World Brewers Cup 2025 Highlights and Insights into Winning Brew Styles
- Sonam Sherpa
- May 26
- 5 min read
24/05/2025
Written by Sonam Sherpa
Every year, the World Brewers Cup reminds us that coffee is far more than just a beverage; it’s a performance, a journey, and a deeply personal expression of passion. This year, in the vibrant city of Jakarta, that truth felt more alive than ever before. National champions around the globe stepped onto the stage, bringing their brewers, their stories, and their carefully selected coffees. Some showcased innovative new techniques, others presented rare and exquisite coffees, and a few unveiled freshly designed drippers. But above all, every competitor brought something invaluable: big hearts, fierce dedication, and an unmistakable love for coffee.
To truly understand what made Wbrc 2025 so special, we spoke with two professionals who have witnessed the competition from the front row as judges at the World Coffee Championships Reyner Oswald Herbert, director of coffee at Vulcan Coffee Roaster in Qatar, and Catherine Qinru Gu, an expert green coffee buyer and World Coffee Championships representative. Together, they reveal the story behind the score sheets, offering us a window into the passion and precision that drive the world.
From Coffee People to Coffee Judges
Meet Reyner, a green coffee buyer and quality controller whose love for coffee permeates every stage of the supply chain. What draws him to judging?
“Watching baristas express their passion, that’s what I love,” he says. “Seeing how much they care, how far they’ve come. It inspires us judges too.” For Reyner, judging is a two-way street: baristas bring their best to the stage, and judges grow alongside them, inspired by their dedication and artistry.
Catherine offers a beautifully poetic perspective: “For a coffee lover, judging is like having a front-row seat to the greatest concert in the world,” she says with a smile. “You get to taste the very best coffees made by the most dedicated brewers.” Her analogy captures the essence perfectly—because the World Brewers Cup truly is a concert of flavors, ideas, and heartfelt emotion.
What Makes This Competition Matter?
Why does the Brewers Cup matter so much in the world of specialty coffee? Both Reyner and Catherine share insights that illuminate its significance.
For Catherine, it’s all about excellence: “Competitions like the Brewers Cup drive the industry toward excellence by celebrating the art of manual brewing,” she explains. “They showcase the combined efforts of producers, roasters, baristas, and judges, all working together to create an exceptional cup of filter coffee. Brewing the best-tasting coffee sounds simple, but the journey is complex. The same coffee can taste wildly different depending on how it’s roasted or brewed, and even small changes in weather or coffee bean age can shift the profile. Mastering this process requires deeper understanding and precise control over every variable. Competitions reveal and reward that expertise.”
Reyner adds a powerful dimension: “Coffee competitions push the boundaries of what’s possible, driving innovation and progress. They challenge limitations and inspire baristas and professionals to elevate quality, to bring us closer to the most delicious cup imaginable.”
In other words, these contests don’t just celebrate coffee; they fuel the future of the industry itself by promoting better brewing, sharper flavor understanding, and a stronger connection between baristas and everyone involved in the coffee world.
This Year’s Big Change: Brewing What You Believe In
Something felt different at WBrc 2025. We asked the judges to reflect on trends or shifts they noticed in Jakarta.
Catherine observed a refreshing shift towards diversity and authenticity: “This year, competitors showcased a wider variety of coffees, moving away from the trend of relying on just one or two popular farms. Many chose coffees they personally love rather than following what past champions picked. This return to personal passion made presentations feel more authentic. As judges, we saw it clearly: only when you truly believe in what you brew can you perform at your best.”
Reyner saw a related trend in the use of blended coffees: “Blends were a major highlight this year. Some competitors combined blends into a single brew, while others presented two distinct coffees separately to highlight contrasts. Alongside technical skill, many baristas infused their presentations with warmth and genuine connection, creating engaging and human experiences for the judges.”
Clean, Sweet, and Memorable: The Flavor Profile That Stood Out
We asked the judges about flavor: What kind of cup stood out this year?
Both Reyner and Catherine agreed emphatically. This year, fewer competitors used on heavily fermented coffees. Instead, they focused on clean, fresh fruit profiles, Reyner explained.
Catherine expanded on why this matters: “Clean, sweet, and balanced cups are universally loved not just by judges but by coffee drinkers everywhere. The updated CVA scoring system makes this preference even clearer. However, in a competition setting, these qualities are just the baseline. Judges are looking for the next level of ‘delicious’, a cup that stands out yet remains enjoyable and approachable.”
In essence, “clean” doesn’t mean boring. It means precise, beautiful, and emotionally satisfying.
Stories, Innovation, and Surprise
What about techniques and surprises?
This year delivered many. Competitors shared heartfelt stories about their “coffee dreams,” showing deep passion for all stages of the coffee value chain. Some brought their routines back to the café experience by grinding on-site and completing every step of the brew live on stage, making the event feel both personal and exciting.
Reyner noticed a slew of new tools, innovative drippers, servers, and cups designed specifically to enhance the sensory experience for judges. These thoughtful touches demonstrated how competitors are meticulously crafting every detail of their brewing setup.
How George Jinyang Peng from China Took the Title of “World Brewers Cup Champion 2025
Every year, the champion is the competitor who excels across the board, not just with an engaging performance, but by consistently delivering high-quality coffee throughout all stages of the competition.
Reyner highlighted George’s approach: “His presentation was packed with technical detail, which can sometimes make it tough to stay fully engaged. But George nailed it this year. He was confident, passionate, and clearly connected with both the judges and the audience. Plus, he scored exceptionally well in the compulsory round, which is a critical part of the competition.”
Catherine added, “The champion is the one who handles consistency under pressure. On the final day, finalists brew three times: compulsory practice, compulsory brewing, and the open service final. This is a huge challenge for everyone. George managed it brilliantly, earning the highest scores across the board.”
Congratulations once again to George for his outstanding achievement.
The Future of Brewers Cup
As our conversation drew to a close, we asked Reyner and Catherine what excites them most about the future of the Brewers Cup.
“More clean, fresh coffees. More bold brewing styles,” Reyner said enthusiastically.
“New origins, new varietals, and new brewing methods we haven’t even seen yet,” Catherine added. “I truly believe the best is still ahead.”
The World Brewers Cup 2025 was more than just a competition. It was a celebration of passion, precision, and progress. It was a stage where stories unfolded, where innovation met tradition, and where each cup told a unique tale of dedication and love.
In Jakarta this year, the World Brewers Cup reminded us all why coffee is so much more than a drink. It’s an art form. It’s connection. It’s the joy of brewing beyond the cup.