National Coffee Champion: Dove Chen Wins Brewers Cup, Heads to World Stage

Held over three days at The Tuesday Club at 42 Airedale Street, Auckland, the event brought together baristas, brewers and coffee professionals from across the country, showcasing the depth of talent and passion within the sector.

The Brewers Cup, which had been absent from the national calendar for nine years, made a strong comeback on Friday and Saturday, followed by the Aotearoa Cup Tasters Championship on Sunday.

Columbia World Stage

The highlight of the weekend was the Brewers Cup final, where Dove Chen took out the 2026 title with an impressive performance, scoring 509 points across both the open service and compulsory rounds. The win secures Chen the opportunity to represent New Zealand on the global stage at the World Brewers Cup in Bogotá, Colombia, scheduled for late 2027.

The return of the Brewers Cup was widely welcomed by the industry, with competitors and spectators alike noting the high standard of entries. Each participant was required to demonstrate technical precision, product knowledge and the ability to present coffee in a way that highlighted flavour, origin and brewing method. Judges assessed everything from extraction and balance through to presentation and storytelling.

This year’s competition featured a diverse lineup, blending experienced competitors with a wave of first-time entrants. The mix brought fresh energy to the stage and reflected a growing interest in specialty coffee as both a craft and a career pathway in New Zealand. Many in the industry see this as a positive sign for the future, with new voices helping to push boundaries and elevate standards.

Organisers from the New Zealand Specialty Coffee Association (NZSCA) described the atmosphere as electric, with a strong sense of community underpinning the competition. Beyond the results, the event served as a platform for connection, knowledge-sharing and celebration of the wider coffee culture in Aotearoa.

The Brewers Cup format places a strong emphasis on manual brewing methods, requiring competitors to prepare and present coffees using equipment such as pour-over devices. Unlike espresso-focused competitions, the Brewers Cup allows competitors to highlight nuance, origin characteristics and brewing technique in a more controlled and expressive format.

Clarity & Consistency

Chen’s winning performance stood out for its clarity, consistency and attention to detail, with judges recognising both technical execution and the overall experience delivered. The score of 509 points reflects a high level of precision across all judging criteria, placing Chen among the top performers seen in recent national competitions.

Following the Brewers Cup, the Aotearoa Cup Tasters Championship on Sunday added another layer of competition, testing participants’ sensory skills and ability to distinguish subtle differences between coffees. Together, the two events provided a comprehensive showcase of the skills required across the specialty coffee sector.

For the New Zealand coffee industry, the successful return of the Brewers Cup marks an important milestone. It not only re-establishes a key pathway to international competition but also reinforces the country’s reputation for producing highly skilled coffee professionals.

With Dove Chen now set to represent Aotearoa on the world stage, the focus shifts to preparation for Bogotá, where the country’s top brewer will compete against leading talent from around the globe.