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The rules are simple; judges will evaluate (blind), purely based on taste, and the best filter style brew from the AeroPress. We want the competition to be as simple and transparent as possible, with the intention of fine-tuning the hugely varied technique used to brew on the AeroPress. The World AeroPress Championship has approved this rule set.
The required volume of the drink is 2dL, which must be served in the supplied cupping cup. No added ingredients are allowed . All competitors will have an 8 minutes comp time, this includes prep time & brew time – the clock will count down from 8 minutes. Failure to serve the drink in that time will mean disqualification. The technique used by the competitor must be in writing and given to the judges – this will not be considered in judging.
HEAD JUDGE: The Head Judge for the 2015 Canadian AeroPress Championships is Josh Hockin, (Transcend Coffee). Additional judges are Sam Tolhurst (Fratello Coffee Roasters) and Phil Robertson (Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters).
JUDGING: There are three judges and a Head Judge. There are no official score-sheets or cupping forms used by the judges. The three judges are all competent coffee tasters and have a high level of experience brewing with the AeroPress and are acquainted with the AeroPress cup profile and style. The judges are also competent in assessing extraction via taste only.
The competitors must serve the exact same amount of coffee in each of their cups – this will ensure equal assessment. Temperature of the drink is not assessed, and the judges have as much time as required to allow the drink to cool for optimal drinking temperature. Stirring and cooling warmer brews is suggested for the judges to equalize the temperature. The cups provided will have the competitors number written on the bottom of the cup. Once judges have completed their evaluation, the MC or head judge will count to 3, at which point the judges will point to their favoured cup. The most votes wins. If all 3 judges choose a different coffee, the head judge will cup all the coffees and make the final decision.
Judges will be looking for clarity of flavour via good extraction and a distinct representation of the coffee used for the competition. As a guide, judges should be assessing aroma, flavour, acidity & sweetness, body, balance and aftertaste.
ROUNDS: The event entry will be open to maximum 30 participants. In the preliminary rounds, there will be 9 rounds of 3 competitors per round. The winner from each round will go though to the semi-finals. There will be 3 semi-final rounds, with 3 competitors in each round. The 3 winners will go head-to-head in the final round.
In the case of only 18 competitors, third place will be determined before the final round between the 2 winners of the semi-finals. Judges will select the 2nd best coffee from each of the semi-finals.
After each round, competitors must use the judging time to clear their station so it is ready for the next round of competitors. During which time the next round of competitors may set up their equipment.
Competitors are welcome to bring their own water and may bring their own grinder. Competitors will be supplied with one Bonavita kettle, one Aerobie AeroPress and one Mahlkonig EK43 grinder. Any modifications to the actual AeroPress will need to be authorized by the Head Judge. Any AeroPress filters, including metal filters, are allowed.
GRINDER: The official competition grinder of the 2015 Canadian AeroPress Championship is Mahlkonig EK43. Note: the use of this grinder is not mandatory.
SCALE: The official competition scale for the 2015 Canadian AeroPress Championships is the Acaia Pearl. The Acaia is an award-winning scale designed specifically for the coffee enthusiast and professional barista. The scales set a new standard for speed and precision with ultra-fast 20ms response time and 1/10 gram sensitivity.
KETTLE: The official competition kettle is the Bonavita 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle. This kettle will be made available to every competitor.
WATER: The water used will be 60ppm water achieved through a Cirqua system. The system creates reverse osmosis water and mixes it to the right ratio with filtered City of Calgary water to achieve 60ppm.
COFFEE SELECTION: Competitors are permitted to use ONLY Phil & Sebastian roasted coffee for the 2015 Canadian AeroPress Championship. Coffee will be sent out to competitors on March 13, 2015. More information can be found in competition package.
First Prize: Flight and Accommodation to Seattle, USA for the 2015 World Aeropress Championships.
Second Prize: Baratza Encore, One Aeropress, One Acaia Scale and One Hario Glass Decanter
Third Prize: One Aeropress, One Acaia Scale and One Hario Glass Decanter
The competition date is Sunday March 22, 2015, doors open at 2pm with a start time of 3pm. The event will be held at Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters’ Roasterie and Headquarters: 2701- 16th Street SE in Calgary.
The entry fee for this event is $30 (Plus GST), per competitor.
The event is free to the public.
