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A massive, mind-boggling field of talent representing some of the very best baristas in North America, these 26 baristas competed on Day One of the Big Central Regional Barista Championship. Here’s a curated selections of our favorite tweets from throughout the day, sourced via the @SprudgeLive Twitter feed.

Sprudge coverage from BCRBC made possible by direct support from Kaldi’s Coffee, PT’s Coffee, and Nuova Simonelli.

Sprudge.comโ€™s original photography at Big Central Regionals is shot by Charlie Burt โ€“ heโ€™s on Twitter as @Tiger_Friend

1. Katie Meyers, Alterra Coffee Roasters, Milwaukee – North Central Region:

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10:16 ms. meyers of @AlterraCoffee competes using Alterra’s Guatemala Hunapu, from the Antigua region – learn more.

10:19 ms. meyers of @AlterraCoffee competes using milk from “sassy cow farms” in wisconsin! sassy cow. sassy cow. sassy cow.

10:28 katie meyers’ sig drink: honey, water, lemon juice & zest, charged with CO2 into a meringue-like foam – add espresso.

10:30 katie meyers of @AlterraCoffee with a poised, pleasant, professional routine here to kick us off at #BCRBC – calls time at 15:48

2. Forrest Wright, PT’s Coffee Roasters, Topeka, KS – South Central Region

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10:37 forrest wright of @PTsCoffee at one time worked as a cherry picker in Guatemala in exchange for lodging. that’s wild man.

10:44 nectarine, red grape, “a fine red wine” – forrest wright on his @PTsCoffee Kenya Thiriku espresso

10:48 really involved sig drink from forrest wright of @PTsCoffee – hand whippin’, vac pot bubblin’, hot and cold contrast, sounds delish

10:59 forrest wright is kind of a man of steel up on stage – no shakes, no stutters, no flubs, no wiggles. super polished.

3. Jon Ferguson, Dogwood Coffee Company, MPLS – North Central Region

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10:56 we spotted @JonEFerguson of @DogwoodCoffee at #SERBC in atlanta – when asked “what are you doing here”, he replied “Research.”

10:58 mr. ferguson competes w/ a colombia microlot from @DogwoodCoffee Los Platos El Mandarino, from producer Nodier Andrade

11:03 a constant stream of dialogue and information from @JonEFerguson – never a quiet or awkward moment, steady engagement with the #BCRBC judges

11:06 his roast from @DogwoodCoffee includes 40% “lighter roast”, 60% more developed roast to accentuate “caramel notes”

11:09 mr. ferguson’s #BCRBC milk comes from autumn wood farm, just outside MPLS – learn more: http://www.autumnwoodfarmllc.com/ย 

4. Nathan Shelton, Cultivar Coffee, Dallas – South Central Region

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11:18 up next its Nathan Shelton – he’s the owner of @CultivarCoffee in Dallas, Texas

11:24 mr. shelton of @CultivarCoffee competes using a coffee from Colombia – “Agua Blanca”, Pedregral region, grown by the Penna family

11:30 sig drink from @CultivarCoffee‘s nathan shelton features cloves and cinnamon, mexican vanilla bean, molasses

5. Trevor Gruehn, Kickapoo Coffee Roasters, Viroqua, WI – North Central Region

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11:35 up next, it’s The Most Ridiculous Twitter Handle of #BCRBC – Trevor Gruehn ( @ThugLife4000 ) of @KickapooCoffee

11:43 oh my god @ThugLife4000 is also using Sassy Cow. Sassy Cow! Is Sassy Cow the official creamery of wisconsin #BCRBC competitors?

11:51 sig drink: @KickapooCoffee Kenya espresso with a meyer lemon honey syrup and “really awesome ice cubes”

6. Simeon David Bricker, The Roasterie, KCMO – South Central Region

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12:00 “it’s not a city where tourists come – it’s a city where people live. ” – @SimBricks of @TheRoastery on his home town of KCMO

12:10pm a very KCMO focused routine here from @SimBricks – kansas city brewery, kansas city area milk, kansas city jeans…

12:11pm mr. bricker’s sig drink is “the hoppiato”, made using washington state hops sourced by kansas city’s own @Boulevard_Beer

7. Andy Atkinson, Intelligentsia, Chicago – North Central Region

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12:15 “what piece of information can i tell someone that will add value to their experience?” – @BoomerBPA on the vagaries of service

12:19 mr. atkinson metions “orange sherbert and vanilla” as the notes for his Kenya Kangocho cappuccinos

12:23 mr. atkinson’s sig drink: blood orange, lavender infusion, coconut puree & maple syrup w/ @Intelligentsia Kenya Kangocho

12:28 mr. atkinson’s espresso shots have notes of “blood orange, candied apricot and maple syrup”

8. Patrick Burns, Palace Coffee Company, Canyon, TX – South Central Region

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advert but first coffee cookbook now available

 

12:42 “One shop by itself in a small community can make a difference – we can create an experience.” -Patrick Burns.

