Erlend Wessel-Berg
Norway
Independent
Please tell us a little about yourself:
I’m 21 years old and live in Trondheim, Norway. When I’m not brewing coffee I study physics and maths. I started working in coffee a year and a half ago, and my boss convinced me to join the brewers cup regionals. After that I was hooked.
What are you excited to do in Boston?:
I’m excited to meet new people, taste amazing coffee, learn from fellow competitors, and of course compete!
Please list the coffee competitions you have participated in, what year they took place, and your results:
Norwegian Brewers Cup 2018 – 8th place
Norwegian Brewers Cup 2019 – 1st place
How do you see the coffee industry changing in the future?:
I believe we will have more knowledge about what happens at the farm and how this influences the experience in the cup. This knowledge will bring more customers, because of both the experience and direct trade. In turn this will give a better living to the farmers.
Where do you see yourself in five years?:
Doing what I do today—combining physics and coffee, trying to use science to produce a better product for myself and my customers.
What are your interests outside of coffee?:
As I mentioned above, I really enjoy physics and maths, but really any type of science. I also ride my bike a fair bit.
Is there anyone you would like to thank or recognize, or who helped you to prepare for the WBrC?:
Adrian Berg, who is the Norwegian Barista Champion 2019! I can’t count how many evenings before the national champs we spent at our “lab”, preparing each other for our respective competitions. And of course, all the other coaches and friends back in Trondheim.
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