feature article - march 2008
Alterra hosts barista competition
MILWAUKEE’S GROWING coffee culture will get several shots of espresso this month when the 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition takes place in the city for the first time.
Alterra Coffee Roasters is hosting the event, which will bring outstanding baristas from Great Lakes states here March 13-16. Open to the public, the competition will be held on the fourth floor of the P.H. Dye building, 320 E. Buffalo St. in the Historic Third Ward.
Three separate stages and spectator areas will be used for the competition. Baristas (experts in the preparation of espresso-based coffee drinks) get only 15 minutes to prepare and serve four espressos, four cappuccinos and four nonalcoholic signature drinks of their own creation. Time is kept by judges, who also evaluate preparation and cleanup.
Preliminary rounds of competition are set for 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15. The finals from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday are expected to draw the most interest. There is no admission charge and coffee drinks also will be available at no charge.
Justin Teisl and Scott Lucey, baristas and barista trainers at Alterra, have been judging and timing each other in preparation for the competition. Both have experience in latte art and barista competition throughout the U.S.
The Milwaukee event is one of 10 regional contests leading to the 20th annual Specialty Coffee Association of America competition in Minneapolis. More than 50 baristas are expected to compete for the U.S. title and the chance to compete in the World Barista Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“It is our hope that audience members will join us in our exploration of the best coffees available to us,” says barista Teisl. “That’s what it is all about - increasing awareness and appreciation of amazing coffee and espresso.”
Other local participants in addition to the two Alterra baristas include two baristas from Stone Creek Coffee. For updates on other participants and event details, visit www.greatlakesbaristacompetition.com
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