by Lisa Schauer
Members of the worldwide water industry descended into town over the weekend for the 36th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.
Awards for water taste and packaging were at stake, symbolizing not only bragging rights, but a marketing advantage in a competitive and growing industry.
German author and water sommelier Pat Eckert kicked things off on Friday, February 20 with a keynote address on the cosmic journey and human essence of water.
In an interview with The Morgan Messenger, Eckert disputed the notion that water has no taste, making it difficult to judge.
“You know when you taste it, ‘this is my water’,” said Eckert.
photos by Lisa Schauer
The water sommelier described how water tasting doesn’t have a standard vocabulary.
He said some people might say a water tastes like rocks, while others say it tastes like snow. Children will use colorful descriptions, like “black” signifying minerals or “yellow,” conveying the essence of spring.
To demonstrate his point, Eckert offered a stylish bottle of Vietnamese artesian water called Miocen.
His challenge was to wait and drink it slowly later, asking yourself if this water has no flavor.
Undeniably, the water he proffered was found to be so clean and refreshing, similar to Evian, that it could be called “my water.”
To be sure, all the waters tasted, including that of Berkeley Springs Water Works, proved so good they make one want to stay hydrated.
A team of judges then took the stage at The Country Inn to begin blind tasting and scoring.
Vendors were set up around the crowded room, offering samples and selling the virtues of their product.
Attendees were invited to vote in the people’s choice award for best packaging.
Handcrafted glass water drops created by West Virginia’s Appalachian Glass were presented as awards.
George McGraw, founder and CEO of DigDeep Right to Water Project, a human rights nonprofit based in California, received the 2026 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Lifetime Achievement Award.
The event concluded with the highly anticipated water rush, when attendees are invited to take the bottles displayed on the stage.
This year, bags were provided for the water rush, preventing people from using duffel bags and hoarding water, as in years past.
Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting is produced annually by Jill Klein Rone and Travel Berkeley Springs.