The 2018 World AeroPress Championship Is Coming to Sydney

Sixty-one national champions will vie for the title of World AeroPress Champion in Australia on November 17 in a competition hosted by Single O.

BY CHRIS RYAN
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Cover photo by Glen Charles Lopez

If coffee competitions are on your radar to any degree, it’s likely you’ll notice an AeroPress competition taking place in your area in the next month. A flurry of regional and national AeroPress competitions—in which competitors use the cylindrical brewing device to make the tastiest cup—are taking place around the globe. In total, 140 AeroPress contests will be held in 2018 to crown the 61 national AeroPress champions.

And now, these champs know where they’ll be heading to fight for the global title: Last week, the World AeroPress Championship (W.A.C.) announced its 2018 event will be held in Sydney, Australia, on November 17, hosted by Sydney-based roaster Single O.

The World AeroPress Championship will be held in Sydney, Australia, in November.

Kershia Wong, operations coordinator for W.A.C., says the team selected Sydney because it’s an appealing fall destination. “We’ve never held our final there, and it’ll be warm! Think beautiful beaches and beer, what’s not to like?” she says.

Michelle Johnson and Marcus Boni will return as emcees after leading the 2017 World AeroPress Championship in Seoul, South Korea, which was won by Paulina Miczka of England. (Check out her recipe here.) Local DJs will add to the fun, and refreshments will include barbecue snacks from around the world and free beer from Moon Dog.

There will be at least one new wrinkle for the 2018 W.A.C.: For the first time, attendees will be able to taste competitors’ coffees, as competitors will brew their coffee on AeroPress separate from the competition for the public to try their recipes. That won’t be the only coffee on offer: Attendees will also be able to sample espressos roasted by Single O. and served on a Modbar.

At this year’s W.A.C., attendees will not only get to party together and drink free beer, but they’ll get to taste the competitors’ coffees, along with coffee roasted by the host, Single O. Photo courtesy of World AeroPress Championship.

While the World AeroPress Championship has often been held in conjunction with other global events, this year’s championship will be a standalone affair. “We’re really excited to do a standalone event this year,” says Kershia. “We wanted to keep our competition open and inclusive, and [we] see the value in having as many events as possible across the world, hence the decision to host our world final much later in the year.”

In addition to the event itself, W.A.C. is offering an all-day social affair the day before the competition. “We don’t want to reveal too much, but participants will get to experience a traditional Aussie barbecue, with a spectacular view of the ocean, along with other activities,” says Kershia. “It’s a rare opportunity to bring people from all over the world together, and we wanted to make the most out of it.”

Although the WAC is happening on its own—and not in conjunction with a worldwide coffee event like last year with the WBC—there are still a number of events and surprises scheduled for those making the trip out to Sydney. Photo by Abi Varney.

The 2018 World AeroPress Championship takes place at 3 p.m. November 17 at Commune in Sydney. Tickets are available here: The early-bird price through September 23 offers event-only tickets for AU$20 and two-day VIP passes (which includes the all-day social event) for AU$65. Kershia says it’s sure to be a great time for the global coffee community. “It’s a guaranteed day of fun, and hanging out with like-minded people!” she says. “Also, free beer.”