WBC Countdown: Barista Champion of Sweden Oskar Alvérus

OSKAR ALVERUS
BARISTA CHAMPION OF SWEDEN

@dropcoffee

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Barista Mag:  Before coffee, did you work in a different job or industry, or what did you study in school?

Oskar:  After graduating high school I went to an art and design school. I worked as a graphic designer for two years before coffee took my life over. I really think that my creative side really gets space and room when I roast coffee.

BMag:  How did you get started in coffee?

Oskar:  I started a coffee bar on a small island outside Sweden called Gotland together with my family.

Oskar-Alverus-Sweden

BMag:  What was your first amazing experience with coffee?

Oskar:  When I first had a sip of Mr. Tim Wendelboe’s Tekangu from Kenya. An amazing SL28/SL34.  Best cup ever.

BMag:  Who has been your greatest influence in coffee? Why?

Oskar: I would say my coach Alexander Ruas who pulled me in from the Italian dark roast to the Nordic way of drinking light roasted coffee. I have a lot to thank him for.

BMag:  What would you like to see change about the coffee industry/community?

Oskar:  That more restaurants start working and serving coffee with the same enthusiasm and care as they do with wine.

BMag:  Name a coffee luminary (famous person) you would like to meet, and why:

Oskar:  I would like to have a chat with James Hoffmann about his roasting philosophy.

BMag:  Name a barista you admire, and why:

Oskar:  James Hoffmann: a great thinker and a wonderful character.

BMag:  Do you have a favorite customer? If so, tell us about him or her.

Oskar:  That would be my father ”always happy, always with a new story. Too bad he never pays for his latte.

BMag:  Besides your own cafe, what cafe do you think everyone should visit?

Oskar:  The cafe at San Alberto farm in Colombia. 1500 masl, amazing view, amazing coffee.

BMag:  Which coffee producing country you would like to visit, and why?

Oskar:  I’ve been to Ethiopia once and would love to go back there. I think that country has such a great potential for producing the best coffee out there.

BMag:  What are your interests outside of coffee?

Oskar:  My girlfriend (soon-to-be wife), turtles, and fishing.

BMag:  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Oskar:  As a roaster at my company, hopefully rosting more than we do now, continuing to source the best quality that we can find and serving the best cups we can. I would like for our experience as baristas and roasters to have gotten us even further in the development of innovative approaches to serving an even greater cup of coffee.

BMag:  Is there anyone you would like to thank or who helped you prepare for the WBC?

Oskar:  My two friends and colleagues at Drop Coffee.  Big ups to Joanna and Erik.

About Sarah 936 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.