We’re sad that Alan Gomez, one of our favorite baristas from Lord Windsor [macchiato pictured above] missed the regionals this year and will be unable to compete at the USCC. Photo by Brian Addison.
If one needs proof that Long Beach’s coffee scene is booming, look no further: for the first time ever, the U.S. Coffee Championships (USCC) will be held in Long Beach come February of next year.
The four-day event marks not just the first time it will be held in Long Beach but the first time the event will be held outside the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA)’s annual gathering. The SCAA, whose offices used to be headquartered right here in Long Beach, will be taking on the World Barista Championships (WBC) in April, meaning the US Championships had to be pushed forward.
“The SCAA Event is hosting the WBC so the USCC had to be hosted prior to that to establish our US champs who would go on to compete at the world level,” said Israel Serna of the SCAA. “Long Beach is an amazing city—definitely a coffee-loving city—and we’re excited to bring the excitement of the country’s most skilled and passionate baristas and coffee professionals here in February.”
Previously, the USCC was held in Seattle this year, Boston in 2013, Portland in 2012, and Houston in 2011. The last time the event was in California was when Anaheim acted as host in 2010.
When the event was ran in conjunction with the SCAA’s annual event, nearly 10,000 attended, with an additional 5,000 people tuning into the live stream.
Given the smaller size of the USCC detached from the SCAA, around 1,500 people are expected each day to watch some of the nation’s most talented coffee masters show off their skills and compete in the following categories: U.S. Barista Championship, U.S. Brewers Cup, U.S. Latte Art Championship, U.S. Cup Tasters Championship, and Roasters Choice Competition.
Following the USCC, to be held February 19 through February 22 at the Long Beach Arena, the WBC will be held in Seattle from April 9 through April 12.
Coffee professionals who are interested in competing are encouraged to review the Rules and Regulations for their respective competition. If you are interested in competing or volunteering for one of these events, or have questions regarding the U.S. Coffee Championships, please email [email protected]. To learn more about supporting these events through sponsorship, please email [email protected]. More information about regional coffee competitions will be available at uscoffeechampionships.org.
{FG_GEOMAP [33.7662565,-118.1896274] FG_GEOMAP}