The Golden Bean 2013 - Coffee Roaster Competition

[sidewayss]

Tried calling them and left a message.

Has anyone got their coffee bags?

Received mine with the Cafe Culture magazine, but no notification of what code to put on the bags so they can identify where it came from.

I remembered last year we were given ID to stick on the bags. None was received thus far.

[Kev_Chilvers]

Still time for Home Roaster Entries... I think Andy has some news to share about how these entries will be appraised and more importantly who will be judging them...

[lemoo]

Hmm i wonder if its too late to submit an entry form now..how long does it take for the bags to get to WA?

[sidewayss]

A number of us last year got judges feedback, which indeed was useful.

Not sure why you didn't get yours. Perhaps just overlooked. Hopefully you get yours this year.

[malliemcg]

Just wondering if feedback will be provided on the judges thoughts/comments on blends submitted to this years comp, especially the reduced price of entry? I was to put it bluntly, a little disappointed that no feedback was able to be supplied from last years comp. (I understand that they're massively busy and I'm just a home roaster, but the desire to get produce better and better is part of my drive).

[Andy]

For sure, it might have done you a favour... I know from past years judging that many coffees are over fresh and while the crema is bountiful during extraction it has dissipated by the time the espresso gets to the judges table. A well settled blend should be fine with an additional week rest.

Keep a few shots for yourself so you can try it on the same day the judges are... gives you a good idea of how finicky it was to dial-in and how it performed in the cup given the same rest time.

Good luck!

[fatboy_1999]

Ah. Thanks for that Andy.
As it turns out, the different date does not matter to me as we will be away for a week from this Friday, so the weekend just gone was when I had to do my roasting anyway.
Perhaps 1 week earlier than I wanted, but then again, perhaps it will be a positive for this blend. WHO KNOWS??
Ah the wonders of roasting :-)

[Andy]

I have just heard from the organisers...
the correct closing date for the home roasting competition is:

OCTOBER 1st

Please ignore other dates on the entry form.

[fatboy_1999]

Just an FYI for anyone thinking of entering the Home Roasting category;
The forms have been adapted from the standard commercial entry form and had some adjustments made. There are a couple of areas which have slightly contradicting information.

(edit by Andy)
The closing date is October 1st

[Andy]

I've entered too... but have a dilemma. I expect that the judges will not like my preferred espresso roasts (which are bassy, low acid... very old-fashioned and not contemporary). Any advice? Roast something that I think the judges might prefer, or send in something that I like?

I vote for the later, send something you like.

Last year in the commercial categories I entered Fiefy's Barista and Fiefy's Organic, are both something I offer on the website and Fiefy sells to her customers everyday. Neither would be considered as "contemporary" yet they scored high enough to be the overall winner!

Be true to what you like and there is a fair chance that if it's good, at least some of the judges will agree.

Thankfully there is no single coffee style that's a gimme for a win and due to the multiple judging levels good coffee does do well in this competition.

I think I'll have a go this year. Probably with a recent blend which seemed to go OK. It's a bit of fun and not overly pricey this year. Well done to those who had a hand in making it more accessible.

I made the suggestion but it was really great that the Golden Bean stepped-up and subsidised the home roasting entries. Their costs are high and I expect more than the $25 fee so I hope we return the support and have even more CS'rs having a crack at it this year.

[fatboy_1999]

I think I'll have a go this year. Probably with a recent blend which seemed to go OK. It's a bit of fun and not overly pricey this year. Well done to those who had a hand in making it more accessible.

[kwantfm]

You're totally right... I don't have any idea what the judges prefer... just have a sense that they won't like what I like (how negative is that??).

I do feel like I'm the prawn cocktail of home roasters though (with lots of dill on top). Not after a gong, but am keen for feedback.

Cheers,
Terence

[chokkidog]

Do you have any idea of 'what the judges might prefer' ?

Unless you know which judges will be tasting your entry and what their preferences are then you are
just taking a guess.

Are you after a gong…….. or professional, industry standard feed back on the roasts that you like?
And don't underestimate the appeal of what you call 'old-fashioned'.

A well crafted roast and blend, or SO, will do well almost anywhere.

P.S. A hint would be to look back at the results from last year and use that to form your ideas.

Good luck! :-)

[kwantfm]

I've entered too... but have a dilemma. I expect that the judges will not like my preferred espresso roasts (which are bassy, low acid... very old-fashioned and not contemporary). Any advice? Roast something that I think the judges might prefer, or send in something that I like?

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Goner,

I shamelessly 'adapted' this blend from bits of stuff suggested here (KJM blend and Bull Elephant Blend)......it's what I think suits my palate and claim zero IP over it...others may not like it at all, but are welcome to have a go and do with it what they wish.

Although the reverse psychology line is worth considering for next year. I might suggest taking my Robusta into rolling second crack, letting it go for another 2 minutes, bagging it while hot and sending it off to the judges.

Cheers