Here’s your May fix of brew news and caffeine-fuelled events

What’s been going down

Origin come out on top at UKBC

Big congrats to Origin‘s Dan Fellows who was crowned UK Barista Champ 2016 at the London Coffee Fest in April. Shout out to Claire Wallace from BrewLab who beat 12 other finalists to secure 3rd place.

More from Mokoko

We’re chuffed to hear that the speciality coffee revolution is continuing to spread with Bath’s Mokoko opening its second coffee shop and artisan bakery on Wapping Wharf in Bristol early this summer.

Full steam ahead at Thomson’s

Thomson’s Coffee Roasters in Glasgow has announced this month that it’ll be doubling its capacity with the addition of Scotland’s first Loring Smartroaster. ‘The new member of our roasting family will help us to develop unique roast profiles for small batch, single estate and new and innovative blends,’ says Thomson’s sales exec Conal Lavery.

A new star is born

North Star Coffee Roasters has just opened a brand spanking new venue in the centre of Leeds. As well as roasting and selling its lip-smacking coffee, budding baristas will be able to learn the craft at its new coffee academy.

New Scottish Aeropress champ

The annual Scottish Aeropress championships went down in Glasgow at BrewLab on April 21 with 35 of Scotland’s best baristas fighting for the title. James Aitken of Dear Green Coffee Roasters came out on top and will go on to represent Scotland in the World Aeropress Championships in Dublin this June.

What’s going on

Leeds Coffee Social

Coffee geeks in and around Leeds shouldn’t miss the city’s first coffee social on May 21. Throughout the day there’ll be seven local roasters holding talks and tasting events and in the evening there’ll be a mass cupping sesh.

Casa Espresso hits Spin cycling festival

Casa Espresso will be serving a cracking cup of coffee to weary cyclists with Cup North at Spin – The Cycling Festival on May 6-8 at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse. Here‘s how to get 2-4-1 tickets ’til May 5.

Calling all badass baristas

Manchester’s Grindsmith will be opening its third coffee hangout in the city this May and is looking for talented coffee-fiends to join its team. The new cafe in Media City will be serving some top notch brunch grub to complement its speciality offerings.

Pop in to the pop up

Still not got your copy of the Scottish Indy Coffee Guide (really?). Pop in to Dear Green’s pop-up at The Briggait for the duration of Glasgow International Arts Festival this month and bag a free coffee with each copy of the guide bought.

After hours at Fed

Federal Cafe and Bar in Manchester has extended its opening hours. As well as serving cracking coffee and great grub by day, the Northern Quarter hangout will also be knocking up killer cocktails (espresso martini anyone?) and tempting sharing boards ‘til 8.

World exclusive for Dusty Ape

Fancy trying something totally unique? Dusty Ape Coffee Roasters is offering world exclusive Ethiopian Bench Maji Wild Forest coffee for just £7.00 per 250g. Get your hands on a bag here. Add a Hario 700ml V60 Drip Decanter for the special price of  £29.99 and you could be enjoying this rare coffee at home.

Coffee classes at Clifton

Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol is sharing the brew love and offering FREE quarterly training sessions to its regular wholesale customers. Hone in on your barista skills with Clifton’s experienced AST trainer Jimmy.

Avo look at this

Hungry foodies in Edinburgh should seek out Green Shoots on Alexandra Drive not just for its great coffee but its tempting new lunch offering. Smashed avo with sumac and tahini dressing, vintage cheddar and red onion toastie and grilled halloumi and harissa flat breads – we’re hungry just thinking about it.

10% off at La Bottega Milanese

To celebrate its sleek new website, La Bottega Milanese in Leeds is treating customers to 10% off its online shop until the end of May. Just use code LBMWEB