NERBC ”Last Regional before the USBC!

Tomorrow will be a momentous day ”the start of the final Regional Barista Competition (RBC) of 2011, leading up to the United States Barista Championship (USBC) in Houston April 28 “May 1!

I won’t say we saved the best for last with the Northeast Regional Barista Competition (NERBC) ”set to kick off tomorrow, Friday, April 8, at Milk Studios in New York City ”because the five other regionals of this year have been exciting, talent-charged events, every one of ’em. But I can promise the NERBC will not disappoint. Some of the very best baristas in the Northeast Region will be assembled in New York to kick some serious espresso butt, and throwdown at some killer parties, too.

Sam Penix of Everyman Espresso. This dude is one of the competitors signed up for tomorrow's NERBC. This is how the ROLL in NYC! Photo courtesy of Anne Nylander.

In case you were wondering, the Northeast Region welcomes baristas from Ohio, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maryland (whew, that’s a lot!). Here’s the star-studded line-up:

Daniel Shannon, Crespella

Ankeen McGuire, Think Coffee LLC

Kendra Sledzinski, Spruce Street Espresso

Brandon Duff, RBC NYC

Wiggles Peters, Irving Farm

Yong Gao, fete coffee

Chris Ganger, The Ithaca Coffee Company

Sam Penix, Everyman Espresso

Les Stoneham, Espresso Guild

Mike Jones, Third Rail Coffee

Mike Morgenstern, Joe

Courtney Robinson, Espresso Guild

Faith W, Muggswigz Coffee and Tea co.

Brian Gelletly, Ultimo Coffee

Charrow Charrow, Joe Cafe

Benjamin Turiano, Joe Bean Roasters

William Monroe, Seven Stars Bakery

Samuel Lewontin, World Bean & Why Not? Coffee

Ashley Gardner, Seven Stars Bakery

Jillian Roholt, Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co

Joe Palozzi, Kobricks Coffee

Kyle Bellinger, Espresso NEAT

Queenie Folk, Dean & Deluca

(To learn more about these competitors, go HERE to see photos and bios!)

And let’s not forget that the Northeast Regional Brewers Cup competition will also take place throughout this weekend! The winner of the Northeast Brewers Cup will ”along with the NERBC champ ” travel to Houston at the end of the month to represent their region at the U.S. Brewer’s Cup Championship and the USBC!

This entire event is being very graciously hosted by Dallis Bros. Coffee ”thanks, Dallis Bros! Dallis Bros. has all kinds of fun stuff planned for the weekend, including classes taught by the folks on its awesome staff, a pop-up cafe at Milk Studios, and a 4th Machine, of course! Check out all the great activities planned for this weekend of coffee mania HERE!

And what about the parties, you ask? NYC’s got you covered on that front, too…

Tomorrow night (Friday, April 8): BGA Party! Head to Everyman Espresso, 136 E. 13th St., between 3rd and 4th Aves. 8 “11 p.m.

Saturday night (April 9): NYC Coffee People Party! Hosted by Dallis Bros., Joe, Grumpy, Gimme! and Third Rail Coffee: Held at the the Highline Loft, 508 West 26th St., 5th Floor. 8 p.m. to midnight

Man, what a weekend it’s gonna be! Even if you’re not in New York, though, you can take part in the action by watching it all go down live… pretty cool, huh? Just hit the USBC webpage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to watch all the action!

SCHEDULE! (this is East Coast time, people)

Friday

NERBC & NE Brewers Cup Round 1: 12 “5 p.m.

Saturday

NERBC & NE Brewers Cup Round 1 continued: 11 a.m. “5 p.m.

Announce finalists of NERBC & NE Brewers Cup: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday

NERBC & NE Brewers Cup Final Round: 10:30 a.m. “1 p.m.

Awards ceremony: 1:30p.m.

 

About Sarah 929 Articles
Sarah Allen (she/her) is co-founder and editor of Barista Magazine, the international trade magazine for coffee professionals. A passionate advocate for baristas, quality, and the coffee community, Sarah has traveled widely to research stories, interact with readers, and present on a variety of topics affecting specialty coffee. She also loves animals, swimming, ice cream, and living in Portland, Oregon.