Interested in hosting a u.s. COFFEECHAMPS preliminary?

Here is what you need to know!

U.S. Coffee Championship Preliminary competitions are community-driven events that allow community members the chance to host an official competition. These events can be strictly competition-based, or make it your own by adding fun and interactive elements – including Latte Art Throwdowns, parties, and more  for your community to enjoy!

So you want to host a prelim? There will be 6 - 12 preliminary locations between July - October 2022. Applications will be reviewed by both the US Competitions Strategic Committee and the SCA US Chapter National Committee. You'll receive an email by July 8, 2022 whether you are selected or not. Please be sure to add uscompetitions@sca.coffee to your address book so you don't miss any communication!

Step 1: Fill out the Host Application Form. Deadline for applications is now June 21, 2022.

Step 2: The U.S. Competitions Committee and the U.S. Chapter Coordinators will review applications & select a minimum of 2 (per competition) hosts for the 2022 season.

Step 3: The U.S. Competitions Committee Chair will contact the selected hosts & provide them with information to help run their Preliminary Competition. All host applicants will be contacted by July 8, 2022. Please add uscompetitions@sca.coffee to your address book so the communication does not go to your spam/junk box.

Step 4: The SCA U.S. Chapter will announce the dates and locations of the all USCC Preliminaries in July, 2022.

Step 5: USCC Preliminaries will take place throughout July - October 2022.

Goals:

  • To vet new competitors (those who are competing for the first time or have not competed in the last five years) for the U.S. CoffeeChamps Qualifying Competition

  • To facilitate increased access to coffee competitions for new competitors and judges

  • To allow for more opportunities for the community to host their own events in a format that works for them

Details:

  • Hosts are encouraged to partner with 1-2 co-host companies to strengthen relationships within the community and to share responsibilities.

  • Hosts must have a Presiding Head Judge to help train judges & run each competition. The U.S. Competition Committee will assign Hosts a Head Judge. Fee:  $1,000-$1,500*

    * Dependent on location for Head Judge travel, accommodations, meals and incidentals, calculated based on Government Rates per city.

  • Hosts must create a website, Facebook Group or Event, or similar web page for their Preliminary.

  • Hosts will be in charge of communicating with their registered competitors and judges about logistics and event details. The US Competitions Strategic Committee is available for Host questions and support but Preliminaries competitors and judges will only communicate with the Host.

Barista Minimum Requirements

  • 8-24 Competitors over 1-2 Days
  • 6-12 Sensory Judges, 2-6 Tech Judges, 1+ Head Judge
  • 1-2 Espresso Grinders
  • 1-2 Espresso Machines
  • Milk
  • Wares/Supplies (cups, steaming pitchers, knock boxes, etc.)
  • 2 or more coffees from 2 or more roasters
  • Cupping or batch brewing equipment

Brewers Cup Minimum Requirements

  • 6-16 Competitors over 1-2 Days
  • 4-8 judges, 1+ Head Judge
  • 1-2 Hot Water Towers
  • 1-2 Filter/Bulk Coffee Grinders
  • 2 or more coffees from 2 or more roasters
  • Cupping or batch brewing equipment

Coffee in Good Spirits Minimum Requirements

  • 4-12 Competitors over 1-2 Days
  • 4-8 Taste Judges, 1-2 Visual Judges, 1+ Head Judge
  • 1-2 Hot Water Towers
  • 1-2 Filter/Bulk Coffee Grinders
  • Whiskey, Vodka, and Rum
  • Wares/Supplies (cups, bar tools, manual brewing devices, etc.)
  • Ice
  • 2 or more coffees from 2 or more roasters
  • Cupping or batch brewing equipment

Cup Tasters Minimum Requirements

  • 4-18 Competitors over 1-2 Days
  • Batch brewing equipment
  • A Minimum of 50 Cupping Bowls
  • Cupping spoons

Latte Art Minimum Requirements

  • 12-18 Competitors over 1-2 Days
  • 6-8 Visual Judges, 3-4 Tech Judges, 1+ Head Judge
  • 1-2 Espresso Grinders
  • 1-2 Espresso Machines
  • Homogenized Whole Milk
  • Wares/Supplies (cups, steaming pitchers, knock boxes, etc.)
  • 2 or more coffees from 2 or more roasters at agtron scale 40-60 for both ground and whole bean. Samples are required to be sent to USLAC committee 6 weeks prior to the competition date. Coffee has to work well with holding both dry and flat white style milk foam.
  • Milk pitchers and 10oz latte cups
  • Potential equipment to set up overhead cameras to photograph competitor’s pours

Roaster Minimum Requirements

  • 6-12 Competitors over 1-2 Days
  • 2-4 Sensory Judges, 1 Head Judge
  • 20lbs of Green Coffee per competitor (shipped to competitors 2 weeks prior to competition)
  • Batch brewing equipment
  • Cupping equipment (cupping bowls, cupping spoons, grinder, etc.)

2022 - 2023 Timeline*

*updated June 15

June 1-21 - Prelims Host Applications Open (extended from June 15)

July 8 - Hosts notified and asked to accept. 

July 14 - USCC Prelims Announced

July, August, September and October - Prelims

Early December - Qualifiers 1

End of January - Qualifier 2

April - 2022 US Coffee Championships