentation science and sensory evaluation within their specific industry.
Specialized Juries
Dedicated panels for each category ensuring deep knowledge of raw materials, processes, and quality benchmarks.
Fair Recognition
Transparent evaluation process with detailed feedback, celebrating excellence within every fermentation discipline.
How Evaluation Works
European Ferment Masters evalúa las bebidas fermentadas a través de un proceso riguroso, independiente y diseñado específicamente para cada industria fermentativa, enfocado en la maestría de la fermentación por sobre las tendencias comerciales o modas de estilo.
Cata a Ciegas
Cada muestra es analizada mediante catas a ciegas realizadas bajo condiciones controladas, utilizando guías sensoriales, fichas técnicas y protocolos de evaluación desarrollados por Patagonian Yeast y Senso Science, referentes internacionales en innovación, I+D y análisis sensorial aplicado a fermentaciones.
Análisis Técnico
Estas herramientas permiten evaluar de forma objetiva y comparable aspectos clave como la calidad y estabilidad de la fermentación, el balance sensorial, la limpieza aromática, el control microbiológico y la coherencia técnica del proceso productivo.
Panel de Expertos
Todas las inscripciones son evaluadas por un panel internacional de jueces expertos, seleccionados por su formación científica, experiencia sensorial y trayectoria en la industria, asegurando resultados consistentes, trazables y técnicamente fundamentados.
¿Qué Significa Obtener un Reconocimiento?
Obtener un reconocimiento en European Ferment Masters significa haber demostrado excelencia fermentativa real, validada por estándares técnicos internacionales y por uno de los sistemas de evaluación más avanzados del sector.
No se trata de popularidad ni de tendencias: este certamen premia la calidad, el dominio del proceso y la capacidad de llevar una fermentación al más alto nivel profesional.
Partners
European Ferment Masters is backed by organizations with proven international experience in their respective fields, contributing technical knowledge, global vision, and professional track record in science, sensory evaluation, production, and fermentative culture. Their participation guarantees a framework of credibility, rigor, and excellence aligned with the highest industry standards.
Patagonian Yeast
Technical Direction
Beer Events
Event Organization
InnBrew
Partner
Barcelona Beer Challenge
Official Venue
Barcelona Beer Festival
Awards Ceremony
Senso Science
Sensory Analysis
Register Now
Sample Requirements
Each entry must meet the minimum sample quantity defined in the official guidelines
Samples must be production-representative and properly labeled
Only beverages produced by the entrant may be submitted
Detailed specifications will be provided in the official competition guidelines (by beverage).
Shipping & Logistics
Samples must be shipped directly to the official European Ferment Masters receiving address in Barcelona, or delivered through our official country ambassadors.
Participants are responsible for coordinating shipping and complying with local and international logistics regulations.
📍 Official Reception Centers
Contact the ambassador directly:
Spain
BEER EVENTS, S.L
Isaac Seguí
Espai Municipal Can Malé, naus 3-4. 08186 Lliçà d'Amunt, Barcelona
9am - 2pm
657 57 05 49
Fees & Deadlines
Registration Period: January 10 - February 20, 2026
| Number of Entries | Total Price | Unit Price per Entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 € | 100 € |
| 2 | 180 € | 90 € |
| 3 | 240 € | 80 € |
| 4 | 280 € | 70 € |
| 5 | 300 € | 60 € |
| 6 | 330 € | 55 € |
| 7+ | 350 €+ | 50 € |
Valores en Euros (€)
🎁 Beneficio por Volumen
¡Ahorro significativo desde la 6ta inscripción!
Al inscribir 5 muestras pagas 300 €, y al inscribir 6 pagas 330 € (6 × 55 €).
A partir de la 7ma, cada inscripción adicional cuesta solo 50 €!
Registration Forms
To register your beverages, follow these steps:
- Select the category that corresponds to your beverage (Cider, Mead or Kombucha)
- Complete the registration form with all required information
- Submit the form and you will receive a confirmation email
- Repeat the process for each beverage you wish to register
Important: You must complete one form per beverage. The confirmation email includes the labels you must print and attach to your samples.
Pasos Siguientes
1. Realizar el Pago
Una vez que hayas inscrito tus muestras, debes completar el pago para confirmar tu participación. Ingresa al sistema de pagos, coloca el correo con el que te registraste y sigue las instrucciones.
Importante: Las muestras que no sean pagadas NO serán evaluadas bajo ninguna circunstancia. Solo las inscripciones pagadas participarán en la competencia.
Ir a Pagos2. Editar tus Inscripciones
¿Cometiste un error o necesitas modificar algún detalle de tu inscripción? Puedes editar información como el nombre de la bebida, estilo u otros detalles antes de que termine el periodo de inscripciones.
Utiliza el mismo correo electrónico con el que realizaste la inscripción para acceder y modificar tus registros.
Editar InscripcionesKey Dates
En el marco de Innbrew, The Brewers Convention y el Barcelona Beer Festival 2026
Terms, Conditions & Privacy
All entries must comply with the official competition rules
Judges' decisions are final and non-appealable
Personal and commercial data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations
By entering, participants agree to the use of results for official competition communications
Full terms and privacy policy will be available in the official guidelines.
Ready to compete?
Join a competition designed to recognize true fermentation mastery and elevate your work at an international level.