SCA at First Crack

Please take a moment to watch this brief video covering all the details about SCA classes at First Crack. Thanks!

Equipment Requirements for Online and Combination Classes:

Note: If you're missing any of the required equipment, let First Crack know and we can either make it available at First Crack or direct you to an in-person class.

  • Internet connection
  • Printer
  • Scale accurate to 0.1g
  • Timer
  • Grinder
  • Paper and writing utensil
  • Two gravity manual filter brewers of your choosing (i.e. V60 or similar and Chemex or similar - ask us if you're not sure)
  • Filters
  • Aeropress and filters
  • Drinking vessel(s)
  • Gooseneck water kettle with variable temp or temp display (example: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40)
  • Cupping supplies (minimum: water kettle, five cupping bowls, rinse cup, two cupping spoons. Specs here: https://sca.coffee/research/coffee-standards). Note: while you can get by with a minimum of five cupping bowls, we strongly recommend simply purchasing an affordable set with quantity (example: https://www.restaurantsupply.com/cac-rec-4-7-25-oz-rec-ceramic-bouillon-cup-white), as fewer bowls will make the class much longer and more labor intensive.
  • Additionally, have as many of the following brewing devices as you'd like (choose at least two - the more the better): french press, other gravity brewers (Kalita Wave, Melitta, Beehouse, Fellow, etc.), other filters (i.e. cloth filter, metal cone filter), siphon, moka pot, iced coffee brewers (i.e. Toddy, Kyoto tower, Hario Mizudashi, etc.)

  • Internet connection
  • Printer
  • Scale accurate to 0.1g
  • Timer
  • Grinder
  • Paper and writing utensil
  • Refractometer
  • Pipettes and wipes (for refractometer)
  • A refrigerator (to cool a hot brew for 12 hours)
  • Two gravity manual filter brewers of your choosing (i.e. V60 or similar and Chemex or similar - ask us if you're not sure)
  • Paper filters as well as a metal cone and a cloth filter for one of the gravity manual filter brewers
  • A thermos or other hot-holding vessel
  • At least one cold brewer (french press, Toddy, Kyoto tower, etc.)
  • Drinking vessel(s)
  • Gooseneck water kettle with variable temp or temp display (example: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40)
  • Cupping supplies (minimum: water kettle, five cupping bowls, rinse cup, two cupping spoons. Specs here: https://sca.coffee/research/coffee-standards). Note: while you can get by with a minimum of five cupping bowls, we strongly recommend simply purchasing an affordable set with quantity (example: https://www.restaurantsupply.com/cac-rec-4-7-25-oz-rec-ceramic-bouillon-cup-white), as fewer bowls will make the class much longer and more labor intensive.
  • Additionally, have as many of the following brewing devices as you'd like (choose at least two - the more the better): french press, Aeropress, other gravity brewers (Kalita Wave, Melitta, Beehouse, Fellow, etc.), siphon, moka pot, iced coffee brewers (i.e. Toddy, Kyoto tower, Hario Mizudashi, etc.)

  • Internet connection
  • Printer
  • Scale accurate to 0.1g
  • Timer
  • Grinder
  • Paper and writing utensil
  • Refractometer
  • Pipettes, wipes, plungers and filters (for refractometer)
  • Immersion brewer (i.e. French press)
  • Three drip brewers of the same material (i.e. metal) but different shape (i.e. cone, truncated cone, flat bottom)
  • Paper filters as well as a metal cone and a cloth filter for one of the gravity manual filter brewers
  • Sieves example
  • Gooseneck water kettle with variable temp or temp display example
  • TDS + EC meter example
  • Drinking vessel(s)
  • Decanter(s)
  • Either old burrs for your same grinder or a second, lower-quality grinder
  • Optional: at least one cold brewer (french press, Toddy, Kyoto tower, etc.)

