The Bellingham Herald, Thursday, December 29, 2005

MASTEMA SERVED AS BARISTA JUDGE

Alexarc Mastema of The Black Drop Coffeehouse in Bellingham recently served as a certified lead technical judge for the Specialty Coffee Association's Northwest Regional Barista Competition in downtown Seattle.

The competitors vie for the title of Northwest Regional Barista Champion, which guarantees them an opportunity to compete in the United States Barista Championship in Charlotte, N.C., in April 2006 for the chance to represent the United States in the World Barista Championship slated for May 2006 in Bern, Switzerland.

Mastema has also judged the 2005 USBC, held in Seattle, the 2004 Canadian Barista Championship, held in Vancouver B.C., and the 2004 NWRBC, held in Portland, Ore. The Black Drop Coffeehouse is a relationship-based independent espresso cafe specializing in artisan drink building.