The United States Barista Championship (USBC) is a regional and national competition designed to highlight the craft of the barista and espresso-based beverage production. The annual competition cycle consists of 6 regional events that lead up to the US Barista Championship. The winner of each competition will have proven their professionalism, passion and skill through various criteria as outlined in the USBC Rules and Regulations. In a 15 minute presentation, competitors will prepare and serve three courses of espresso based beverages to a panel of four sensory judges. Two technical judges will score competitors on procedures, consistency, cleanliness and other technical details. The top six from each regional event will be granted entry into the 2012 USBC.

The National USBC Competition will take place in conjunction with the 24th annual SCAA Exposition and Symposium in Portland, Oregon April 19 – 22 2012. There are three rounds of judging at the national event: the preliminary round, the semi-finals, and the finals. Competitors who advance to the finals will compete against six of the most highly skilled baristas in the country for the title of 2012 United States Barista Champion. The winner will represent the United States at the World Barista Championship.