Step 1: AeroPress, Step 2: ???, Step 3: Profit!

Even if you don’t get the South Park reference in the title of this post, you might be intrigued by the lists of prizes that the winners of the U.S. and World AeroPress Championships received last weekend at SCAA 2012. Despite a good deal of overlap there are some interesting differences. And yes, throughout this post I’ll be capitalizing the “P” in “AeroPress” out of Pure resPect for the Product.

Let’s start with the USAC. This year’s champion, Jay Caragay, is apparently entitled to the following (in addition to eternal fame and glory):

+ Origin trip to Guatemala provided by Onyx Coffee

+ Gold DISK for AeroPress provided by Able Brewing

+ Vario-W grinder provided by Baratza

+ AeroPress trophy provided by Aerobie (see image of last year’s trophies above)

+ Signed copy of Coffee by Tim Wendelboe

+ 12-month subscription to Barista Magazine by Barista Magazine

+ Competition spot in the 2012 World AeroPress Championships

Moving on, here’s what the 2012 WAC champion, Charlene De Buysere, took home:

+ A ticket to the Nordic Barista Cup 2012 in Copenhagen in August by Nordic Barista Cup

+ Her own quotation featured on the next AeroPress packaging by Aerobie

+ Gold DISK for AeroPress provided by Able Brewing

+ Vario-W grinder provided by Baratza

+ AeroPress trophy presented by Alan Adler from Aerobie

+ Signed copy of Coffee by Tim Wendelboe

+ 12-month subscription to Barista Magazine by Barista Magazine

+ A super awesome t-shirt from Barista Magazine

No offense to the organizers of the Nordic Barista Cup or Alan Adler, but Jay's origin trip sounds great! I’d be thrilled to experience something similar. Otherwise, the gold-plated AeroPress filter stands out for pure blingy awesomeness. I’d hang it from my Chevy’s rear-view mirror. The quotation I could do without. I mean, last I checked the AeroPress box already had an infomercial-esque feel to it with all sorts of bold claims splashed across its panels, so I’m not sure I’d want to add to the hype. Still, sweet loot overall!

I know we have a few Boston-area members here who might consider attending SCAA 2013. Anyone interested in officially getting their Press on?