The United States Barista Championship is in town this week. You’ll know it by the heavy concentration of tattoos, messenger bags, custom espresso tampers and over-caffeinated strangers walking around sections of North and Southeast Portland. The competition starts Thursday, March 5 at the Oregon Convention Center and continues each day until the final round on Sunday. It’s free to the public and as an added bonus, various roasters / baristas will be showing their stuff behind the “4th Machine” – basically, a rotating array of coffee that anyone can partake in.
Our own Alex Pond will be representing the Northwest Region on Saturday – his time has not been scheduled yet… He’s been working overtime at the American Barista and Coffee School honing his presentation for the judges.
The lineup this year looks like a bunch of heavy hitters, this could be as epic as Daniel-san making his way through the tournament! Except without the weird mustaches and Elisabeth Shue.
Let’s go A1!
Go Alex! Wax on, wax off!
Sweep the leg. NO MERCY!