Exploring the Art of Brewing at The London Coffee Festival’s Brew School

The London Coffee Festival is more than just a celebration of coffee culture—it’s an immersive experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike. At the heart of this caffeine-fuelled gathering is Brew School, an interactive workshop designed to elevate home and professional brewing skills. In partnership with industry-leading brands Hario, Wilfa, and Comandante, Brew School offers hands-on sessions showcasing expert techniques, essential tools, and the tasting experience that defines specialty coffee.

The Tools of the Trade
Achieving a perfect brew requires precision, consistency, and the right equipment. Brew School at the London Coffee Festival brings some of the most respected names in coffee gear to the forefront, allowing attendees to explore how each tool influences extraction and flavour.

Hario – The Art of Pour-Over and Immersion Brewing
Hario, a brand synonymous with pour-over perfection, will be demonstrating how its iconic V60 dripper enhances clarity and complexity in a cup of coffee. Brew School participants will learn how factors like grind size, pouring technique, and bloom time impact the final cup. Mastering the spiral pour method with the Hario Buono Kettle ensures an even extraction, unlocking floral and citrus notes in light-roasted beans. Additionally, the Hario Switch V60 Ceramic Immersion Dripper will be featured, highlighting its unique hybrid brewing approach that combines immersion and controlled percolation for a richer, more full-bodied brew.

Wilfa – Precision in Every Cup
Wilfa’s range of coffee brewers and grinders are known for their balance of convenience and precision. Attendees will have the opportunity to work with the Wilfa Uniform+ Coffee Grinder, which offers flat burrs for superior grind consistency and enhanced extraction. Understanding how grind uniformity influences different brewing methods will be a key focus. Additionally, the Wilfa Performance Thermo and Wilfa Compact Coffee Maker will be showcased, demonstrating temperature stability, efficient heat retention, and optimal brewing times that mirror professional café setups.

Comandante – The Grinder That Defines Quality
The role of grinding in coffee brewing cannot be overstated, and the Comandante C40 Nitro Blade Grinder is widely regarded as the gold standard for manual grinding. Brew School sessions will highlight how its precision-engineered burrs provide exceptional control over particle size, which is crucial for methods like cold brew, AeroPress, and pour-over. Participants will experience firsthand how adjusting grind settings can emphasize sweetness, acidity, and body in different coffee profiles.

The Tasting Experience – A Sensory Journey
Beyond technique and equipment, Brew School is about developing a refined palate. Guided tasting sessions will allow attendees to explore the impact of different variables—water temperature, brew time, and agitation—on a coffee’s sensory profile. Expect to uncover the delicate florals of Origin Coffee Roasters' San Fermin Colombia, the deep caramel notes of Los Altos Nicaragua, or the vibrant fruitiness of Karimikui Kenya, all through expertly brewed cups. Origin Coffee Roasters' carefully sourced and roasted selections offer a dynamic range of flavours, allowing participants to experience the nuanced profiles of different origins and processing methods.

Coffee Cocktails with Discarded Spirits
For those looking to take their coffee experience beyond traditional brews, Brew School is excited to introduce a special section on coffee cocktails in collaboration with Discarded Spirits. Using their sustainably crafted spirits, such as Discarded Banana Peel Rum and Discarded Cascara Vermouth, attendees will learn how to craft innovative cocktails that blend coffee with bold, unexpected flavours. Expect to shake up delicious creations like a Cascara Espresso Martini or a Banana Rum Cold Brew Highball, showcasing the synergy between specialty coffee and premium spirits.

Join the Brew School Experience!
Whether you’re a home barista looking to perfect your morning ritual or a coffee professional eager to expand your skills, Brew School at the London Coffee Festival offers an unmissable opportunity. Join us to explore the science and artistry of brewing, guided by the industry’s leading experts and the best tools available.