Beer judges from across the world have condemned Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and hundreds are calling for festival and competition organisers to limit the involvement of beers from the country’s brewers.

The 500-plus strong group also says its members will not participate in any competition in Russia or Belarus until further notice.

In a statement the group said: “International beer judges strongly condemn the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

“The entire world is facing great challenges that can only be overcome with international cooperation. Our community experiences at every beer competition how people from all countries can successfully work together in harmony, respect and shared enthusiasm. The invasion of Ukraine tramples all these values underfoot.

“We call on all international beer competitions to remove Russian beers and beers from Belarus from the competition and not to evaluate them. We will welcome back those brewers who are working for peace and an end to aggression, as soon as the leadership of their country has stopped behaving in such an inhuman manner.

“We call on all players from the beer world to limit cooperation with Russian companies and suppliers to the absolute minimum and to end it in the medium term.”

The group said it supported brewers and others in Russia and Belarus who are working for peace and ending aggression.

A number of brewers in St Petersburg, Russia have taken part in protests against the invasion.

“With this resolution we want to show our solidarity with Ukraine on the one hand, but on the other hand we want to remind from our own experience that people from all countries of the world can work together,” said the statement.