Please make sure you’ve read the Official Rules & Regulations of Competition in full before reviewing this FAQ, as they cover the majority of competition details and requirements. This document is intended to clarify common questions and provide additional guidance.

COFFEE

  1. What’s the competition coffee?

This will only be disclosed after we wrap up in London.

  1. When will the competition coffee be roasted?

We roast and dispatch coffee every Friday. We will roast and send out the first batch of competition coffee on Friday 6th of March. 

  1. Can I buy extra coffee to practise?

You will get 1 bag (200gr) of competition coffee with your competition ticket. You can purchase as much extra coffee as you wish on our website.

  1. Can I use my practice coffee on stage?

No, you can not. We will provide you with a sealed 50gr bag of competition coffee to use on stage.

  1. How long will the competition coffee you provide on stage have been rested for?

Regional heats: rested for 13 days 

London heat and final: rested for 15 days 

Relevant roasting dates are as follows:

  • 10th of April - stage coffee for Manchester 

  • 17th of April - stage coffee for Newcastle

  • 22nd of May - stage coffee for Brighton

  • 5th of June - stage coffee for Birmingham

  • 3rd of July - stage coffee for London

COMPETITION

  1. What time will I compete?

A detailed schedule of the competition timeslots will be emailed to you at least 2 days before the competition day. This will be subject to minor changes on competition day if there are any cancellations or last minute sign ups.

You will have to be in the venue 30mins before the competition starts for a briefing.

  1. What will the briefing entail?

We will check everyone is on site and confirm your competition timeslot. We will answer any questions or concerns you may have.

  1. Will I have practice time in the venue before the competition starts?

No.

  1. How much time will I have to set up my station? (Pre-Competition Preparation / Set Up Time)

2 minutes.

  1. What am I allowed to do during the set up time?

You can:

  • Set up your station

  • Make your own brewing water

  • Pre heat your brewing water 

  • Sort your beans

You cannot:

  • Put your beans in the grinder 

  • Grind your beans

  • Rinse the filter

  • Preheat or prechill brewing vessels or brewers

Please note that you must keep all equipment off the competition counter until set up time starts.

  1. How much time will I have to brew and present my coffee to the judges?

5 minutes. Please note the coffee must be poured into the judging vessel and presented to the judges within this time. If you have not poured coffee into the judging vessel, or if you are still in the motion of pouring coffee into the judging vessel when the official time passes 5 minutes, this will result in disqualification.

  1. Can I bring a friend to help me prepare/set up?

You can bring someone to support you, but they won’t be able to help you set up on stage. Only competitors and organisers can step on stage.

  1. How many people will compete per round?

2 or 3, depending on the total number of competitors, last minute cancellations and other logistics.

  1. What is the prize?

Representing England in the World Aeropress Championship and other coffee prizes. The exact location and date hasn’t been confirmed yet but we know it’ll be somewhere in the Americas (not the US) in December.

Your travel and accommodation expenses will be covered.

EQUIPMENT AND WATER

  1. Can I bring my own equipment?

Yes, you’re welcome to bring your own Aeropress, grinder, scales, kettle and any other permitted accessories according to the Official Rules and Regulations.

  1. Can I use my own water?

Yes, you can, as long as it tastes neutral. Your water can’t taste sweetened or adulterated. 

  1. Can I make my own water on stage?

Yes, you can make your own water during your set up time (2 mins) and/or during your competition time (5 mins).

The head judge reserves the right to taste your water at any point.

  1. What equipment and water will you provide?

We can provide Acaia scales, Fellow kettles, Sibarist FAST and B3 disc filters and Aeropress Original brewers.

If you require any of the equipment above please let us know as soon as we call you on to the stage so we can make sure it’s ready for you to grab before your set up time starts.

IX Water is our water sponsor and will provide water for competitors across all events. These are the water specs:

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): 95 ppm ± 5
Calcium Hardness (as CaCO₃): 35 ppm ± 3
Magnesium Hardness (as CaCO₃): 10 ppm ± 2
Total Hardness (Ca + Mg, as CaCO₃): 45 ppm ± 4
Alkalinity / Bicarbonate (as CaCO₃): 40 ppm ± 3
Sodium (Na⁺): ≤ 5 ppm
Chloride (Cl⁻): ≤ 5 ppm
pH: 7.1 ± 0.1

OTHER 

  1. How long will the event last?

Regional heats will start at 6pm and run for 2-3 hours, depending on the number of competitors.

London will be an all day event - the London heat will run in the morning/afternoon, and the National Final will run in the evening. Exact times to be announced.

  1. Are spectators welcome?

Everybody is welcome, you can let all your friends know! No tickets required for spectators this year, they can just show up.