Bluewater Partner Cafés Shine at 2026 U.S. Barista Championship
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Editorial Dept.
At the 2026 U.S. Barista Championship, Bluewater USA Inc. celebrated strong results from its partner cafés, which took first and third place in Denver. The competition brought together top baristas from across the country to showcase skill, creativity, and consistency in coffee making. Bluewater also supported the event as the official water sponsor – helping ensure optimal brewing conditions throughout the championship.
Claiming the national title was Jak Michal Ryan of Proud Mary, a Bluewater partner café, while Ziah Bloom of Lamppost Coffee, also a Bluewater partner, secured third place. Together, the results underscore the commitment shared by leading specialty coffee businesses to precision, quality, and consistency in every cup.
The top six competitors in the 2026 U.S. Barista Championship were:
- Jak Michal Ryan, Proud Mary (Bluewater Partner) – U.S. Barista Champion 2026
- Jason Yeo, Saint Frank
- Ziah Bloom, Lamppost Coffee (Bluewater Partner)
- Morgan Eckroth, Onyx Coffee Lab
- Meg Skop, The Coffee Movement
- Seidy Selivanow, Kafiex Coffee
As the official Water Sponsor of the championship, Bluewater provided competitors with safe, purified, and properly remineralized water throughout the event, helping create a consistent platform for performance in one of coffee’s most demanding competitive environments.
“We sincerely congratulate Jak Michal Ryan, Ziah Bloom, and all the competitors who showed great skill, passion, and professionalism at this year’s championship,” said Niklas Ivarsson, President of Bluewater USA Inc.
“Having two Bluewater partner cafés in the top three is especially rewarding. These results show the ongoing pursuit of excellence that defines specialty coffee at its best.”
Hosted at Huckleberry Roasters in Denver as part of the U.S. Coffee Championships series, the competition brought together the nation’s most talented baristas to demonstrate technical precision, sensory expertise, hospitality, and creative storytelling before a panel of judges.
At this level, every detail counts. Since coffee is over 98 percent water, water quality is one of the most important factors for extraction, flavor clarity, sweetness, balance, body, and overall cup quality.
“Water is not just an ingredient in coffee; it is the foundation of extraction,” said Ivarsson. “Elite baristas spend years perfecting their craft and every detail of preparation. They deserve water they can trust: water that is safe, stable, and properly remineralized so their coffees perform as intended.”
Bluewater’s coffee water platform starts with advanced purification technology that removes unwanted contaminants, creating a clean, safe water foundation. The water is then remineralized using a controlled mineral profile designed to support optimal coffee extraction and consistency.
The company is committed to supporting specialty coffee professionals, cafés, roasters, and championship events around the world with sustainable water solutions that help improve coffee quality and performance.
“The U.S. Barista Championship shows the best of American coffee culture,” added Ivarsson. “We are proud to support an event that celebrates craftsmanship, innovation, and the talented professionals who keep pushing the boundaries of coffee.”
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