12:44 part of what we love about covering these events is learning about new shops. @PalaceCoffee sounds awesome. learn more: http://palacecoffee.co

12:47 mr. burns competes using @EvocationCoffee‘s Costa Rica La Violeta – learn more: http://www.evocationcoffee.com/collections/coffee/products/costa-rica-la-violetaย โ€ฆ

12:48pmย a surprise and pleasure, this routine from @PatrickBurns1 and his own @PalaceCoffee – calls time at 15:00 flat.

9. Matthew Scott, Lemonjello’s Coffee, Holland, MI – North Central Region

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1:00pm inside tip: @LemonJellos is the longest continually operating all-ages venue in the state of Michigan.

1:07pm mr. scott’s sig = “raspberry stout” – @LemonJellos espresso, local michigan raspberry jam, local michigan honey, co2 charge

1:09pm sincerely enjoyed this routine from matthew scott and @LemonJellos, but unfortunately he’s the first DQ of the day at #BCRBC – time at 16:19

10. David Fasman, Kaldi’s Coffee, St. Louis – South Central Region

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1:14pm @DavidFasman competes using @Kaldis_Coffee Panama Lerida Estate – learn more and take some home

1:27pm Sig drink: cantaloupe, raspberry, and pom juices,espresso & cold brew, brought together with CO2 charge

1:28pm mr. fasman calls time at 14:55 – big roar in the crowd, super impressive routine from @DavidFasman and @Kaldis_Coffee

11. Zaida Dedolph, HalfWit Coffee Roasters, Chicago – North Central Region

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1:34pm Ms. Dedolph competes using @HalfWitCoffee‘s Ecuador Perla Negra, sourced by the fine folks at @CafeImports

1:40pm i wanna dance with somebody. i wanna feel the heat with somebody. i wanna dance with somebody…somebody who loves me.

1:44 calls time at 14:57 – super cool, measured, professional routine from her and the folks at @HalfWitCoffee in Chicago

12. Lucas Becken, LatteLand, KCMO – South Central Region

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1:48pm up next, another hometown hero – it’s Lucas Becken of Kansas City’s own @LatteLand – serving @Kaldis_Coffee

2:o5pm mr. becken is a 1st time competitor and has been with @LatteLand a scant 6 months. shouts out @Kaldis_Coffee and @mmmboni for suppor

13. Joshua Stephenson, Greyhouse Coffee, Lafayette, IN – North Central Region

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2:11pm @GreyhouseCoffee is located near Purdue University – they’ve been voted “best coffeeshop” by the @purdueexponent 3 years running

2:14pm mr. stephenson of @GreyhouseCoffee competes using @PTsCoffee signature Southpaw Espresso – learn more: http://store.ptscoffee.com/coffees/southpaw_espresso.htmlย โ€ฆ

2:2opm mr. stephenson’s sig drink: juiced tangellos, @PTsCoffee southpaw espresso, malt syrup “painted” inside a shot glass

14. Pete Licata, Parisi Coffee, KCMO – South Central Region

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2:32 literally standing room only here at #BCRBC at @PeteLicata takes the stage, representing @ParisiCoffee

2:34pm mr. licata’s coffee is a quick-washed number grown by Lucas Vera the Loja region of Southern Ecuador

2:37 Mr. Licata plays this game like an athlete. No wasted movements, no stuttered words, everything honed & fluid & focused.

2:45pm sig drink: blood orange, clover honey, dark-ish coffee, light-ish coffee, cold ginger cream w/ brown sugar

2:46pm asks judges to drink the hot liquid through the cold cream – “don’t be afraid, those napkins are there for you to use”

 

15. Mickey Comerford, Alterra Coffee Roasters, Milwaukee – North Central Region

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2:52 AWESOME. Mr. Comerford of @AlterraCoffee plays a vinyl copy of Isaac Hayes’ “Hot Buttered Soul” live on stage for his #BCRBC routine.

3:03 mr. comerford’s sig drink: apricot kernels, confectionary sugar and water – an amaretto paste – topped with @AlterraCoffee espresso.

3:05pm mr. comerford competes using @AlterraCoffee‘s Kenya Mukurwe – sig drink is paired with an amaretto paste. sounds awesome.