  • Internet connection
  • Printer
  • Scale accurate to 0.1g
  • Timer
  • Grinder capable of producing a cupping grind (let us know if you don't have this and we will send ground coffee)
  • Paper and writing utensil
  • Cupping supplies (minimum: water kettle, five cupping bowls, rinse cup, two cupping spoons. Specs here: https://sca.coffee/research/coffee-standards). Note: while you can get by with a minimum of five cupping bowls, we strongly recommend simply purchasing an affordable set with quantity (example: https://www.restaurantsupply.com/cac-rec-4-7-25-oz-rec-ceramic-bouillon-cup-white), as fewer bowls will make the class much longer and more labor intensive.
  • Espresso machine (ask us about yours)
  • Espresso grinder
  • Brush for espresso grinder
  • Tamp
  • 3 wash cloths/rags, different colors
  • 12 oz frothing pitcher
  • Thermometer 
  • Group head brush
  • Knock box
  • Ceramics: espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano (any coffee mug will do)
  • Optional: tamping mat, Urnex Rinza or similar, Urnex Grindz or similar, rinser, two 2 oz. shot glasses, cappuccino and latte saucers, espresso stirring spoon

  • Internet connection
  • Printer (for items in Appendix)
  • Cupping supplies (minimum: water kettle, 5 cupping bowls, rinse cup, two cupping spoons)
    • Specs here
    • We recommend students have 3 bowls per coffee; however, in a worst-case scenario students can get away with 5 bowls total - they can just cup each coffee individually, rinse/dry bowls and repeat. 
  • Grinder capable of producing a cupping grind (or, let us know and we will send ground coffee)
  • Timer (a timer app on a phone or in a scale is perfect)
  • Paper and writing utensil
  • Scale, accurate to 0.1g
  • Espresso machine (ask us about yours)
  • Espresso grinder
  • Brush for espresso grinder
  • Tamp
  • 3 wash cloths/rags, different colors
  • 12 oz frothing pitcher
  • 20 oz. frothing pitcher
  • Thermometer 
  • Group head brush
  • Knock box
  • Three 2 oz. shot glasses
  • Ceramics: espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano (any coffee mug will do)
  • Refractometer (most affordable one we’ve found)
    • Pipettes
    • Lab wipes
    • Plungers and espresso filters for use with refractometer
  • TDS meter
  • Blind espresso basket
  • Urnex espresso detergent or similar
  • Stubby screwdriver
  • Three electric water kettles
  • An espresso distribution tool. OCD or similar
  • A non-spec tamp (i.e. with an incorrect base diameter, etc.)
  • A scale (i.e. a bathroom scale) that can exceed 9 lbs/40kg
  • Tamping mat 
  • Urnex Rinza or similar 
  • Urnex Grindz or similar
  • rinser
  • Cappuccino and latte saucers
  • Espresso stirring spoon

10% Off SCA Coffee Skills Diploma bundles through the end of September! Email info@firstcrack.com for details.

Pricing for Online and Combination Classes:

  • Intro to Coffee: $150, plus kit shipping. Or, free (upon request) with purchase of any other course. Shipping not included.
  • Foundation-level: $200, plus cert fee ($100) and shipping.
  • Intermediate-level: $475, plus cert fee ($100) and shipping.
  • Pro-level: $1,250, plus cert fee ($100) and shipping.

Online/Combination Bundles:

  • Foundation + Intermediate, one track: $575 plus cert fees ($200) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, two tracks: $1,000 plus cert fees ($400) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, three tracks: $1,475 plus cert fees ($600) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, four tracks: $1,700 plus cert fees ($800) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, five tracks: $2,275 plus cert fees ($1000) and shipping.
  • Two Pro-level courses: $2,350 plus cert fees ($200) and shipping.
  • Three Pro-level courses: $3,750 plus cert fees ($300) and shipping.
  • Four Pro-level courses: $4,600 plus cert fees ($400) and shipping.
  • Five Pro-level courses: $5,650 plus cert fees ($500) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, one track: $1,725 plus fees ($300) and shipping. 
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, two tracks: $3,200 plus fees ($600) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, three tracks: $4,825 plus fees ($900) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, four tracks: $6,350 plus fees ($1200) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, five tracks: $7,825 plus fees ($1500) and shipping.
  • Coffee Skills Diploma bundle: $3,500 plus fees and shipping. Courses must be discussed beforehand with First Crack.

