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

Pricing for Online and Combination Classes:

  • Intro to Coffee: $99, plus kit shipping. Or, free (upon request) with purchase of any other course. Shipping not included.
  • Foundation-level: $200, plus cert fee ($48) and shipping.
  • Intermediate-level: $475, plus cert fee ($90 member, $138 non-member) and shipping.
  • Pro-level: $1,250, plus cert fee ($138 member, $192 non-member) and shipping.

Online/Combination Bundles:

  • Foundation + Intermediate, one track: $575 plus cert fees ($138 member, $186 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, two tracks: $1,000 plus cert fees ($276 member, $372 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, three tracks: $1,475 plus cert fees ($414 member, $558 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, four tracks: $1,700 plus cert fees ($552 member, $744 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate, five tracks: $2,275 plus cert fees ($690 member, $930 non-member) and shipping.
  • Two Pro-level courses: $2,350 plus cert fees ($276 member, $384 non-member) and shipping.
  • Three Pro-level courses: $3,750 plus cert fees ($414 member, $576 non-member) and shipping.
  • Four Pro-level courses: $4,600 plus cert fees ($552 member, $768 non-member) and shipping.
  • Five Pro-level courses: $5,650 plus cert fees ($690 member, $960 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, one track: $1,725 plus fees ($276 member, $378 non-member) and shipping. 
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, two tracks: $3,200 plus fees ($552 member, $756 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, three tracks: $4,825 plus fees ($828 member, $1,134 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, four tracks: $6,350 plus fees ($1,104 member, $1,512 non-member) and shipping.
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, five tracks: $7,825 plus fees ($1,380 member, $1,890 non-member) 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: $149. Or, free (upon request) with purchase of any other course.
  • Foundation-level: $325, plus cert fee ($48).
  • Intermediate-level: $600, plus cert fee ($90 member, $138 non-member).
  • Pro-level: $1,500, plus cert fee ($138 member, $192 non-member).

In-Person Bundles:

