Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations of Competition

Event Format

The competition is a multi-round, elimination tournament.
In each round, two or more competitors will brew coffee simultaneously, using an AeroPress Coffee Maker.
In case the competitors are 36 the rounds will be conducted as follows: 4ppl x 9rnds, 3ppl x 3rnds, 3ppl x 1rnd.
In case the competitors are 27 the rounds will be conducted as follows: 3ppl x 9rnds, 3ppl x 3rnds, 3ppl x 1rnd.
Competitors have five minutes for the complete process of preparing, brewing, and presenting their coffee.
Post-brewing, the coffees are to be presented in identical vessels to a panel of judges.
Judges will conduct a blind taste-based evaluation of each coffee, making a private assessment to determine the best brew.
On a synchronised count of three, judges will simultaneously point to their preferred coffee.
The winner of each round advances to the next stage, while the other competitors are eliminated.

Brewer Specifications and Restrictions

Competitors must use a genuine AeroPress Original or AeroPress Clear.
All main components of the AeroPress, the chamber, the plunger, and the original filter cap or Flow Control Filter Cap, must be used.
Competitors may use the Flow Control Filter Cap instead of the original filter cap. The Flow Control Filter Cap must be a genuine AeroPress product, and not an aftermarket or off brand version.
Other versions of AeroPress Coffee Makers, including but not limited to Go, XL, and Premium, are not permitted in the competition.
Competitors may use World AeroPress Championship-issued trophies, and custom-painted AeroPress brewers, provided they are made from an unaltered and genuine AeroPress Original or Clear.
No other coffee brewer is permitted for use in any aspect of competition. This includes, but is not limited to, brewing methods such as French presses, pour-overs, zero bypass brewers, syphons, or any other alternative brewing devices.

Filter Use and Guidelines

Any type or brand of filter is permissible, as long as it does not replace the AeroPress filter cap.
Filters can be made of paper, metal, cloth, or any other material, provided it is neutral in taste and does not impart flavour to the brewed coffee.
The filter must fit inside the filter cap or Flow Control Filter Cap when it is affixed to the chamber, and simultaneously be the primary mechanism by which the brewed coffee is filtered.

Brewing Accessories and Tools

Accessories that aid in coffee brewing, such as grinders, kettles, decanters, scales, stirrers, spoons, timers, thermometers, brewer stands, sifters, air blowers, RDT (Ross Droplet Technique) tools, WDT (Weiss Distribution Technique) tools, chilling rocks (frosty balls), and water dispersion aids are allowed for use in competition.
All accessories must comply with the rules specifically stipulated under "Brewer Specifications and Restrictions" and may not contravene any other rules of the competition.

Brewing Regulations

Only ground coffee and water are permitted as ingredients.
The coffee sponsor iHeart Roasters has specified and provided a competition coffee, it is the only coffee that may be used.
The water sponsor L’ Aquaforce will provide a competition water following the SCA standards which will be available for the competitors to use on the day of the competition.
A maximum of 18g of ground coffee is allowed in each recipe.
Competitors are required to prepare a minimum of 150g of brewed coffee.
Competitors may add bypass water of any temperature to their brewed coffee.
Brewed coffee not presented within the 5-minute time limit will not be evaluated.

Water Regulations

Although a competition water will be provided, competitors may bring their own water to use in their recipe.
The water must taste “neutral” and not be noticeably sweetened or adulterated.
The Technical Judge will taste the water and may disallow its use if deemed inappropriately sweetened.
The use of ice in recipes and any temperature water for bypassing is permitted.
The same standards applied to brewing water also apply to both ice and bypass water.

Judging Process

Each round is judged using the blind cupping technique (spoon, slurp, spit).
Competitors' names are marked on the underside of the cups to remain hidden.
There is no formal scoresheet. Judges simply determine their preferred choice of coffee.
Each judge arrives at their conclusion independently, without discussion with fellow judges.
On the count of three, judges point simultaneously, confidently, and definitively at their chosen cup.
The MC reveals the round winner by lifting the winning cup.
In case of a tie, with all judges pointing at different cups, a predetermined Head Judge will taste all samples and decide the winner. This decision is final.

Pre-Competition Preparation

Before stage time, competitors may preheat brewing water, sort through and pick coffee beans, weigh out coffee doses, assemble the brewer, and place the filter into the filter cap.

Set Up Time (5mins)

Once on stage, but before competition time starts, competitors will have 5 minutes to get set up.
Competitors may;

Competition Time (5mins)

World Final Eligibility

In the event where a National Champion is unable to travel, or unable to obtain a visa to travel to the World Final event, eligibility passes to the 2nd place winner of that national competition.
If the 2nd place winner cannot attend, eligibility passes to the 3rd place winner.
Eligibility does not pass any further than this, nor can it be transferred to any other person.
Eligibility does not ‘roll over’ to any future seasons.

No Winner Able to Travel

In the event that 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are all unable to travel to the World Final event, the Host will award the National Champion a consolation cash prize.
The prize must be equal to at least 50% of the estimated travel costs that would have been incurred for attending the World Final event. For example:

Hotel accommodation – 3 nights @ $200/night = $600

Travel – Return flights from Melbourne = $3,000

Total = $3,600

Cash prize @ 50% value = $1,800

The value of the prize must be verified and approved by the World AeroPress Championship.
The cash prize must be paid by cash or bank transfer, directly to the winner, within 7 days of the value being approved.
This consolation prize is a last resort only. National Champions are expected to take part in the World Final, and Hosts are expected to send them there.

Procedure for Complaints and Disputes

Any complaints or disputes at a Regional or National level should be directed to the Host of the event.
If unresolved, or for complaints at the World Final level, a clear and succinct explanation of the issue should be sent to hello@aero.press
Complaints via social media comments or direct messages will not be addressed.