GENERAL INFORMATION: This year's competition is about technical roasting and blending skills. Can you create the best roast for brewing from a single coffee that is the same for all competitors? Can you create the best high end espresso blend from a pair of coffees that is the same for all competitors? Since everyone is using the same coffees; mistakes and flaws will stick out. So the winner must produce a technically perfect roast, as well as one that hits the sweet spot of these coffees.

There are no naturals in the mix, so dramatic day to day changes in the taste are less likely. However, do be aware how your coffee ages and arrange the shipping and freezing accordingly.

FORMAT There is only one espresso and one brewed competition this year.

• Espresso: a 3rd wave blend of a pulp natural Brazil Yellow Bourbon and an Antigua Bourbon. You may submit 100% of one or the other coffee as your entry. Blends with multiple roasts and roast levels (melange blends) are allowed
• Brewed: a high end brewing coffee from a single Kenya Nyeri. Blends of multiple roasts and roast levels (melange blends) are allowed.

COFFEES These coffees are from Sweet Maria's. International competitors who cannot get a direct shipment please see below.

• Espresso 1: Guatemala Antigua Finca Retena
• Espresso 2: Brazil (Carmo de Minas) Fazenda Sao Benedito Pulp Natural.
• Brewing: Kenya Nyeri Gaturiri AB

DATES Entries must be received no later than Monday, October 14. The final round of judging will take place Friday, Oct 18 for the brewing, and Saturday Oct 19 for the espresso. The details of preliminary judging rounds will depend on the number of entries.

ADDRESS FOR ESPRESSO ENTRIES


ADDRESS FOR BREWING ENTRIES


PACKAGING

• Packaging must be ready for the freezer
• It must be robustly labeled with your name, email or HB handle, and what it is entered for.
• You can include notes on paper about the blend and roast, or submit these by email/pm

REQUIRED WEIGHT

• We need a minimum 1/4 pound of green roasted (net weight 90 to 95 grams).
• There is no need to send more than a half pound.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS: If you live in a country to which Sweet Maria's does not ship: BoldJava is willing to ship internationally for contestants. Contact him via PM no later than Sunday September 8. Details are: USPS Priority mail, 6-10 days estimated. No additional coffees other than contest coffees. He offers this at cost plus PayPal fees and $1. You assume liability for taxes, duty fees, late deliveries, lost shipments, etc. No shipments to Brazil, Philippines, or Mexico.

DISCUSSION THREAD

Here are the top five in the brewing competition. I'll add more detail once the SM judges have prepped their notes.

1st Rama Roberts (rama).
2nd Hank Levine (hankua), Henry Chang (chang00)
4th Cammie Hill (cammie)
5th Mark Hansen (MSH)

Congratulations to all; well done!