During barista championships, three espresso machines are devoted to competition. “The Fourth Machine” is a barista competition tradition where attendees are treated to complimentary espresso drinks from specialty coffeehouses, with many shots pulled by competitors. Here’s the schedule so far for USBC 2009:

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2009 (ROUND ONE)

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: DoubleShot Coffee Company (Ambergris Espresso Blend)
10:30 AM – Noon: Stone Cup Roasting Co. (La Reve Espresso)
Noon – 1:30 PM: Badbeard’s Coffee
1:30 PM – 3 PM – Zoka Coffee Roasters (Colombia Huila Monserate)
3 PM – 5 PM: ?

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2009 (ROUND ONE)

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Verve Coffee Roasters (USBC Competition Blend & Ethiopia Worka)
10:30 AM – Noon: Coava Coffee Roasters (Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Kochere single origin)
Noon – 1:30 PM: Four Barrel Coffee (Ethiopia Idido Misty Valley)
1:30 PM – 3 PM – Barismo (Linnaean St. Espresso – a blend of Brazil, Costa Rica & Kenya)
3 PM – 5 PM: Caffe Pronto (Caffe Vincente & Ethiopia Wondo Worka)

SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2009 (SEMI FINALS)

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: Ritual Coffee Roasters (Sweet Tooth Fazenda Esperanca – Brasil & Sweet Tooth Narino – Colombia)
10 AM – 11:30 AM: Intelligentsia Coffee (Black Cat Classic & Black Cat Guatemala La Maravilla)
11:30 AM – 1 PM: Cherry Coffee Roasters (Solutionary Espresso & Flores Island Organic Mangarai)
1 PM – 3 PM – Ecco Caffe
3 PM – 5 PM: Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. (Big Truck)

SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2009 (FINALS)

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM: Stumptown Coffee Roasters (SO Espressos: Colombia La Piramide & Colombia El Descanso)
1:30 PM – 3 PM – Hines Public Market Coffee