Appendix E-J

Back in March the United States Barista Championship took place with Intelligentsia’s Mike Phillips as the champeen and 3 other Intelli baristas placing in the top 5. That is a fairly good showing, and we’re proud to brew Intelligentsia’s beans.

On Thursday (April 16), Mr. Phillips will take his US title to Hotlanta, GA and compete in the World Barista Championship along with representatives from 50 other countries. Here are the folks I am most intrigued by & the reason behind my intrigue:

• Mike Phillips (USA)- He works for our roaster and talks like he should host the most interesting show on PBS.
• Flor De Maria Gochez (El Salvador)- My favorite coffee of 2008 was from El Salvador. Delicious things win points with me.
• Oleksandr Khadzhy (Ukraine)- I just finished reading Everything Is Illuminated…easily the most heartbreaking piece of literature I have ever ingested. It takes place in the Ukraine.
• Melanie D’Lores Nunes (Belgium)- Everyday Joe’s is located in Fort Collins, CO – home to the New Belgium Brewing Company and the delicious Olive Street Belgian Bakery.
• Gwilym Davies (UK)- The man has a nicely maintained beard and that is something I respect/practice.

The Championship runs through Sunday, and the whole dealy-do can be watched online for free below:

FURTHER:

• World Barista Championship official site
• United States Barista Championship official site

Popularity: 47% [?]

This past weekend, I was glued to my computer for two reasons: a) Phish got back together and I was watching the setlists and b) I was watching the United States Barista Championships.

When the findals rolled around on Sunday, Intelligentsia Coffee was well represented. At Everyday Joe’s we brew the beans roasted by Intelligentsia. We brew them with extreme care and love and sometimes an overarching feeling of elation. 4 of the 6 finalists were from Intelligentsia.

Those finalists included our sales rep Nick Griffith, who was lovingly embraced by his 4-year-old daughter during his post-routine interview. His efforts were enough to capture second place. First place was taken by Mike Phillips, also of Intelligentsia. Listening to Mike talk about his beans and concoctions was like listening to a professor whose class you enjoy. I felt like I should have been watching a really good show on PBS about the science of coffee and drink building right after Bob Ross taught me how to paint. Mr. Phillips will compete at the world championships in Atlanta in April.

Coming in third was Scott Lucey of Alterra. We watched Scott compete in & win the Great Lakes Regional in Chicago. His sense of humor makes you want to hug him.

Intelligentsia also took 4th (Ryan Wilbur) and 5th (Devin Peede). Sixth place is represented by Mark Marquard of Kaldi’s Coffee in St. Louis.

The top 3 in picture form (L to R: Griffith, Phillips, Lucey):

I’d like to point out that Mike Phillips has a beard. I’d also like to theorize that the beard probably willed him to victory.

If video is ever posted of this competition, I will find it and I will post it here. Or perhaps you’ll find it and let me know.

Further:

• Intelligentsia Official Site
• Alterra Official Site
• Kaldi’s Official Site
• USBC 2009 Official Site
• World Barista Championships Official Site
• A t-shirt concerning the power of the beard

Popularity: 29% [?]