DOUGLAS MERLO
CO-FOUNDER
We plan and organize beer trips all over the world, from brewery contacts and tours to coach companies, hotels, restaurants, beer festivals, abbeys, museums, and other unique attractions. We have a deep understanding of the beer culture and tourism in each destination, and we know how to anticipate and overcome any obstacles that may arise. We also have a great track record of keeping our tours fun, interesting, and exciting for people of all experience levels. If you're looking for a beer trip that will take you beyond the tourist traps, we're the company for you.
brief overview of the beer experience
- Douglas Merlo lived in Europe for 8 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.
- He represents Brazil as a judge in various beer competitions around the world (Belgium, USA, Italy, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay).
- In 2017, he was one of the first Brazilians to become a certified judge of the “Beer Judge Certification Program” (BJCP), an American organization that accredits, trains, and certifies judges for beer competitions worldwide.
- In 2017, he founded the “Expedição Cervejeira” (Beer Expedition), a leading company specializing in beer travel around the world. Currently, it has organized more than 10 trips with over 200 participants.
- In 2018, he became the third Brazilian to receive one of the highest beer honors in the world – he was appointed a “Cavaleiro da Cerveja Belga” (Knight of Belgian Beer). This honorary title was bestowed upon him “honoris causa” in Mechelen, Belgium. It’s offered by the Belgian Brewers Association to individuals who promote and spread beer culture in their own country and around the world.
- In 2018, he was recognized as the best homebrewer in Brazil after receiving six medals in the FICC homebrewer competition in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
- In 2019, he became the first person from Santa Catarina to advance to the finals of the largest, most important, and competitive homebrewing competition in the world, the National Homebrew Competition. Douglas won 2 silver medals.
- In 2020, he became the first Brazilian to be accepted as a member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. Founded in 1988 in England, the guild aims to promote knowledge about beers, breweries, and pubs. Today, it’s considered one of the largest and most important sources of updated information about beer.
- In 2021, he became the first Brazilian to reach the finals of the British Guild of Beer Writers’ annual awards in the “Best Citizen Beer Communicator” category with the project “Nos bons e velhos tempos da cerveja belga” (In the Good Old Times of Belgian Beer), which he launched on his YouTube channel for the Beer Expedition. The committee analyzed more than 150 projects from around the world (books, publications, texts, videos, among others).
- Currently, Douglas is one of the most awarded homebrewers in Brazil, with 62 medals in national and international competitions.
- In 2019, he received a commendation from the Blumenau City Council for winning 2 medals in the largest and most important homebrewing competition in the world, the National Homebrew Competition.
- In 2022, he received the “Comenda da Cerveja Brasileira” (Brazilian Beer Commendation). This honor is bestowed annually by the “Semana da Cerveja Brasileira” (Brazilian Beer Week), where 5 individuals are recognized each year for their contributions to the beer movement over the years.
- In 2022, he received the “Henrich Hosang” beer medal from the Blumenau City Council for his services and the promotion of beer culture from Blumenau to the world.
- Since 2022, he has been the Ambassador of “Belgium Beer Week in Brazil and Latin America.” Belgium Beer Week is an annual global event organized by Visit Flanders with the aim of promoting a week of events celebrating Belgian beer culture worldwide.
- Since 2022, he has been the Technical Director of the Brazilian Beer Competition, the largest competition for independent breweries in the world.
who is douglas merlo
Douglas was awarded the title of ‘Knight of Belgian Beer‘ by the Belgian Brewers Association in 2018,
becoming the third Brazilian to receive this honor.
In 2018, Douglas was crowned The Best Homebrewer in Brazil after winning six medals
in the FICC Homebrewer Competition held in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
In 2020, Douglas became the first Brazilian to be inducted into the British Guild of Beer Writers, an organization founded in 1988 in England to promote the culture of beer, breweries, and pubs. Today, it is considered one of the largest and most important sources of up-to-date information about beer.
Douglas is currently one of the most awarded homebrewers in Brazil, with 62 medals in national and international competitions.
In 2019, Douglas was awarded a Motion from the City Council of Blumenau, the Brazilian Beer Capital, in recognition of his outstanding achievement in winning two medals at the National Homebrew Competition, the world’s largest and most important homebrew beer competition.
In 2022, Douglas was awarded the Brazilian Beer Commendation, a tribute given annually by the Brazilian Beer Week to five individuals who have made significant contributions to the Brazilian beer movement.
In 2022, Douglas was awarded the Henrique Hosang Beer Medal by the Municipal City Council of Blumenau in recognition of his services to the city and the promotion of its beer culture to the world.
Since 2022, Douglas has been the Ambassador for Belgium Beer Week in Brazil and Latin America.
Belgium Beer Week is an annual global event organized by Visit Flanders, a Belgian tourism organization, to promote a week of events that celebrate Belgian beer culture around the world.
Since 2022, Douglas has been the Technical Director of the Brazilian Beer Competition, the world’s largest and most important competition for independent breweries.
