Bernhard has received some of the highest accolades in the spirits industry, including Master of the Quaich (2007). He is co-founder of the European Network of Spirits Experts and has earned a WSET Spirits Level 3. Bernhard became a professional spirits taster in 1997 and judges for the IWSC in Germany and the UK, the Belgian Concours Mondial Spirits Selection and the German Craft Spirits Awards. Bernhard lectures on Rum, Gin, Whisky, Cognac and Champagne, and is contributing Editor for several Bar and Drinks magazines in the GSA countries.