We're hosting the 2024 USCC Preliminaries!

We are excited to be an official host for the 2024 U.S. Coffee Championship (USCC) Preliminaries, along with The Roasterie!

The competition will be held from September 29 – October 1, 2023 at Messenger Grand (1624 Grand Blvd / Kansas City, MO 64108) and The Roasterie Factory (1204 W. 27th Street / Kansas City, MO 64108).

The Roasterie will be hosting the Roasters Cup Preliminary, while we will be hosting the Brewers Cup Preliminary and Coffee in Good Spirits Preliminary.

Registration opens 8/14 - check below for registration links!

Important dates:

• Judges workshop: 9/29
• Brewers Cup competitor cupping: 9/29
• Launch Party: 9/29, 6-10 p.m. at Café Corazon
• Competition days: 9/30 and 10/1
• After party: 10/1
• Lots more to come!

Brewers Cup Preliminary

• Each Brewers Cup Prelim will host 6-16 competitors. The Top 4 competitors from each Prelim receive a reserved spot at one of the CoffeeChamps Qualifying Competitions. During the Preliminary round, competitors will have 8 minutes to brew two sensory judges each their own brew of a host-provided coffee with an accompanying presentation that enhances the coffee experience.
• Hosted at Messenger Grand, 1624 Grand Blvd / Kansas City, MO 64108
• View the full rules and regulations here.

 Register for Brewers Cup

Coffee in Good Spirits Preliminary

• Each Coffee in Good Spirits Prelim will host 4-12 competitors. The Top 3 competitors from each Prelim receive a reserved spot at one of the CoffeeChamps Qualifying Competitions.
• At the U.S. CoffeeChamps Coffee in Good Spirits Prelims: Competitors will have 6 minutes to make 2 individual brewed coffee and alcohol cocktails for 2 taste judges. A Head Judge oversees all these judges but does not score. Competitors must use the provided compulsory coffee(s) and alcohol. Competitors will choose from 2 or more compulsory coffees in a blind tasting. Competitors will randomly select their primary alcohol (Gin, Whiskey, Rum) by rolling a dice, picking a card, or spinning a wheel! Competitors may bring their own wares, if they would like. Hosts will have a small variety of manual brewing devices, filter media, and kettle(s), if competitors would like something specific they will need to bring their own.
• Hosted at Messenger Grand, 1624 Grand Blvd / Kansas City, MO 64108
• View the full rules and regulations here.

 Register for Good Spirits

Roasters Preliminary

• Each Roaster Prelim will host 6-12 competitors. The Top 3 competitors from each Prelim receive a reserved spot at one of the CoffeeChamps Qualifying Competitions.
• For the 2024 season, U.S. Roaster Prelims competitors will pick up in person or be shipped 20 pounds of compulsory green coffee, they will roast it, and bring 2lbs to their Prelim. Their coffee will first be judged in a blind tasting. Competitors will give a short presentation on their coffee to their panel of judges, then serve their compulsory roasted coffee to the CoffeeChamps audience and attendees! Compulsory green coffee will be shipped to competitors 2-3 weeks prior to the competition. No substitutions are allowed. The registered competitor must be the one to roast and present the coffee. Any substitutions will result in disqualification.
• Hosted at The Roasterie Factory, 1204 W. 27th Street / Kansas City, MO 64108
• View the full rules and regulations here.

 Register for US Roasters