USBC Competitor Andrew McCaslin, Palace Coffee Company

SprudgeLive’s coverage of the 2015 United States Barista Championship is made possible by direct support from Nuova Simonelli, Cafe Imports, and Bonavita.  All of SprudgeLive’s 2015 barista competition coverage is underwritten in partnership with Square and Urnex Brands. 

We’re proud to serve as official media partners of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, who produce these extraordinary events.

We reached out to each of the 2015 US Barista Championship competitors prior to their routines, to learn a bit more about them as competitors and coffee pros. We hope you enjoy these interviews!

ANDREW MCCASLIN

Company: Palace Coffee Company/Evocation Coffee Roasters
Number of years behind the bar: 9
Number of competitions: 7
2013 Brewer’s Cup: Did not place
2014 Big Central Brewer’s Cup: 4th Place
2014 BCrBC: 11th Place
2015 Big Central Brewer’s Cup: 2nd Place
2015 BCrBC: 8th Place
America’s Best Coffee House Chicago: 2nd Place
America’s Best Coffee House St. Louis: 1st Place
America’s Best Coffee House National Competition: 1st Place

Coffee: Ethiopian Guji-type heirloom

Milk: n/a

Signature Beverage: The Drink with No Name

Sage Pearls; Aeropress extraction of my coffee w/ginger shrub; Espresso extractions w/70% dark chocolate

Secret Weapons: Big Scary Dragons

Playlist: I am incredibly indecisive so Patrick Burns will put together something awesome.

Theme: Unique processing methods and roasting

Total Practice Hours: approx. 50

Coach(es): Roman and Amy Leal: They are the owner’s of Evocation Coffee Roasters. Roman is the visionary behind the roast profile for my coffee.

Shelby Easley: The incredible roaster for Evocation

Patrick Burns: My boss and the best public speaker I know.

Fashion: Murano button down; Express slacks; various ties; and Geisha in my beard.

Trivia: Nothing else.

Social Medias: @anmccan