The White Horse Coffee team has just returned from a successful trip to the Golden Bean World Series Roasting Competition in Antigua, Guatemala from 17 to 20 February.
The team was thrilled to win a Silver Medal in the Espresso Category for the popular seasonal blend known as 'End of the Line - Cronulla Beach Blend' in what's regarded as the World's Largest Coffee Roaster Competition. So, it's no small feat!
The award winning blend includes beans from Ethiopia, Burundi, and Colombia, and draws inspiration from South Sydney's iconic Cronulla Beach. As the name suggests, Cronulla is the last stop at the end of the train line – hence ‘End of the Line’.
“This year Brian, our head roaster, took complete control of our End of the Line blend. Like every year, he does an excellent job,” says White Horse Head of Coffee and Co-Founder, Dominick Majdandzic.
Reflecting on the competition, Dominick notes “we’ve been competing in Golden Bean for numerous years now. What I’ve learned is, never build an expectation. So I suppose the result of getting a silver medal for End of the Line was more than what I had expected. We are thrilled!”
The Golden Bean World Series saw competitors from all around the Globe, from the US, Asia and beyond. Interesting, the overall winner was Crimson Cup Coffee based out of Ohio. In fact, there were a number of significant winners from Ohio in 2025 - a superb showing for the Mid-West in the United States, a location not traditionally associated with a leading coffee culture such as Seattle, Portland or New York.
Dominick also adds that the competition is tightly contested and 'the difference between a gold and silver medal can be the slightest dryness or bitterness in the cup'.
“The real win year after year from competing in the competition is exposure. Exposure to new people and to their roasting styles. Building new relationships and the joy of sharing with industry peers is what brings me back to the event year after year.”
Lead Coffee Roaster, Conan, says 'there were many talented roasters showcasing interesting and complex roast profiles. The competition was fierce'.
He adds, “while I’m thrilled with our success in the espresso category, I was disappointed that our End of the Line Blend didn’t place in the Milk category. I truly believed its expressive and enjoyable flavours, particularly as a flat white, would have distinguished it in the competition. I find it reminiscent of a piña colada, which I thought would be unique and appealing,” he says.
“Regardless, I’m honoured to have been part of such a prestigious event and to have competed alongside such skilled roasters.”
End of the Line is available in Australia for a limited time, in White Horse Coffee stores and online.
Leave a comment