We Heart AeroPress

From left, Tibor, Jeff, and Wille at the 2013 World AeroPress Championship. (Photo by Abigail Varney)

What’s up with Belgium, huh? What’s in the water over there? Something’s happening in that country that’s producing a slew ”ok, well, two, at least ”of folks who can AeroPress like no one else.

The World AeroPress Championship has been an independent grassroots effort every year since it started in 2008.
The World AeroPress Championship has been an independent grassroots effort every year since it started in 2008.

For the third year in a row, Belgium produced the winner of the World AeroPress Championship, held May 24 in Melbourne, Australia. This year, and in 2010, the victor was Jeff Verelle of Caffenation in, you guessed it, Belgium. In 2011, Charlene Debuysere of Belgium won the title. But Jeff was back ”maybe because the prize package was so incredible! Among a host of prizes including a Vario-W grinder from Baratza, Jeff won the opportunity to have a quote on AeroPress packaging! That’s pretty effing cool!

Five Senses Coffee in Melbourne hosted the party at the Australian Barista Academy on May 24, where chief organizer Tim Varney once again presided over a tremendous event. Under his leadership, the World AeroPress Championship has become bigger and badderer every year.

Big congratulations to second-place winner Wille Yli-Luoma of Heart Roasters in Portland, Ore., and third-place winner Tibot Várady of Espresso Embassy in Hungary. This competition gets tougher every year!

From left, Tibor, Jeff, and Wille at the 2013 World AeroPress Championship. (Photo by Abigail Varney)
From left, Tibor, Jeff, and Wille at the 2013 World AeroPress Championship. (Photo by Abigail Varney)
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.