Joe Evans is the Beer and Cider Category Manager and Key Account Manager at Libra Drinks, a leading independent drinks distributor serving bars, restaurants, hotels, pubs and clubs across the East Midlands.

In his role, Joe is responsible for developing Libra Drinks’ beer and cider portfolio, identifying products with strong commercial potential and ensuring the range meets the evolving needs of the UK on-trade. His experience combines category knowledge with direct customer insight, giving him a clear understanding of what makes a beer relevant, distinctive and commercially viable.

Joe brings a buyer’s perspective to the London Beer Competition judging panel. He will assess entries not only for their quality and drinkability, but also for their value, packaging, market positioning and potential to succeed with distributors and hospitality operators. His understanding of both established and emerging beer styles makes him a valuable addition to the 2027 judging panel.