SCA Brewing course · Downtown Los Angeles Brewing, one variable at a time.
Brewing is the Specialty Coffee Association’s hands-on course in brewing methods and the variables that shape quality — grind profiles, measuring coffee strength and charting a coffee’s extraction. We teach it at Foundation (7 hours), Intermediate (14 hours) and Professional (21 hours) levels at Soro Coffee, 601 Wilshire Blvd in downtown Los Angeles — in English or Korean, taught by Rock Kim, an Authorized SCA Trainer (AST) and licensed Q Instructor.
At a glance
- Levels
- Foundation, Intermediate and Professional
- Length
- Foundation 7 hours · Intermediate 14 hours · Professional 21 hours
- Exams
- Written and practical exams at every level, audited by the SCA
- Certificate
- An SCA certificate for each level you pass
- Diplomas
- Foundation counts toward the SCA Café, Roastery and Coffee Trade Diplomas; Intermediate and Professional toward the Café Diploma
- Taught by
- Rock Kim, an Authorized SCA Trainer (AST) and licensed Q Instructor
- Language
- English or Korean
- Where
- Soro Coffee, 601 Wilshire Blvd, downtown Los Angeles
Three levels
Foundation to Professional.
The course covers brewing methods, grind profiles, the variables that affect quality, measuring coffee strength and charting extraction — and each level ends with written and practical exams, audited by the SCA.
01
Foundation
A first, hands-on look at brewing, and a good way to decide whether to go further. No experience needed.
- Counts toward the SCA Café, Roastery and Coffee Trade Diplomas
02
Intermediate
For people already working in coffee who have the basic skills down.
- Counts toward the SCA Café Diploma
03
Professional
Specialist knowledge at a high level — the kind that shows employers you’re ready to work in the field.
- Counts toward the SCA Café Diploma
Questions
Good to know
Do I need experience to take Brewing?
Not for Foundation — no experience needed. Intermediate and Professional are for people who already work in coffee and have the basic skills down.
How long is the Brewing course?
Foundation is 7 hours, Intermediate 14 hours and Professional 21 hours — the SCA’s standard length for each level.
Is it SCA-certified, and what are the exams?
Yes. Brewing is part of the Specialty Coffee Association’s Coffee Skills Program and is taught by an Authorized SCA Trainer (AST). Each level ends with written and practical exams, assessed by the trainer and audited by the SCA. Pass them and you receive the SCA certificate for that level.
Which SCA diplomas does it count toward?
Brewing Foundation counts toward the SCA Café, Roastery and Coffee Trade Diplomas; Intermediate and Professional count toward the Café Diploma. The diplomas are cumulative — you earn them by combining certificates across courses and levels.
Can I take it in Korean?
Yes. Classes can be taught in Korean as well as English — just tell us which you’d prefer when you inquire. There’s also an academy page in Korean (한국어).
Where is the course held?
At Soro Coffee, 601 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017, in downtown Los Angeles.
Next step
Ask about the next class
Send an inquiry and we’ll get back to you by email. Class dates are set based on demand. Or email education@sorocoffee.com.
More SCA courses at Soro