  • Foundation + Intermediate, one track: $700 plus cert fees ($138 member, $186 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, two tracks: $1,400 plus cert fees ($276 member, $372 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, three tracks: $2,100 plus cert fees ($414 member, $558 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, four tracks: $2,800 plus cert fees ($552 member, $744 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate, five tracks: $3,500 plus cert fees ($690 member, $930 non-member).
  • Two Pro-level courses: $2,975 plus cert fees ($276 member, $384 non-member).
  • Three Pro-level courses: $4,425 plus cert fees ($414 member, $576 non-member).
  • Four Pro-level courses: $5,850 plus cert fees ($552 member, $768 non-member).
  • Five Pro-level courses: $7,250 plus cert fees ($690 member, $960 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, one track: $2,400 plus fees ($276 member, $378 non-member). 
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, two tracks: $4,300 plus fees ($552 member, $756 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, three tracks: $6,200 plus fees ($828 member, $1,134 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, four tracks: $8,100 plus fees ($1,104 member, $1,512 non-member).
  • Foundation + Intermediate + Professional, five tracks: $10,000 plus fees ($1,380 member, $1,890 non-member).
  • 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:
  • First Crack donates 5% of in-person course proceeds to local benefit partners such as children's hospitals. 
  • 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
November 29 – 30, 2021 St. Louis Green Pro $1,500.00
November 29 – December 02, 2021 Kansas City Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
November 29 – December 01, 2021 Denver Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
November 29 – 30, 2021 Cleveland Barista Pro $1,500.00
November 30 – December 01, 2021 Cleveland Brewing Pro $1,500.00
November 30 – December 01, 2021 St. Louis Roasting Pro $1,500.00
December 01 – 02, 2021 St. Louis Sensory Pro $1,500.00
December 01 – 02, 2021 Cleveland Sensory Pro $1,500.00
December 02 – 03, 2021 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
December 02 – 03, 2021 St. Louis Brewing Pro $1,500.00
December 03 – 04, 2021 St. Louis Barista Pro $1,500.00
December 03 – 04, 2021 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00
December 06 – 09, 2021 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 06 – 09, 2021 Kansas City Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 06 – 09, 2021 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 06 – 07, 2021 Denver Green Pro $1,500.00
December 07 – 08, 2021 Denver Roasting Pro $1,500.00
December 08 – 09, 2021 Denver Sensory Pro $1,500.00
December 09 – 10, 2021 Denver Barista Pro $1,500.00
December 10 – 11, 2021 Denver Brewing Pro $1,500.00
December 13 – 16, 2021 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 13 – 16, 2021 Denver Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 13 – 16, 2021 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 13 – 14, 2021 Kansas City Barista Professional $1,500.00
December 14 – 15, 2021 Kansas City Brewing Professional $1,500.00
December 15 – 16, 2021 Kansas City Sensory Professional $1,500.00
December 16 – 17, 2021 Kansas City Roasting Professional $1,500.00
December 17 – 18, 2021 Kansas City Green Pro $1,500.00
December 20 – 23, 2021 Denver Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 20 – 23, 2021 Kansas City Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 20 – 23, 2021 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
December 20 – 21, 2021 St. Louis Barista Pro $1,500.00
December 21 – 22, 2021 St. Louis Brewing Pro $1,500.00
December 22 – 23, 2021 St. Louis Sensory Pro $1,500.00
December 22 – 23, 2021 St. Louis Roasting Pro $1,500.00
December 23 – 23, 2021 St. Louis Green Pro $1,500.00
January 03 – 04, 2022 Denver Roasting Pro $1,500.00
January 04 – 04, 2022 Denver Green Pro $1,500.00
January 05 – 06, 2022 Denver Sensory Pro $1,500.00
January 06 – 06, 2022 Denver Barista Pro $1,500.00
January 07 – 07, 2022 Denver Brewing Pro $1,500.00
January 10 – 10, 2022 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00
January 10 – 11, 2022 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
January 11 – 12, 2022 Cleveland Sensory Pro $1,500.00
January 11 – 14, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
January 11 – 14, 2022 Kansas City Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
January 13 – 13, 2022 Cleveland Barista Pro $1,500.00
January 14 – 14, 2022 Cleveland Brewing Pro $1,500.00
January 24 – 27, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Green/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
January 24 – 25, 2022 Denver Roasting Pro $1,500.00
January 25 – 25, 2022 Denver Green Pro $1,500.00
January 25 – 27, 2022 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
January 26 – 27, 2022 Denver Sensory Pro $1,500.00
January 27 – 27, 2022 Denver Brewing Pro $1,500.00
January 28 – 28, 2022 Denver Barista Pro $1,500.00
January 31 – 31, 2022 St. Louis Barista Pro $1,500.00
February 01 – 01, 2022 St. Louis Brewing Pro $1,500.00
February 01 – 03, 2022 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 01 – 03, 2022 Denver Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 02 – 03, 2022 St. Louis Sensory Pro $1,500.00
February 03 – 03, 2022 St. Louis Green Pro $1,500.00
February 03 – 04, 2022 St. Louis Roasting Pro $1,500.00
February 07 – 07, 2022 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00
February 07 – 08, 2022 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
February 08 – 09, 2022 Cleveland Sensory Pro $1,500.00
February 08 – 10, 2022 Denver Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Green/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 08 – 10, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 10 – 10, 2022 Cleveland Brewing Pro $1,500.00
February 11 – 11, 2022 Cleveland Barista Pro $1,500.00
February 14 – 14, 2022 Denver Green Pro $1,500.00
February 14 – 15, 2022 Denver Roasting Pro $1,500.00
February 15 – 17, 2022 Kansas City Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 15 – 17, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Barista/Sensory/Brewing Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 16 – 16, 2022 Denver Sensory Pro $1,500.00
February 17 – 17, 2022 Denver Brewing Pro $1,500.00
February 18 – 18, 2022 Denver Barista Pro $1,500.00
February 21 – 21, 2022 Kansas City Barista Pro $1,500.00
February 22 – 22, 2022 Kansas City Brewing Pro $1,500.00
February 22 – 24, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 22 – 24, 2022 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
February 23 – 24, 2022 Kansas City Sensory Pro $1,500.00
February 24 – 24, 2022 Kansas City Green Pro $1,500.00
February 24 – 25, 2022 Kansas City Roasting Pro $1,500.00
February 28 – March 03, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Green/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 03 – 05, 2022 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 07 – 07, 2022 St. Louis Green Pro $1,500.00
March 07 – 08, 2022 St. Louis Roasting Pro $1,500.00
March 08 – 09, 2022 St. Louis Sensory Pro $1,500.00
March 08 – 10, 2022 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 08 – 10, 2022 Denver Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 10 – 10, 2022 St. Louis Brewing Pro $1,500.00
March 11 – 11, 2022 St. Louis Barista Pro $1,500.00
March 14 – 14, 2022 Cleveland Barista Pro $1,500.00
March 15 – 15, 2022 Cleveland Brewing Pro $1,500.00
March 15 – 17, 2022 Denver Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 15 – 17, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 16 – 17, 2022 Cleveland Sensory Pro $1,500.00
March 17 – 18, 2022 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
March 18 – 18, 2022 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00
March 21 – 24, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 21 – 21, 2022 St. Louis Barista Pro $1,500.00
March 22 – 22, 2022 St. Louis Brewing Pro $1,500.00
March 23 – 24, 2022 St. Louis Sensory Pro $1,500.00
March 24 – 25, 2022 St. Louis Roasting Pro $1,500.00
March 24 – 26, 2022 Cleveland Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 25 – 25, 2022 St. Louis Green Pro $1,500.00
March 28 – 29, 2022 Cleveland Roasting Pro $1,500.00
March 29 – 29, 2022 Cleveland Green Pro $1,500.00
March 29 – 31, 2022 Kansas City Intro to Coffee, Roasting/Sensory/Green Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 29 – 31, 2022 St. Louis Intro to Coffee, Barista/Brewing/Sensory Foundation and Intermediate $2,100.00
March 30 – 31, 2022 Cleveland Sensory Pro $1,500.00
March 31 – 31, 2022 Cleveland Brewing Pro $1,500.00
April 01 – 01, 2022 Cleveland Barista 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.