St Ali's Matt Perger and Sensory Lab's Lachlan Ward are Australia's reigning barista and filter brew champions, and this weekend they go up against the world's best on home turf as Melbourne hosts the World Barista Championships and the World Brewers Cup. The events are part of the second Melbourne International Coffee Expo at Melbourne Showgrounds, and it will be the first time they have been held in Australia. ''It's an honour to represent your country at home,'' Perger says. ''Everyone tries to do it.'' The coolest coffee gadget at the expo is likely to be the Alpha Dominche Steampunk, which is the latest in filter brewing technology. There is only one of the $16,995 machines in the country. Importer Craig Simon (a former Australian barista champ), of Think Tank Coffee, will demonstrate the Steampunk, and says people will be able to try the coffee and even have a go at brewing it themselves.
Melbourne International Coffee Expo, May 23-26, Melbourne Showgrounds, public days May 25 and 26. See internationalcoffeeexpo.com
Matt Holden
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