2022 US Aeropress Championships

Grassroots camaraderie presses on (pun meant) at this yr’s U.S. championship.

BY JOSH TAVES
SPECIAL TO BARISTA MAGAZINE

Pictures by Josh Taves

The AeroPress championships have been the monarch of grassroots espresso championships for a very long time now—14 years to be actual. Whereas nearly each different type of espresso sports activities has been co-opted and grown by our social-media-frenzied technology’s need to take one thing enjoyable and minor and ”make it a factor,” the AeroPress championships have remained, properly … small.

Truthfully, I believe that’s why folks prefer it. On the finish of the day, regardless of what number of Instagram followers, sponsors, or media writers the AeroPress championships appeal to, they nonetheless encompass a handful of parents in a again room or facet stage getting collectively to brew espresso merely and deliciously. For over a decade now I’ve been ready for AeroPress championships to go mainstream; they only gained’t. I like that.

The Vibe

I’ve by no means typed out fun in an article earlier than, as I really feel these are finest left for abbreviated guffaws between mates, however I believe this quote from the World Aeropress Championship web site would possibly deserve simply that:

“We’re not notably keen on guidelines and rules—they’ve sucked the enjoyable and inclusivity out of different espresso competitions.”

Hahaha. Good.

So, when the U.S. AeroPress Championship got here inside driving distance of the place I reside, I made a decision to make the trek to see it for myself. Now to be honest, I had seen the U.S. AeroPress Championship earlier than, nevertheless it normally concerned a couple of beers, numerous of us to talk with, and me probably not paying consideration. I used to be excited to spend a bit extra targeted time seeing the motion firsthand. There is no such thing as a qualifying occasion for the U.S. AeroPress Championship, so stakes have been excessive, as one of many 17 opponents from across the nation would go on to signify the USA on the World AeroPress Championship.

The Digs

Tinker Espresso Co. in Indianapolis hosted the occasion of their coaching lab, which had loads of bar area for heats of three opponents brewing on the identical time head-to-head. Opponents had 5 minutes to make and serve their espresso. All of the opponents used the identical espresso (supplied by Tinker), and it was as much as them to use the recipe, approach, and preparation model that finest match that espresso. Some introduced their very own grinders, some groomed the entire beans, and a few sifted the grounds. All labored onerous, put their coronary heart into it, and had a good time.

A Considered Strategy

The judging format was about as loosey-goosey and soulful because the quote above would lead you to consider. The three judges had various levels of espresso expertise (one was Hugo Cano, the 2021 U.S. AeroPress Champion). They took a couple of minutes to style all three coffees in every warmth, do some spitting and considering, after which on the depend of three pointed to their favourite. The fortunate brewer who had probably the most fingers pointed at their cup acquired to advance to the following warmth within the hopes of extra fingers being pointed at their submission. Three heats later and a champion was topped.

The U.S. AeroPress Championship lived as much as its grassroots hype. Tasting the identical espresso being interpreted many various methods by many various of us with many various personalities—utilizing a brewer as dynamic because the AeroPress—is among the extra attention-grabbing experiences I’ve had within the espresso world.

The End result

On the finish of the weekend, three opponents stood on stage and acquired recognition for his or her recipes. Cecil Cope of Stone Creek Espresso in Milwaukee completed third, hometown hero Luke Speers of Amberson Espresso completed second, and taking high honors was Daniel Soria from Typica Chicago. The ultimate heats have been achieved on the bigger stage in entrance of a full viewers (Tinker was internet hosting the U.S. CoffeeChamps preliminaries the identical weekend), and it made for an entertaining occasion.

Daniel Soria will probably be representing the USA within the World AeroPress Championship in Vancouver, B.C., in a couple of weeks, due to the host of sponsors that proceed to take a position on this groundswell tradition.

Lengthy reside the AeroPress championships.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Josh Taves is the pinnacle of enterprise growth for Stovetop Roasters in Michigan and the
creator of CuppingBrewer.com. He’s additionally a 2017 USBC finalist, so he is aware of his method round
numerous completely different espresso devices. He’s been working within the espresso business since 2006 and enjoys
making the most of all the nice adventures the outside have to supply.