Week of Events
Monday, May 4, 2026
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Featured May 4, 2026 -Featured SCA Introduction to Coffee
SCA Introduction to Coffee
Part of the SCA Coffee Skills Program, Introduction to Coffee is open to coffee enthusiasts and specialty coffee professionals alike. Intro to Coffee is a comprehensive crash course in the specialty coffee industry. It charts coffee's journey from its origins in Ethiopia to the major commodity that it is today. This course gives a general overview of the specialty coffee supply chain and explores topics such as history and cultivation, variables that affect coffee quality, basics of sensory analysis, fundamentals of roasting, factors of coffee freshness, and principles of brewing. Learners will also discuss the importance of water quality, equipment cleanliness, and maintenance. In the Opo Coffee training lab, this interactive course also includes a live coffee roasting demo and coffee cupping. There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here. Lunch and validated parking included in the course fee. Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class! Maximum Class Size: 7 students Class Duration: 6.5 hours Instructor: Joel Ballard, Authorized SCA Trainer SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA […]
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
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May 5, 2026 -SCA Barista Skills Foundation
SCA Barista Skills Foundation
This course allows learners to gain an introductory understanding of the coffee itself as well as foundational skills required to set a grinder, make espressos, foam and texture milk and latte art techniques as per SCA quality standards, while implementing health and safety practices and customer service. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to conduct key foundational tasks of a barista. There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here. Validated parking and lunch are included in the course fee. Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class! Maximum Class Size: 5 students Class Duration: 7.5 hours Instructor: Joel Ballard, Authorized SCA Trainer SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes. Refunds and Rescheduling: 30+ days before the course start: You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge. 15–29 days before the course start: You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee. Within 14 days of the course start: Cancellations and rescheduling are no […]
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
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May 6, 2026 -SCA Brewing Foundation
SCA Brewing Foundation
This course introduces the learner to the different methods of brewing coffee. The learner will receive theoretical and practical hands-on instruction for a range of devices including various pourover cones, French press, siphon, Aeropress, Clever brewer, and more. Practical learning objectives and activities prepare the learner to prepare a tasty brew based on an understanding of the essential brewing elements and an analysis of their brew results. There is an online written exam administered upon completion of the course. Learn more about the SCA Coffee Skills Program here. Validated parking and lunch are included in the course fee. Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class! Maximum Class Size: 6 students Class Duration: 7 hours Instructor: Jonathan Pascual, Authorized SCA Trainer SCA certificate courses have very limited seating and require significant planning and preparation to schedule, staff, and deliver. Because of this, SCA Courses follow a separate policy from our non-certification classes. Refunds and Rescheduling: 30+ days before the course start: You may reschedule or request a full refund at no charge. 15–29 days before the course start: You may reschedule or request a refund, less a 20% processing fee. Within 14 days of the course start: Cancellations […]
Thursday, May 7, 2026
No events on this day.
Friday, May 8, 2026
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May 8, 2026 -Coffee “Office Hours”
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May 8, 2026 -Coffee “Office Hours”
Coffee “Office Hours”
Play on any of the coffee brewing equipment in our lab, with an Opo trainer available to answer any questions or give tips on technique. Open to anyone, professional baristas and home coffee enthusiasts alike. Coffee beans and whole milk included. Available equipment: 2-group La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 1-group La Marzocco GS3 Nuova Simonelli Mythos espresso grinder Nuova Simonelli G60 AMC espresso grinder Mazzer Major espresso grinder Mahlkonig Guatemala coffee grinder Breville Barista Express home espresso machine Breville Bambino Plus home espresso machine Baratza Encore home grinder Bonavita Metropolitan 8-cup drip brewer Various manual brew methods: French press, Aeropress, Kalita, Clever, V60, Chemex Hot water tower Water kettles Weighing scales Maximum Size: 6 people
Coffee “Office Hours”
Play on any of the coffee brewing equipment in our lab, with an Opo trainer available to answer any questions or give tips on technique. Open to anyone, professional baristas and home coffee enthusiasts alike. Coffee beans and whole milk included. Available equipment: 2-group La Marzocco Linea Classic EE 1-group La Marzocco GS3 Nuova Simonelli Mythos espresso grinder Nuova Simonelli G60 AMC espresso grinder Mazzer Major espresso grinder Mahlkonig Guatemala coffee grinder Breville Barista Express home espresso machine Breville Bambino Plus home espresso machine Baratza Encore home grinder Bonavita Metropolitan 8-cup drip brewer Various manual brew methods: French press, Aeropress, Kalita, Clever, V60, Chemex Hot water tower Water kettles Weighing scales Maximum Size: 6 people
Saturday, May 9, 2026
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May 9, 2026 -Honey Tasting
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May 9, 2026 -Home Espresso
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Featured May 9, 2026 -Featured Latte Art Basics
Honey Tasting
It's time to put your honey where your mouth is and travel the world through honey! In this guided tasting experience, we'll do an in-depth sensory analysis of nine distinct honeys from around the world, comparing the climate and chemistry behind each unique sample. Along the way, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for how honeybees use teamwork and pure instinct to create the hive's sweetest byproduct, as well as a FREE half pound jar of our raw, wildflower, made-in-Atlanta's-backyard honey to enjoy at home! This class is brought to you by Sneaky Bee Backyard Honey.
Home Espresso
This practical workshop is perfect for those who have a home espresso machine and would like to brew better shots and understand how barista technique affects taste in the cup. During the class, you’ll learn the basics of espresso extraction and work on things like grind adjustment, distribution, and tamping, learning on commercial equipment and Breville home machines. Our experienced trainers will guide you through the process, providing tips and tricks to help you sharpen your home barista skills. Students will receive a 15% discount on coffee and merchandise the day of class! Maximum Class Size: 6 students Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer
Latte Art Basics
Whether you’re just getting started as a barista, have an espresso machine at home, or simply want to learn latte art technique for fun, this hands-on class is a great introduction to basic latte art. You’ll get direct instruction and practice using commercial or home espresso equipment to get one step better in pouring latte art - whether that's starting with a simple heart, or improving technique for more consistent milk texture for your more advanced pours. No previous experience required. Maximum Class Size: 6 students Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer
Sunday, May 10, 2026
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May 10, 2026 -FREE Bag of Coffee!
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Featured May 10, 2026 -Featured Latte Art Basics
FREE Bag of Coffee!
Taste Like a Pro! Have you ever wondered how baristas are able to rattle off incredibly specific descriptors for your coffee? Or how those flavor notes ended up on your bag of coffee? Well, if so, this class is for you! In this session we will discuss the basics of sensory analysis, how to taste like a coffee professional, and how to describe what you experience. We will also get a chance to participate in a coffee cupping, which is the process that coffee pros use to analyze a coffee. Come ready to drink lots of coffee! Each ticket includes a FREE bag of Opo Upside beans! Maximum Class Size: 8 students Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer
Latte Art Basics
Whether you’re just getting started as a barista, have an espresso machine at home, or simply want to learn latte art technique for fun, this hands-on class is a great introduction to basic latte art. You’ll get direct instruction and practice using commercial or home espresso equipment to get one step better in pouring latte art - whether that's starting with a simple heart, or improving technique for more consistent milk texture for your more advanced pours. No previous experience required. Maximum Class Size: 6 students Instructor: Joel Ballard, Opo Barista & Authorized SCA Trainer
