Three Ways to Brew Coffee with an AeroPress

If you’ve ever wondered how to get the best flavor out of your AeroPress — especially using techniques that have actually won world competitions — you’re not alone. Many coffee lovers love the AeroPress for its versatility, but nailing the perfect brew can feel tricky without clear guidance. Here’s how the 2013 World AeroPress Championship top three brewers did it, with exact numbers and steps.

Quick answer: The 2013 WBC AeroPress champions used three distinct methods — a standard forward brew at 79–83°C with 17g coffee and 265g water, a 240g boiling water inverted soak, and a 200g 90°C coarse-grind inverted method — each with specific grind sizes, timings, and techniques to highlight different flavor profiles.

What Is the AeroPress and Why Is It Popular?

The AeroPress is a relatively new and highly portable coffee brewing device that has steadily grown in popularity among specialty coffee enthusiasts. Its design allows for a wide range of brewing styles — from espresso-like shots to full-immersion coffee — and it’s favored for its ease of use, quick cleanup, and consistent results. Originally released in 2005, it has become a favorite for both home brewers and competition baristas thanks to its flexibility.

Method 1: The 2013 WBC Champion’s Forward Brew

This is the method that won the 2013 World AeroPress Championship. It’s a classic forward brew method using a medium-fine grind, a gentle bloom, and a two-part water pour for controlled extraction.

• Coffee: 17g
• Grind Size: Slightly coarser than pour-over (using Uber grinder)
• Water: 50g at 83°C for bloom, then 215g at 79°C
• Total Water: 265g
• Bloom: 40 seconds with 50g water
• Pour: 30-second pour of remaining water
• Press: 30-second gentle press
• Discard: Leave final 50g in the chamber (do not consume)

Brew Notes: Pre-wet the filter to avoid paper taste. Use a cocktail glass to hold the coffee grounds to reduce static and fine particles. This method highlights clarity and balance, with a clean cup that lets the coffee’s origin qualities shine.

Method 2: The Inverted 240g Boiling Water Soak (Champion’s Alternative or Runner-Up Style)

This is a simple immersion-style brew done by flipping the AeroPress upside down — a method often associated with the runner-up or other top brewers in the competition. It emphasizes full immersion and minimal agitation.

• Coffee: 17g
• Water: 240g at boiling point (~100°C)
• Steep Time: 2 minutes
• Stirs: 3 times during steep
• Brew Style: Inverted
• Press: After steep, flip and press as normal

Brew Notes: This method produces a fuller-bodied cup with more intense extraction due to the higher temperature and longer contact time. The inversion prevents early dripping and allows for a stable brew environment. It’s ideal for darker roasts or when you want a heavier mouthfeel.

Method 3: The 200g 90°C Coarse Grind Inverted Method (Bronze Medal Style)

This method, used by the bronze medalist, uses a very coarse grind and a unique pre-wetting and stirring routine, followed by a slow, body-weight press. It’s designed for a cleaner, lighter extraction despite the long brew time.

• Coffee: 12g
• Grind Size: Very coarse
• Water: Start with 50g at ~90°C for pre-wet, then add 150g more (total 200g)
• Pre-Wet & Stir: 50g water, stir 5 times
• Steep & Stir: No additional stirring after initial, just let it sit
• Brew Time: Around 2 minutes total steep
• Press: Flip AeroPress to upright position, then use body weight to gently press

Brew Notes: Keeping the AeroPress inverted during the steep minimizes early extraction. The very coarse grind and lower dose help prevent over-extraction, while the body-weight press ensures even flow. This method is great for highlighting brighter, more nuanced flavors with a lighter body.

General Tips for Brewing Great AeroPress Coffee

• Bean Selection: Choose high-quality beans; avoid overly light or damaged beans. Consistent, freshly roasted beans perform best.
• Grounds Handling: Use a cocktail glass to hold ground coffee to reduce static and fine particle issues.
• Filter Prep: Always wet the filter paper before brewing to remove paper taste and ensure proper seal.
• Water Quality & Temperature: Use filtered water. Adjust temperature based on roast level — lighter roasts prefer slightly cooler water (79–83°C), while darker roasts can handle boiling or near-boiling water.
• Grind Adjustment: Match grind size to your brew method — finer for faster presses, coarser for immersion-style brews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best AeroPress brewing method for beginners?

The 2013 WBC Champion’s forward brew method (Method 1) is a great starting point for beginners. It offers a balanced approach with clear steps: bloom, pour, and press. The grind is slightly coarser than pour-over, and the total brew time is around 2 minutes, which is easy to manage.

Why did the champions use different grind sizes?

Different grind sizes affect extraction speed and flavor profile. The champion used a slightly coarse pour-over style grind for clarity, the bronze brewer used a very coarse grind for a lighter extraction, and immersion methods (like Method 2) are less sensitive to grind size but benefit from a standard medium-coarse.

Does water temperature really matter in AeroPress brewing?

Yes. The champions used specific temperatures: 83°C and 79°C for the forward brew (lighter roasts), and 90°C or boiling for others. Lighter roasts extract better at slightly lower temperatures (79–83°C), while darker roasts can handle 90°C or higher without becoming bitter.

Should I always use the inverted method?

No. The inverted method is helpful for longer immersion or when using finer grinds to prevent dripping. The standard forward method (as in the Champion’s brew) works well for most situations and is easier for beginners.

How much coffee should I use in an AeroPress?

Most recipes use between 12g and 17g. The 2013 champions used 12g (Method 3), 17g (Methods 1 and 2). Adjust based on your cup size and strength preference, but keep the ratio around 1:15 to 1:16 for balanced results.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for AeroPress

For AeroPress brewing, we recommend FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its bright citrus and floral notes, FrontStreet Yirgacheffe for a juicy and tea-like body, and FrontStreet Classic Blend for a balanced and approachable cup. All three beans respond well to the varied AeroPress techniques, highlighting their unique profiles through clean and vibrant extractions. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.