Australia’s Matt Perger wins World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship

Australia’s Matt Perger has been named the world’s best coffee cocktail maker, at the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championships, that took place at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo from 15 – 18 May 2014. Perger impressed the judges with his stellar performance that required him to make two Irish Coffees, and two original coffee cocktails. “It was really unexpected and obviously really exciting,” said Perger. “As always the competition on the world stage was really tight and it was impossible to predict the judges decision.” The recipe for his signature coffee cocktail was inspired by Christmas cake, with a mix of Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Grand Marnier, Morris of Rutherglen Muscat and double espresso roasted by Sensory Lab. The drink was served in a glass rimmed with cinnamon icing. Perger is no stranger to the coffee competition scene, as a two-time Australia Barista Champion (2011 and 2013), World Brewers Cup Champion (2012), and Runner-up at the World Barista Championship (2013). Perger competed in front of a huge crowd of coffee lovers, as thousands of visitors attended the Melbourne International Coffee Expo. The event is Australia’s largest coffee-dedicated event, welcoming over 120 exhibitors featuring the latest in coffee beans, technology, skills and more. The Melbourne International Coffee Expo was also host to the World Latte Art Championship. The winner was Germany’s Christian Ullrich. Italy’s Chiara Bergonzi won second place and Hungary’s Edit Juhasz won third place. The expo also hosted the World Cup Tasters Championship over the weekend, where competitors try to identify the odd coffee out of groups of three in a timed competition. Taiwan’s Pang-Yu Liu won the competition. United State’s Amanda Juris won second place. Finland’s Panu Reinikainen Yoeri Joosten won third place.