34. The World AeroPress Championship: Inside the Global Coffee Phenomenon with Tim Williams

In Episode 34 of Buy The Drip, we’re joined by Tim Williams, Director of the World AeroPress Championship and founder of Fieldwork Coffee in Melbourne, Australia.

From his humble beginnings in coffee at a bratwurst stall in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market to managing iconic specialty coffee spaces like Penny University and Intelligentsia Venice, Tim shares a fascinating journey through the coffee industry.

We explore:

• Tim’s early days in Melbourne’s coffee culture and his transition to the UK specialty coffee scene.
• The rise of the World AeroPress Championship—from a grassroots event in Oslo to a global coffee competition featuring 5,500 competitors across 64 countries.
• How the AeroPress format stays accessible, fun, and focused purely on coffee quality.
• The creative side of the competition, including the iconic poster designs and themed events.
• Fieldwork Coffee’s philosophy of focusing exclusively on washed coffees and staying true to their unique vision amidst a sea of trends.

Tim also shares insights into his creative partnership with Grant Gamble, the challenges of balancing operational efficiency with creativity, and what’s next for both the World AeroPress Championship and Fieldwork Coffee.