Our Story
Hatch is hosting a brewing competition in collaboration with HIFLUX, built around one simple challenge: every competitor brews with the same HIFLUX filter, showcasing their creativity, adaptability, and pursuit of clarity through coffee.
At Hatch, we believe that great coffee comes from curiosity, experimentation, and the relentless pursuit of clarity.
At HIFLUX, every filter is designed with one purpose: to promote clean flow, reduce interference, and allow the coffee's true character to shine.
This collaboration is built around a simple yet powerful idea:
One Filter. Endless Possibilities.
By requiring every competitor to use the HIFLUX Filter, the competition creates a common foundation for all participants.
Everyone starts from the same place.
The filter remains the same.
What changes is the brewer.
The Flow Master Challenge celebrates the meeting point between these two ideas.
A single filter.
Infinite possibilities.
And an ongoing pursuit of coffee's clearest expression.
REGISTRATION:
Tickets Release: Wednesday ,July 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
27 competitor spots
$60 per ticket, limit 1 ticket per person (any additional one will be cancelled)
Registered competitors will receive a confirmation email and additional event information closer to the competition date
EVENT INFORMATION:
Date: Friday, August 21, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Hatch
802 Cochrane Dr Unit B, Markham, ON L3R 8C9
COMPETITION FORMAT:
27 competitors
Multi-round elimination
1v1v1 blind tasting
6-minute preparation + 6-minute brew time per round
🎲 Round 1 — Origin Roulette (27 Competitors)
No prep. No hints. Just coffee.
Draw a random coffee origin moments before brewing and create the best possible cup using only your instincts, sensory skills, and brewing knowledge.
🎯 Round 2 — The Unknown Dripper Challenge (9 Competitors)
Meet your mystery brewer.
Draw one of six mystery drippers and discover how to unlock its full potential.
✨ Final Round — Pursuit of Clarity (3 Competitors)
At Hatch, we believe clarity is one of coffee's highest expressions.
Finalists will brew two cups.
Cup One — Initial Expression
Present your first interpretation of clarity. Judges will rank the coffees based on clarity and overall expression. After judging, finalists may taste all three coffees before brewing their second cup.
Cup Two — Refined Expression
Refine your recipe using what you've learned. Adjust any brewing variable—including grind size, ratio, temperature, pouring structure, agitation, or dripper—to produce an even clearer and more expressive cup.
The Flow Master Champion will be the competitor who best demonstrates the ability to observe, adapt, and refine in pursuit of coffee's clearest expression.
PRIZES:
1st Place
$150 Gift Card (sponsored by Eight Ounce)
$300 Cash
APAX LAB Core Box Set x 1
APAX LAB x Hatch “Lumina”(20ml) x 1
HIFLUX HIGH FAST Filters (3 packs)
Hatch Peak Coffee (100g) x 1 bag
2nd Place
$100 Gift Card (sponsored by Eight Ounce)
$150 Cash
APAX LAB x Hatch “Lumina”(20ml) x 1
HIFLUX HIGH FAST Filters (2 packs)
Hatch Premium Coffee (200g) x 1 bag
3rd Place
$50 Gift Card (sponsored by Eight Ounce)
$100 Cash
APAX LAB x Hatch “Lumina”(20ml) x 1
HIFLUX HIGH FAST Filters (1 pack)
Hatch Premium Coffee (200g) x 1 bag
RULES:
Any manual brewing method (except espresso)
HIFLUX HIGH FAST filter paper is mandatory
Coffee and water only
Minimum 120g beverage served
Competitors are encourage to bring their own brewing water
House water will be available (40-60ppm)
Bypass is permitted
EQUIPMENT:
Competitors may bring their own brewing equipment and accessories.
Hatch will provide:
HIFLUX HIGH FAST filter papers (V01/V02/155/185)
Fellow electric kettles
Acaia Pearl scales
Carafes
Cupping bowls & spoons
Distilled water will not be provided
ELIGIBILITY:
Open to coffee professionals and enthusiasts of all experience levels
Competition organizers, judges, event staff, and individuals directly involved in running the event are not eligible to compete
Order 3 or more bags of coffee and the whole order ships free. *Flat rate $10 shipping for orders under 3 coffees.
Same or next day shipping (excluding weekends / preorders / intl orders). This coffee may be rested 7-14 days before being shipped.
Once shipped, please allow for a transit time of 4-10 business days. Orders in the GTA deliver within 1-2 days.
*signature option is available as we are not responsible for lost or stolen packages
**USA: Please be aware that recent changes in cross-border trade regulations have resulted much higher scrutiny for shipments to the USA. We have resumed shipping with a new partner but please kindly allow additional processing and transit times. Pick ups will take place on Tuesday and Friday of each week and will have a transit time of 4-10 business days once picked up with our shipping partner.
Select the pickup option and location during checkout. You will receive an email once your order is ready.
Flat rate per order:
China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau
UK, and select EU Countries
Australia
Other Countries: please inquire