Global Coffee Solutions (GCS) barista Marius Beullens flew the GCS flag at the recent Danes Grand Barista Championships with a phenomenal finals appearance.
Beullens, competing in his first barista competition, showed elegance, poise and a cool hand in his presentation of four espresso based, four milk espresso based and four black non espresso coffees.
A veteran of twelve years in the espresso industry, Beullens joined GCS from Bluestone Cafe in Sydney CBD. A high volume account in the middle of a demanding coffee market, Beullens is no stranger to living in the high-tempo coffee industry. Despite his vast espresso experience, Beullens was nervy about the task at hand in his first barista competition.
“Twelve years working in Sydney CBD put me in good stead for the pressures of the competition,” commented Beullens. “I was a little nervous on the day of the heats, though once I got through that, I was comfortable.”
Beullens used the GCS signature Volere blend for his espresso and milk espresso based coffee, a blend of AA Grade South American grown, High Altitude Rainforest Alliance Arabica beans.
Volere won a silver medal at the 2010 Sydney Royal Coffee Competition – one of Australia’s premier coffee competitions held in the highest regard by café owners and connoisseurs alike.
Close attention was paid to the non espresso based coffee where Beullens used a single origin Mexican bean with a Chemex. The Chemex brews coffee using the infusion method, which makes it very similar to drip coffee in terms of body and taste. The result is a slower brew and a richer cup of coffee.
“Chemex is an extremely clean and pure form of coffee brewing – it has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity even though it is strictly speaking an old style of brewing,” added Beullens. “The Mexican single origin is ideal for a Chemex style of brewing which needs a strong flavour characteristic to compensate the relative lack of body. It has a wonderful citrus flavour that carries across in the strong acidity.”
The competition experience has offered Beullens first-hand experience of the demands of a Barista competition, and this exposure will certainly put him in a strong position for future success.
“This entire experience was eye opening and will leave us with plenty to improve on looking to future competitions where I look forward to representing GCS and our signature Volere blend.”