Beanstock Coffee Festival returns for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
BY VASILEIA FANARIOTI
BARISTA MAGAZINE
Photos courtesy of Beanstock
After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Beanstock Coffee Festival, Canada’s leading independent festival of third-wave coffee, is finally returning to Vancouver, B.C., August 20–21.
As the world continues to adapt to the new normal, many events and festivals that we used to take for granted have either been canceled or postponed indefinitely. However, it seems that the coffee community is determined to persevere through these tough times—and in Canada, Beanstock is leading the charge.
The festival is produced by specialty green-coffee importer Mountain Coffee and presented by Breville Canada in partnership with the Canadian chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and Danone Silk plant-based products. For two days, the Roundhouse Community Center in Vancouver’s Yaletown district will be transformed into a coffee lover’s paradise, with the top roasters from around the country serving up exquisite coffees for attendees throughout the weekend.
What to expect at Beanstock Vancouver 2022
First held in 2017, Beanstock is Canada’s premier independent coffee festival. Featuring some of the country’s top roasters, retailers, producers, and farmers, Beanstock celebrates the specialty-coffee movement and shines a light on more sustainable and innovative coffee practices. With a focus on education and conversation, Beanstock offers attendees the chance to sample some of the best coffee around, participate in interactive demonstrations, and learn more about the industry.
Here’s a sneak peek of some Beanstock highlights:
— A home brewing demo, presented by Breville Canada, that offers hands-on learning experience from professional baristas on how to brew the perfect cup of coffee at home.
— An up-close look at the latest in home brewing equipment so you can take your coffee game to the next level.
— The Greenhouse Stage, where guests can expect in-depth conversations about coffee production, origins, and sustainability.
—A Sensory Station by Mountain Coffee, where visitors can learn more about the sensory science of specialty coffee.
—A vibrant marketplace, an outdoor lounge, food trucks, and a cold brewery sampling station, all adding to the festival fun!
Visitors will also have the chance to watch the pros in action at the Canadian National Barista Championship finals, where Canada’s representative for the World Barista Championship will be chosen.
In addition to daytime festivities, Beanstock, Absolut, and Kahlua will be teaming up to provide attendees with a unique cold-brew-infused cocktail experience on both days from 5 to 7 p.m. Happy hour at its finest!
“We are very grateful and excited to be able to bring everyone together again—roasters, baristas, and the coffee community—after a tough couple of years,” says Adrian Griffin, CEO of specialty importer Mountain Coffee. “In recent years, third-wave coffee—a movement towards high-quality, artisanal, and fair trade alternatives—has skyrocketed, and this event allows us to pay homage to specialty-coffee roasters driving the movement while also providing a roaster roundtable exploring topics such as food science, regenerative agriculture, and sustainably grown coffee. We are excited for Vancouver’s coffee-loving community to reconnect, discover, and learn more about specialty coffee.”
Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or just looking for a unique festival experience, Beanstock Coffee Festival promises to deliver. Tickets are available now, so be sure to snag yours before they’re gone!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vasileia Fanarioti (she/her) is a senior online correspondent for Barista Magazine, and a freelance copywriter and editor with a primary focus on the coffee niche. She has also been a volunteer copywriter for the I’M NOT A BARISTA NPO, providing content to help educate people about baristas and their work. You can follow her adventures at thewanderingbean.net.