16. Ryan Jarboe, Evocation Coffee Roasters, Amarillo, TX – South Central Region

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3:14pm sweet cream, buttery, amaretto – @RyanDJarboe on his #BCRBC capps

3:24pm mr. jarboe calls time at 14:50 – @evocationcoffee is one of the big stories here at #BCRBC – check them out: http://www.evocationcoffee.com

17. Jordan Hubred, Parka, MPLS – North Central Region

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3:26pm Parka is a new restaurant collaboration between @DogwoodCoffee @Victory_44 and Rustica Bakery – 3 leading quality brands in MPLS

3:29pm Mr. Hubred’s espresso from @DogwoodCoffee = 50% costa rica 25% el salvador 25% brazil – tastes like “kiwi jolly rancher”

3:30pm did you guys know that people in MPLS are basically the nicest ever, and also they make delicious things?

18. Laura Clark, Homer’s Coffeehouse, KCMO – South Central

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3:52pm cocoa powder, milk chocolate, and cherry notes in @azn_barista‘s espressos – Guatemala La Voz, roasted by @EFHobbs

4:00pm sig drink = espresso, orange, ginger, and flamed cara cara orange zest

4:01pm ms. clark turns in a routine with heart & passion, but unfortunately she’s past 16 minutes and will be the 3rd DQ of the day at #BCRBC

4:02pm “today i hope i made the producers, farmers, and roasters proud” – @azn_barista you definitely totes did. โ™ฅ

19. Andrew Grassmick, MadCap Coffee Co., Grand Rapids, MI – North Central

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4:08pm Mr. Grassmick competes using @MadCapCoffee‘s Guatemala Las Aguas Altas, Huehuetenango region.

4:14pm “the first time i had this coffee, the heavens opened, the angels sang…i want to recreate that moment”

4:18pm sig drink: ghanaian cocoa melted w/ sugar & water, espresso, pressed blackberry w/ citrus peel, nutmeg

20. Nora Brady, Kaldi’s Coffee, St. Louis – South Central

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4:42 ms. brady serves a naturally processed Sumatra wahana estate from @Kaldis_Coffee “an outlier” that challenges preconceived notions

4:45 there is this magic x factor control & pace thing that great competitors all do, and @snackpackbrady does that thing.

4:56 calls time at 15:18 – shouldn’t hurt her too much, that’s easy one of the best routines of the day at #BCRBC

21. Brenna Kail, Intelligentsia, Chicago – North Central Region

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4:50pm Ms. Kail competes using @Intelligentsia‘s Organic Bolivia Anjilanaka, the coffee as fun to drink as it is to say!

4:52pm Brenna Kail of @intelligentsia drops espresso with “tart apricot, sweet caramel, a lingering clove finish”

5:02pm brenna kail of @intelligentsia turns in charming & professional routine, but unfortunately calls time at 16:10. she’s the 4th DQ of #BCRBC

22. Wyatt Johnson, LatteLand, KCMO – South Central Region

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5:06pm up now is Wyatt Johnson, one of several competitors representing KC’s own @LatteLand serving @Kaldis_Coffee

5:19pm mr. johnson of @latteland calls time at 14:40 – big cheers here for another hometown KC barista at #BCRBC

23. Talya Strader, Bow Truss Coffee, Chicago – North Central Region

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5:22 Talya’s routine at #BCRBC incorporates three coffees from three different roasters, processed three different ways

5:23 first coffee = washed red bourbon, roasted by @DarkMatter2521 – finca san jose from el salvador

5:29 2nd coffee from @talyastrader – ethiopia yirgacheffe roasted by @bowtruss served in capps – learn more: http://bowtruss.myshopify.com/products/ethiopia-yergacheffeย โ€ฆ

5:30pm 3rd coffee served at #bcrbc is a pulp natural Panama roasted by @ipsentocoffee – she’s using that for her sig drink

5:34pm sig drink: sorrel, cranberries, honey, & v60 brewed @ipsento Panama pulp natural topped with @bowtruss yirg espresso

5:37pm she calls time at 15:02-ish, just barely over. big massive ambitious complex fascinating varied smart routine

24. Steve Willingham, Elemental Coffee Roasters, OKC – South Central

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5:40pm mr. willingham will serve the judges a gedeo union yirgacheffe ethiopian – “a phenomenal coffee”

5:43pm @elementalcoffee is located in Oklahoma City, which is 5 hours and 354 miles from Kansas City and the BCRBC

5:55pm mr. willingham offers up a stellar routine here at #BCRBC, but unfortunately he’s just a few seconds over 16 minutes…5th DQ of the day

25. Brian Ensminger, The Coffee Studio, Chicago – North Central

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6:00pm Mr. Ensminger serves a Bolivian Ocho Estrellas coffee roasted by @Intelligentsia

6:09pm . @ensmingerbrianm’s routine reminds me of @TravisBeckett – 1 of 2012’s USBC finalists. similar pacing & composure & tone. a compliment.

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