Cleveland’s Bonlife Coffee will host the Southeast Regional Aeropress Championship on Saturday, April 5. The event is open to competitors from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Competitors will be competing for prizes, prestige and a spot in the U.S. Championships hosted at the Specialty Coffee Association Event in Seattle, April 24-27.
Regional championships have become common in coffee circles, as baristas look to highlight their expertise in beverage making and various brewing techniques. Unlike some other coffee competitions that involve rigorous technical requirements, Aeropress competitions have pretty simple rules. Judges will evaluate (blind), purely based on taste, the best brew from the Aeropress. The goal is for the competition to be as transparent as possible, with the intention of fine tuning the hugely varied technique used to brew on the Aeropress.
The judges will pick round winners on a three count, after tasting each of the competitor coffees, and round winners will move on, from preliminary through finals, within a short period of time.
Bonlife’s Retail Roastery, on First Street Square in downtown Cleveland at 241 Inman Street East, within walking distance of downtown businesses and Lee University, will host the inaugural Southeastern Championship. Sponsors include Barista Magazine, Aerobie, Able Brewing, Prima Coffee Equipment, and more.
The Aeropress is a fairly new brewing device that has rapidly gained popularity due to its ease of use and low cost. It is widely used by travelers and campers, and is even a regular part of the menu at several area shops.
“We’re excited to be a part of highlighting this great brewing device and increasing specialty coffee awareness in our area, as well as let the rest of the south see how far coffee culture has come in Southeast Tennessee!” said Bonlife owner Erika Moore.
Area baristas are encouraged to enter as the field is limited to 18 competitors, and is expected to fill quickly with world class competitors from across the region. Prizes including Aerobie gold, silver, and bronze Aeropress trophies will be included, as well as gift bags and swag for those in attendance.
Complete rules, registration information and more on the event and the World Aeropress championship circuit can be found at http://seaeropress.com and http://worldaeropresschampionship.com/