Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition 2010

Where: Discovery World
When: Friday, March 12th - Sunday, March 14th
Address: 500 North Harbor Drive, Milwaukee
Press Release: PDF

Alterra is honored to once again host this annual competition of the best and brightest baristas of the 5-state area!

This year the event takes place over 3 days at Milwaukee’s Discovery World Museum. Come on out to see the Great Lakes area’s (Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio) finest baristas vie for a chance to compete at the U.S. Barista Championship in Anaheim, CA this April.

What exactly does a barista competition entail?

Fifteen minutes, four cappuccinos, four shots of espresso, and four signature drinks prepared in front of a panel of judges. A strong focus is placed on presentation, cleanliness, professionalism, and of course, the quality of the drinks prepared. Find more info about regional barista competitions at usbaristachampionship.org.

We encourage every coffee enthusiast to come out and experience the fascinating world of barista competitions! Spectators at the event are welcome to step up to the “4th machine,” where fans can sample the coffees, espressos, and signature beverages being prepared by competitors. Come cheer on your favorite Alterra baristas, including the 2009 GLRBC Champ Scott Lucey as well as Colin Whitcomb, Nathan Hoida and Cody Kinart.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP for this event on our Facebook event page and be sure to invite your friends!

Join us for “Alterra Celebrates Brazil”

Attention Alterra wholesale accounts… you are invited! Please join us on March 13th for an exciting celebration of Brazilian coffee and culture. As part of the event we are excited to be having Brazilian coffee farmer Alexandre Gonzaga with us to speak about his work as well as some of the Great Lakes’ finest baristas there pulling espresso shots of Senhor Gonzagas and other single-origin, micro-lot coffees.

Sip and sample authentic Brazilian beverages and appetizers in Milwaukee’s finest Churrascaria, Sabor!

Dance to and enjoy live music from Chicago’s Luciano Antonio & Planeta Azul featuring the Passistas Samba Dancers, as well as Brazilian and world music spun by DJ Marcus Doucette (Chalice in the Palace, 88.9 RadioMilwaukee).

Don’t miss this chance to experience a slice of Brazil here in Milwaukee and a great opportunity to connect with the farmers, baristas and everyone that makes our coffee culture possible! See you there!

March Special: Breakfast Blend

Sometimes we need a little help waking up, and that’s where our Breakfast Blend comes in. The combination of light and medium-roasted coffees creates a dynamic cup with the sweet, pronounced acidity to pry open our eyes, and just enough full, smooth body to prop us up. Whether enjoyed with breakfast or while running out the door, you can always count on our Breakfast Blend to start your day off right.

Try Breakfast Blend this March and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or frac’ed coffee) in your order, and an 11” x 17” poster (upon request) complete with a full description of this coffee. (Limit one per customer, please.)

Saying Goodbye to Java Estate

After an notable career on the Alterra Coffee offerings list, the time has come for us to retire Java Estate. The pursuit of our mission to “deliver an exceptional coffee experience” means that we must occasionally say goodbye to coffees that no longer meet our standards for coffee-greatness.  As of February 2, Java Estate will no longer be available.  A couple of good recommendations for anyone looking for coffees that are similar in flavor are Brazil Traditional Dry or East Timor Maubisse - Organic/Fair Trade.

Costa Rica Campeon del Valle temporarily out

Attention Alterra wholesale customers! Our shipment of the new crop of Costa Rica Campeon del Valle has not arrived as of yet leaving us out of stock until further notice. We will be offering a replacement Costa in the interim and it should be available in the next week or so. We apologize for any inconvenience. If there are any questions please do not hesitate to call us at 1-877-273-3747. Thanks!

February Coffee Special: Café Voltaire

According to legend, the French philosopher and author Voltaire drank fifty cups of coffee per day. Had he tasted this satisfying blend of three East Indies coffees, he would have needed only twenty. Three single origin coffees from Sumatra, Sulawesi Toraja and Papua New Guinea deliver a rich and spicy cup with incredible body, low acidity and a delightful, lingering aftertaste.

Try Café Voltaire this February and enjoy 50 cents off each pound (whole bean, ground, or frac’ed coffee) in your order, and an 11" x 17" poster complete with a full description of this coffee. (Limit one per customer, please.)