Matt Perger, 2014 World Coffee In Good Spirits Champion

The 2014 World Coffee In Good Spirits Championships pitted champion baristas from around the world against each other to create the most delicious, inventive combinations of coffee and alcohol. From an overall field of 17 competitors, six finalists advanced to the rarified air of Finals Sunday. From that field of six, Matt Perger of St Ali Family emerged victorious. This is the second World Championship for Mr. Perger, who also won the 2012 World Brewers Cup. Mr. Perger actually competed in two events this weekend, also taking second place in the Australian Barista Championship.

As World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion, Perger wins a trip Rimini for the 2014 World of Coffee event. He also wins a trip to Sumatra for DC Campus by Dalla Corte. He also won a Breville “The Boss” Blender, liqueur from Grand Marnier, Mahlkönig Vario Grinder and a trip to China courtesy of Jas Bleu Coffee Expert.

We’ve got photos of Perger’s winning routine, and recipes for his winning drinks.

Matthew Perger (St. Ali & Sensory Lab) Australia

“Christmas Cake”

[box]30g “Butter Washed” Kraken Black Spiced Rum
10g Grand Marnier
20g Morris of Rutherglen Muscat
Sensory Lab ‘Steadfast’ double espresso

“Icing”
Icing sugar
Cinnamon
Milk

Combine alcohol ingredients in steaming jug
“Bake” cake by putting a fiery hot tamper (or any metal instrument) into the jug then light on fire–this reduces the alcohol while caramelizing the sugars.
Quench your tamper in a metal bowl while putting a plate over the jug to extinguish the flames–Pro Tip–wear a fire glove. Safety First!
Add in your espresso.
Make glaze by stirring together ingredients.
Dip the rims of your glasses into the glaze.
Pour the beverage.
Cheers and enjoy.
Have a warm cloth nearby to wipe your lips![/box]

Irish Coffee

[box] 8g Balvenie Doublewood 12yr Scotch
20g Bushmills Irish whiskey
100g water
Sensory Lab ‘Steadfast’ double espresso
10g treacle dissolved in 18g water

Cream:
Shulz Organic unhomogenised pure cream (milked Thursday), 30 seconds shaken with 10 ice cubes.
Let rest 15 mins.[/box]

Here’s the complete standings from Finals Sunday at World Coffee In Good Spirits.

Champion: Matthew Perger, Australia
2nd: Martin Hudák, Slovakia
3rd: George Koustoumpardis, Greece
4th: Madeleine Solheim Johnsen, Norway
5th: Young Jin Kim, South Korea
6th: Francesco Corona, Italy

Sprudge.com’s coverage of World Coffee In Good Spirits Championship is made possible by direct support from our friends and partners at Dalla Corte, whose DC Pro espresso machine anchors the 2014 WCIGS and 2014 World Latte Art Championship. Our coverage is produced in partnership with World Coffee Events, the international organization that stages these competitions each year.