The USBC
Recap by Laila & Colin
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| Laila looking poised. |
This year, coffee people from all over the world flooded my town of Portland, Oregon for the 2012 Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Annual Event. A city billowing with coffee culture, having the expo here was a great fit. No shortage of cafes and roasters, not to mention a decent food and drink scene. All in all, I think the visitors were well taken care of.
The United States Barista Championship was held in conjunction with the SCAA Event. 56 of some of the best barista competitors in the US came out for a chance at the title of USBC. With a nearly a full roster, the competition was steep to say the least.
After taking a year off, Intelligentsia jumped back into the competition scene sending 5 competitors, all finalists in their respective regions. MadCap Coffee had great representation, sending 4 competitors, including two 2011 USBC finalists. Then there was Chris Baca of Verve Coffee Roasters. After placing 2nd in the 2010 USBC, Baca took some time off and decided to jump into the 2012 USBC, even though he didn't compete in his regional which means he was at the very end of the waiting list. Luckily, he was able to squeeze in.
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| From Left to Right, our emotional USBC finalists: Katie, Chris, Devin, Jared, Charles, and Travis |
Baca made it to the finals along with Jared Truby also of Verve, Katie Carguilo of Counter Culture Coffee Roasters, Charles Babinski of Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea, Devin Chapman of Coava Coffee Roasters, and Travis Beckett of Peregrine Espresso. It was an exciting time for us Northwesterners to have Chapman in the finals. Not only because the competition was being held here, but there has not been NW representation in the USBC finals since Billy Wilson in 2006.
In the end it was Katie Carguilo who took the title of US Barista Champion, and will head to the World Barista Competition in Vienna in June. Katie has been competing for six years now -- a self described “every other year” competitor who’s come a long way since her days with Murky Coffee. Her accomplishment is also a win for Counter Culture Coffee, who, despite their reputation for excellence have never had a competitor using their coffee win the USBC. With all the talk of "women in coffee" this year, having a woman USBC champion was literally great timing. The score is now tied with 5 men holding USBC title and 5 women, so the battle can rest, for now.
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| Winning the USBC: pure ecstasy |
The United States Brewers Cup was also an incredibly exciting competition with Andy Sprenger taking home the title for the 2nd year in a row. 2nd and 3rd place were awarded to Jon Ferguson and Dut Goodman. Mike Marquard, Robbie Krask, and Lorenzo Perkins rounded out the finals. Perkins and Marquard are both former US Barista Competition finalists. This crossover from barista to brewers, or even competing in both, is making this fairly new competition even more interesting to watch.
The competitions took place in the Activities Hall at the Oregon Convention Center, along with the wildly successful BGA Café. Volunteers from all over donated their time to serve the large crowds of people. Two espresso machines, manual brewing, a number of different roasters, serving people amazing coffee. This is also where every barista competitor got to serve their own competition espresso after their routine. A great way to allow the audience to engage in the experience. This is a very well received idea and I for one hope we continue with.
- Laila Ghambari
The competitions took place in the Activities Hall at the Oregon Convention Center, along with the wildly successful BGA Café. Volunteers from all over donated their time to serve the large crowds of people. Two espresso machines, manual brewing, a number of different roasters, serving people amazing coffee. This is also where every barista competitor got to serve their own competition espresso after their routine. A great way to allow the audience to engage in the experience. This is a very well received idea and I for one hope we continue with.
- Laila Ghambari
Thanks Laila! This was indeed an extremely competitive year at the USBC. I think it was the most competitive USBC since I started watching in 2008. We should mention all our lovely USBC judges representing the BGA on the other side of the table --- I don’t envy them having to pick apart some hard-wrought and careworn competition routines, but on the other hand, I’m quite jealous of the opportunity to taste some super sweet espresso.
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| Believe it Andy: you just won the US Brewers Cup |
The Activities Hall also housed the US Cup Tasters Championship. We love the Cup Tasters Championship, especially for its real-time results which totally get the crowd involved. Congrats to Steve Bauer of Paragon Coffee Trading Co. who is representing the USA in Vienna next month in the World Cup Tasters Championship.
The BGA also had a presence at the SCAA Event teaching both Level One and Level Two coursework, administering exams, sponsoring our yearly throwdown, and hosting the BGA party.
Thanks again to Laila for calling out the BGA cafe. The addition of a third espresso machine showcasing the USBC competitors and their coffee gave a huge boost of energy to the cafe volunteers who had a chance to pull shots alongside some of the best baristas in the country. As one attendee said, with the addition of the USBC competitors our cafe was, for that weekend, the best cafe in the city -- perhaps the country. A huge compliment, especially considering the city we were in. It was a real pleasure to serve everyone some delicious coffee this year. I believe we can consider this a permanent addition to the BGA cafe.
-Colin
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| Congratulations to our Champions. #Winning |
