2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

[GrindOnDemand]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

I dont like the steam wand control of the Nuova Simonellis. Was seriously considering one for the shop but couldnt get use to the ON or OFF flip switch of the NS.

Like all machinery, just a matter of familiarising yourself matey

Ive had my NS Mac 2000v (affectionately known as "Sizzling Simmo" - yeah, yeah, the HX groups need a good flush before extraction to return to optimal temp ... just to pre-empt the flood of derogatory comments from the LM fanatics out there!) for the past 5 years, & still love it.

I like the lever switch of the steam wand - sure, it produces a fairly powerful regulated stream of steam that I cant control, but thats honed my texturing over the years because I have to be on the ball.

Dunno why, but NS decided last year to phase out the Mac - flip-side is that mines now a collectors item .

The Aurelia is a sexy looking beast (blue neon lights happening, with computerised digital read-outs), & Im with Jasons (Pioneer Roaster) sentiments above ... bring on the classy HXs to the WBC! A 2 group NS Aurelia is getting pretty darn close cost-wise to a LM anyway.

Hope this hasnt re-sparked the whole HX versus dual-boiler debate ... :

BTW, Ive been told that the Aurelia is basically a Mac, but with groovier look & saturated heads.

hmmm, saturated heads ... now that may be a topical discussion to debate the relative merits, rather than pitching HXs against dual-boilers :-?

Cheers,
Tony

(... no, Im not sponsored in any shape or manner by Nuova Simonelli ;D Wish I were though!)

P.S. Sunbeam Andy? Maybe the techs are madly working on a thermoblock 2 group for the 2009 round.

[TC]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

P.S. Sunbeam Andy?  Maybe the techs are madly working on a thermoblock 2 group for the 2009 round.

Yes, I believe that its in the testing phase now. 2 x 6910 and some packing tape ;D

[yeeza]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

P.S. Sunbeam Andy?  Maybe the techs are madly working on a thermoblock 2 group for the 2009 round.

Yes, I believe that its in the testing phase now. 2 x 6910 and some packing tape  ;D

;D ;D Thats a lot of thermoblocks!!!

[GrindOnDemand]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

P.S. Sunbeam Andy?  Maybe the techs are madly working on a thermoblock 2 group for the 2009 round.

Yes, I believe that its in the testing phase now. 2 x 6910 and some packing tape  ;D

Nice one Chris ;D

[sjames]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

I asked David Makin the other day if hed heard any hints from his connections.
He said that nobody knows yet, and any speculation is just that - speculation.
He also pointed out that if its a new espresso machine sponsor, it will be interesting getting practice time on one because, unless its LM or one of the other more popular manufacturers, there wont be enough to go around, and it will be ages before the manufacturer can build enough to go around the world to satisfy the demand of competing Baristas.
As for HX versus dual boiler, I love working on FB80s, but I also love the results I get from HX machines. As a competing Barista, the challenge is to use a coffee that shines in the competition equipment - dual boiler or HX.
The more interesting news will be the new rules!

Cheers,
Simon.

[E-Gene]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

I wonder if they access if the manufacturer can meet a certain level of demand as a criteria.

[Wine_of_the_Bean]

Re: 2009 to 2011 official WBC sponsor Machines

Bleh, one minute before me.

[E-Gene]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

It has been announced.

Grinder sponsor

Mahlkonig K30 and Mahlkonig K30 twin


Espresso Machine Sponsor

Nuova Simonelli Aurelia

[Dimal]

Re: 2009 to 2011 official WBC sponsor Machines

What are the thoughts of experienced and some of the competing Baristi? Is this a good thing or doesnt it really matter?

Mal.

[Dennis]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

Sunbeam must have gone out of contention when they had a backlog of orders for their grinders.

Seems like a lot of the speculation was on the money.

Now, do you think theyll paint the Mahlkonig to match the Nuova?

[psaigh]

Re: 2009 to 2011 official WBC sponsor Machines

oops, accidently deleted my initial post (such a fool), so just to repeat
Grinder: Mahlkonig Vario and Twin
Machine: Nuova simenelli aurelia

[psaigh]

Re: 2009 to 2011 official WBC sponsor Machines

Well the grinder doesnt really matter as you still have the option of bringing your own, which certainly is usually the case at the upper levels of competition. I think its an interesting move though to go to doserless, and flat burr (here come the debates!). At the regional level I think some baristas who dont have the network to bring their own machinery will be slightly disadvantaged due to the fact the mahlkonigs are such a different grinder to what most people (at least in Australia) are used to, where as just about anyone can jump on to a mazzer or compak and work it out after a few minutes practise.
The machine will invariably bring up the whole Hx vs Dual Boiler debate, even though the Aurelia is a pretty tricked out Hx (i think its onboard computer has more processing power than my laptop ). My only real experience with the machine is a friend of mines cafe where they ran with an aurelia for a couple of months before replacing it with an fb80.
Best decision they ever made. Shots tasted so much richer and dinamic on the 80, and were a lot more consistant. Granted this is only one case example and Im looking forward to having a bigger play around on the nuova in the upcoming comps.

[Andy]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

Cool, I wonder if the value of my Mahlkonig GSS bag grinder just increased?

tis going to be funny at the next barista comp when the winner is the the person with the biggest team of nerdy IT dudes with laptops to tune  Nuova Simonelli Aurelia during the warm-up session.

Are we getting closer to the electronic Barista?


It would have been great if the WBC picked a manual lever machine to put the art and skill back into great coffee production.

[E-Gene]

Re: 2009-2011 WBC Sponsors Announcement

Yup, both the grinder and machine are so hi tech. Seems like the skillful baristas are going to be the ones with the IT skills.

[naked_coffee_kane]

Re: Re: 2009 to 2011 official WBC sponsor Machines

speaking of the comps, when are the state heats? And anyone know of any cafes in brisbane that have an aurelia so i can at least have a look at the machine in action?