Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting slated for this weekend
Feb. 20—This is a question that gets asked over and over: "Sure, water tasting might matter, but only to a handful of old men in Canada, right?"
Actually, water tasting has a huge impact on Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.
The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting is the largest and longest running water tasting in the world. When it started in 1991, the organizers never imagined the impact the event would have on the town and the world of water. Over the years, over 735 distinct waters from six continents, 59 countries and 47 states and D.C. have been tasting in the competition.
If you happen to be in a grocery store in Bosnia, the bottle you pick up will have a Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting medal on it — if you choose the good water. You'll find this stamp of approval displayed on thousands of bottles sold all over the world. Sometimes, the only English words on a label are Berkeley Spring.
Arthur von Wiesenberger will serve as water master and is responsible for training the judges at this year's event, which will be held on Feb. 24 and 25.
The event also includes a seminar, Water: Beneath the Surface and Around the Globe, which takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24. This will also be livestreamed.
New this year, Project WET (Water Education Today) will host three exhibits at the event, two of which are interactive. They will also present at the seminar.
Come by The Country Inn on Feb. 25 to learn from Project WET, and visit the public tasting table to sample waters — bottled, sparkling and municipal — from all over the world.
Learn more at berkeleyspringswatertasting.com.