Pricing for In-Person Classes:

  • Intro to Coffee: $150. Or, free (upon request) with purchase of any other course.
  • Foundation-level: $325, plus cert fee ($100).
  • Intermediate-level: $600, plus cert fee ($100).
  • Pro-level: $1,500, plus cert fee ($100).

In-Person Bundles:

  • Foundation + Intermediate, one track: $700 plus cert fees ($200).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, two tracks: $1,400 plus cert fees ($400).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, three tracks: $2,100 plus cert fees ($600).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, four tracks: $2,800 plus cert fees ($800).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, five tracks: $3,500 plus cert fees ($1000).
  • Two Pro-level courses: $2,975 plus cert fees ($200).
  • Three Pro-level courses: $4,425 plus cert fees ($300).
  • Four Pro-level courses: $5,850 plus cert fees ($400).
  • Five Pro-level courses: $7,250 plus cert fees ($500).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, one track: $2,400 plus fees ($300). 
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, two tracks: $4,300 plus fees ($600).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, three tracks: $6,200 plus fees ($900).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, four tracks: $8,100 plus fees ($1200).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, five tracks: $10,000 plus fees ($1500).
  • Coffee Skills Diploma bundle: $4,500 plus fees. Courses must be discussed beforehand with First Crack.

Other:

  • Make a course private for you or your group: $1,000.
  • Group discounts: 5% if your group is two people; 10% for three; 15% for four; 20% for five or more.
  • Intermediate- and Professional-level online/combination classes have a required in-person practical test. 
  • Want to add to, subtract from, or customize a scheduled in-person course bundle? Email us. 
  • Want extra practice? First Crack offers long-form versions of courses. Add an extra day for $1000.
Terms and Policies:
  • Bundles and discounts cannot be applied retroactively. 
  • Bundles and discounts cannot be mixed or combined.
  • Payment due in full one week prior to the start of in-person classes (so that students can receive course books ahead of class). Payment for bundles due in full prior to the start of the first course.
  • Payment for full-track bundles is as follows: at-purchase, 100% due for the courses through Intermediate, 50% non-refundable deposit for Pro-level courses; remainder due one week prior to Pro-level courses.
  • Rescheduling fee: 10% the price of the course(s). Courses may only be rescheduled once. Reschedule requests received within a week of class are at the discretion of First Crack.
  • Sales are non-refundable and final, but can be applied to other courses in the event of a rescheduling.
  • Prices and policies subject to change.
  • The SCA sets certification fees. Pricing is subject to change.

Schedule

email info@firstcrack.com to reserve a spot!
Dates Location Classes Price
September 28 – 29, 2023 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
September 29 – 29, 2023 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00
October 03 – 05, 2023 St. Louis Roasting/Green/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate, Intro to Coffee $2,100.00
October 31 – November 02, 2023 Cleveland Barista/Sensory/Brewing Foundation and Intermediate, Intro to Coffee $2,100.00
October 31 – 31, 2023 Denver Brewing Pro $1,500.00
November 01 – 01, 2023 Denver Barista Pro $1,500.00
November 02 – 02, 2023 Denver Sensory Pro $1,500.00
November 03 – 04, 2023 Denver Roasting Pro $1,500.00
November 04 – 04, 2023 Denver Green Pro $1,500.00
November 20 – 22, 2023 St. Louis Barista/Sensory/Brewing Foundation and Intermediate, Intro to Coffee $2,100.00
November 28 – 30, 2023 Denver Barista/Sensory/Brewing Foundation and Intermediate, Intro to Coffee $2,100.00
December 06 – 08, 2023 Cleveland Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate, Intro to Coffee $2,100.00
December 18 – 18, 2023 Cleveland Brewing Pro $1,500.00
December 19 – 19, 2023 Cleveland Barista Pro $1,500.00
December 20 – 20, 2023 Cleveland Sensory Pro $1,500.00
December 21 – 22, 2023 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
December 22 – 22, 2023 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00

Students who take combination (distance learning + in-person) classes can schedule their testing date/location directly with their instructor. Combination and online classes can be taken at the student's pace and thus aren't scheduled. Pricing listed on the schedule doesn't include SCA Certification fees - see above for details.