It’s finally here: the SCAA Expo and USCC competitions. There’s miles of booths to explore, hours of talks to listen to, and scores of the most talented baristas to behold. It’ll take a lotta energy to get through the whole thing. But thankfully, you’re going to be surrounded by coffee the whole way through. You won’t have to go far to find salvation in a caffeinated cuppa—here’s our rundown of who’s who and what’s what.
Espresso Parts Pop-Up
Espresso Parts brings four days of rotating brews to the people of SCAA. They’ll be using a cadre of Kalita equipment (Kalita Waves, Kalita ceramic drippers, Kalita Wave kettles) to brew and some Baratza Fortes to get their grind on. On Friday expect some brews from Revelator Coffee Company, followed by Boston Stoker on Saturday, and coffee giants Stumptown on Sunday.
Hours: Thursday/Sunday 8 am – 4 pm, Friday/Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Building C Concourse
Batdorf and Bronson
Batdorf and Bronson also have their own stand where they’ll be slinging espresso and pourovers to the caffeine-deprived (and overcaffeinated, let’s be honest, this is the weekend to go hard). Amongst chill vibes—just “doing what we love”—they’ll pull shots of their signature Dancing Goats blend using a two-group La Marzocco Linea PB, Nuova Simonelli Mythos, and Mahlkönig Peak grinder. Up front on a line-up of woodneck Chemexes and Beehouse ceramic drippers, you’ll find filters from Huila in Colombia and Sidamo in Ethiopia. Look for the iron lamppost to find your way to coffee Narnia; no Mr. Tumnus, but plenty of Dancing Goats.
Hours: Thursday/Sunday 8 am – 4 pm, Friday/Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Building C, Level 2
Summit Coffee Company
Hailing from Davidson, North Carolina, Summit Coffee is hoping to bring down home, homemade vibes to the expo. They’re sporting some choice handmade counters and original art, which only enhances the coffee experience. Not bad for a pop-up booth. For espresso, they’ll be pulling shots of their Rutas del Inca Peruvian single origin espresso and their Alpamayo blend (Brazil, Tanzania, Peru) on a La Marzocco Linea, a Mazzer Superjolly, and a Mazzer Robur E. Their impressive copper pipe pourover stand features four Kalita Waves and they’ll be offering a rotation of coffees from Ethiopia, Burundi, and Sumatra.
Hours: Thursday/Sunday 8 am – 4 pm, Friday/Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Building C Concourse
Royal Cup/H. C. Valentine
If nitro cold brew is your thing, then boy are you in luck. Birmingham-based H. C. Valentine has brought their A-game and a former Guinness tap to provide smooth, refreshing nitro (and non-nitro) cold brew. Steeped for 20 hours overnight, their Aztec Blend (Central and South American coffees) nitro is completely devoid of acidity and feels like a chocolate and rum raisin party in your mouth. Also on offer are different single origin coffees every day, being served up on Chemexes perched atop Hario VST scales and lovingly brewed via the help of Hario gooseneck kettles and a Bunn mill grinder. Royal Cup is also providing additional caffeination through a range of teas.
Hours: Thursday/Sunday 8 am – 4 pm, Friday/Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Building C, Level 2
Revelator Coffee Company
Fellow B-ham dwellers Revelator Coffee Company, who also have locations in Atlanta, have brought their sleek set-up along. The white power-coated Slayer two-group, featuring white oak handles and paddles, dominates the booth alongside its handsome, matching white Mazzer Robur. It’s definitely got some ‘grammable vibes, especially around 1 pm each day when they break out their signature Cold Brew Fizz: a concoction of cold brew and lemon creme. Every day they’ll offer their La Union Colombian espresso and three of their pourovers (Burundi, Peru, Tanzania) throughout the weekend.
Hours: Thursday/Sunday 8 am – 4 pm, Friday/Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Building C, Level 2
Fair Trade USA
Upstairs next to a busy conference room, the long Fair Trade USA bar is keeping people perky with a great offering of interesting coffees. All weekend they’ll be brewing up a storm using their Curtis batch brewers, Chemexes, Mahlkönig Kenya grinder, and Baratza Forte grinder. Even though they’re super busy at times, they’ll take the time to tell you the stories about their coffees. The Sumatran is of particular interest—produced by a women’s co-op who banded together following civil war to support the widows and orphans left behind. For knowledgeable conversation and great stories, check out this booth throughout the weekend to try all the coffees.
Hours: Thursday/Sunday 8 am – 4 pm, Friday/Saturday 8 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Building C, Level 3
Buddy Brew
It’s hard not to like a family-run company that’s named after their beloved dog. Buddy Brew, named after their yellow lab cross, is based in Tampa, FL and aims to bring vibes of Buddy’s friendship, loyalty, and love to the SCAA. Their booth is a combo of the super-modern Modbar set-up and a quirky art installation from local Tampa artist Ron Francis. Their featured coffees throughout the expo will include Cafe Import’s Congo coffee, an exciting and (to many people) new origin to try. Their espressos will be like night and day: on the one hand, a punchy Ethiopian; on the other, their modern take on dark Cuban espresso (which was also used in an award-winning craft beer).
Hours: Friday/Saturday 8 am – 12:30 pm, Sunday 8:30am – 12:30 pm
Where: Building B, Level 4
Starbucks Reserve
Starbucks is pulling out all the stops at their booth, featuring an impressive line-up of brewers and origins. It’s a no-espresso zone here. They’ll have five—count ‘em, FIVE—origins to satisfy your thirsts: Congo, West Java, East Timor, and Sumatra; on cold brew, Malawi will hold its own. You’ll have a choice of brew methods ranging from siphon to Clover. It’s enough to boggle the mind, and it’s sure to be busy, but if you want to feel spoiled for choice, this will be your go-to stand this weekend.
Hours: Friday 8 am – 2 pm, Saturday 8 am – 12:30 pm, Sunday 8:30am – 12:30 pm
Where: Building B, Level 4
Kate Beard is a Sprudge staff writer based in London. Read more Kate Beard on Sprudge.
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