Alterra Barista Trainer Wins the GLRBC 2009
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Scott Lucey, has been named winner of the 2009 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition (GLRBC)!
Scott traveled to Chicago last weekend (along with fellow Alterra baristas Colin Whitcomb and Sam Brown) to compete for the title of Great Lakes Regional Barista Champion during Coffee Fest Chicago at Navy Pier. The GLRBC is the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s regional competition for coffee professionals from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota. The event takes place annually and brings the best and brightest baristas together to prepare 12 espresso drinks for 4 judges in under 15 minutes.
Scott presented a menu of drinks featuring organic micro-lot Colombian coffee from farmer Nelson Melo, whose entire crop was purchased by Alterra earlier this year. Mr. Melo attended the competition, following a special visit to Alterra to celebrate his exceptional coffee and a feature of his farm Finca Las Acacias on the Discovery Channel program “How Stuff Works: Coffee.” 
The unique flavor of Mr. Melo’s coffee was highlighted in Scott’s signature beverage “Liquid Swords,” a drink featuring layers of Nelson Melo espresso, cream, honey and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. Scott’s win (with the highest score of any competitor this year at 687 points) ensures him a spot to compete in the United States Barista Championship in Portland, Oregon, March 5th through 8th.
Photo credit: twitchy.org