Love coffee? We’ve got over 200 mind-bowing roasts for you to sample and countless top-of-the-range products to shop. Foodie? Savour dishes from our mouth-watering street food market, featuring the finest culinary concepts in Amsterdam (or nab a VIP ticket to take a seat at our exclusive coffee and food pairing table). Just love a party? We’ve got a killer line-up of top DJs, and don’t forget Tia Maria’s Espresso Martini launch party. Love all three? The Amsterdam Coffee Festival is unmissable.
As if you need more reasons to come, discover our top ten festival highlights below.
Taste 200 coffees
You asked for a coffee festival, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing; with more than 100 exhibitors serving over 200 free coffees to sample, your festival ticket is a passport to a journey of taste discovery. From the launch of The La Marzocco Playground – which brings together some of the best specialty coffee providers in Europe – to innovative, small batch roasters and artisan cafés, the best in the business are joining us for the ride.
Get close to the action
It debuted to rip-roaring success at The Amsterdam Coffee Festival 2017, and now Coffee Mixologists is back for a second edition. Watch as our barista-mixologist duos take to the stage for three rounds of nail-biting knockout competition. From the Signature Drink round to secret ingredients challenges with Daarnhouwer coffee and Tia Maria liqueur, they must showcase skill, creativity, showmanship, innovation, professionalism and teamwork. What’s more? You get to sip on Tia Maria cocktails whilst the action unfolds. Who will you cheer on to win the €1,000 prize?
Shop ‘till you drop
Can you resist top of the range brewing kit? It’s not just for the pros; Hario are bringing home brewing masterpieces to the festival so that you can take your new skills home. Come by the Hario Booth at any time during the weekend; browse to your hearts content and consult the professionals. Why not pick up the iconic V60 (perfect for home brewers) or the syphon (for more serious coffee geeks). Joining Hario, you can expect to find other leading home-brewing like Aeropress and Chemex. Browse coffee connoisseur Esther Masdaam’s top coffee gadgets for 2018 here.
Swot up your knowledge
From demonstrations, to workshops and tasting sessions, The Lab is all about innovation, learning and boundary-pushing talks. Designed to offer visitors an array of interactive experiences, the programme covers everything from ‘Sustainability in Our Industry’ by De Koffieschool to ‘Cocktail Secrets to Boost Your Business’ from Tia Maria. Plus, learn how to taste coffee like a pro with Patrick Groenewold, Director of Coffee at Single Estate Coffee Roasters. See our full line-up here.
Dance the evening away
They did it once and they’re doing it again; Tia Maria are back in town to host an unforgettable launch night. They’ll be shaking up a range of coffee cocktails – from the classic espresso martini to the popcorn frappe. Pick your favourite (or try them all) and sip away as you dance to Kremlin Disko, who’ll be taking over the DJ decks for the evening. Want to learn more about coffee mixology? Swing by Tia Maria’s masterclasses, running twice a day on the Coffee Mixologists stage. See who else is playing throughout the festival here.
Explore milk and coffee pairings
How much do you consider your milk? Queens of Dairy has partnered with top-end roasters like Keen Coffee, Single Estate Coffee Roasters and Giraffe Coffee Roasters to bring you a brand-new tasting experience; The Specialty Milk Bar. Select a guest coffee (or bring your own favourite to the bar) and get stuck into a one-on-one consultancy with an expert, whilst they make your complimentary coffee using perfectly paired milk. Meet leading dairy farmers on the stand to learn even more.
Be inspired by latte art legends
Dreaming of pouring the perfect glossy rosetta? Or simply head over heels for espresso-based coffee? Latte Art Live is back, bringing the world’s top latte art specialists along with it. You’ve seen them on Instagram, and now they are at work right in front of you. Make sure you come by for Alpro For Professional’s Plant Based Throwdowns at 4pm each day, where the winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to The London Coffee Festival in April. Get up close and learn the art of pouring with Almond, Coconut and Soy For Professionals; the full Alpro For Professionals plant-based trilogy.
Geek out over top-of-the-range machines
With the La Marzocco Playground launching this year, the hype is real. At the centre of it all is their latest launch, the Leva. Visit the playground to meet the baristas and have a go on the Leva; set to become the cutting-edge centrepiece in your favourite cafes. Coffee geeks will love the rest of the La Marzocco machinery on display. Pass by to see the Linea Classic and the Linea PB scales, both designed by Piero Bambi, the son of the founding La Marzocco brothers. Want more high tech? You’ll also be able to have a go Exhibited alongside the La Marzocco headliners in the playground will be machines from Bunn, Puq Press, Mahlkonig, Ceado, Mazzer and Anfim. Find out about more innovations here.
Watch the professionals compete for the national titles
Ready yourself for some high-end competition. You’ll be able to get up-close to the action at the SCA Championships. This competition tests each barista’s skills, accuracy and ability to react under pressure as they fight for the chance to represent the Netherlands in the World Barista Championships 2018. With 32 contenders, The Dutch Tasters Cup is set to be a real highlight. Smell the coffee and feel the tension as they battle it out for the win. See the full programme here.
Take your seat for a coffee and food pairing session
A unique coffee and food pairing session is coming to The Amsterdam Coffee Festival via Mississippi Bar and Kitchen, available for lucky VIP ticket holders. The Amsterdam legends are famous for serving delicious food hailing from by the banks of the Mississippi river. With a starter of coffee-infused black bean soup, a main of cacao-coffee dry rub millionaire brisket and dessert of Irish coffee bonbon with vanilla gel, it is going to be a hit. Be inspired and open your mind to exciting new pairings.