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Eric William Kilakila Liftee Jr.

@elikaliftee

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It's me, Elika. At least the 2nd tallest barista you know.
Brewers Cup: US 🥇🥇World 🥉🥈
OK->AR->TX

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Houston showed up for their special look at the Road to Championships with U.S. Barista Championship competitors Elika Liftee and David Buehrer.

Elika and David gave their insights into the competition circuit and what it takes to compete. More importantly, they inspired the next generation of baristas in Houston and helped build excitement for the 2026 U.S. Barista Championships.

A huge thank you to Greenway Coffee for hosting this incredible event and to Elika and David for sharing your knowledge, experience, and passion with everyone in attendance.

Want to watch Elika and David live? Secure your tickets to the U.S. Barista Championships through the link in our bio. by @elikaliftee

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4 months ago

The countdown is on, and @elikaliftee is ready to take the stage!

Join @elikaliftee & @greenwaybarista this Saturday for a special preview of their 2026 U.S. Barista Championships routines before they compete.

Enjoy competition coffees, food, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to compete in the USCC circuit.

📍 1302 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX 77023
📅 Saturday, June 13 | 1 PM CT

RSVP through the link in our bio ☕️ by @elikaliftee

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4 months ago

Howdy Houston!

Join @greenwaybarista and @elikaliftee for an exclusive preview of their 2026 U.S. Barista Championships performances before they take the national stage, and get an inside look at what goes into competiting in the USCC circuit.

Come experience competition coffees, coffee from some of Houston’s favorite coffee shops, food, and a behind-the-scenes look into USCC preparation.

Whether you’re a barista, coffee enthusiast, or just curious about coffee competitions, this event is all about bringing together the next generation of USCC competitors.

📍Greenway Coffee Company HQ (1302 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX 77023)
🗓️ Saturday, June 13 | 1 PM CT

RSVP through the link in our bio by @elikaliftee

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5 months ago

Looking back on our three days at WOC San Diego, the memories still feel so fresh ☕✨⁠
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Thank you to everyone who showed love and enthusiasm for our first Cup of OutIn, and to every one of you who stopped by the OutIn booth. Your active participation made the event truly special. Every conversation, every shared passion, and every piece of feedback continue to inspire us to grow and keep building better Personal Coffee Stations for every coffee lover. ☕⁠
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Also, a special thank you to @ale_john_mattew and @elikaliftee for bringing such inspiring workshops throughout the event. Your passion and expertise made every moment even more meaningful.⁠
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Until next time — see you at WOC Brussels 👋⁠
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#outin #worldofcoffee2026 #woc #cupofoutin #cupo #outinmino #portablecoffeemachine #outinnano #outinfino #outinlattogo by @elikaliftee

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6 months ago

Day 1 at WOC San Diego ☕✨

Thank you all for the amazing energy and for stopping by the OutIn booth — it truly meant a lot to us.

We’re just getting started. Over the next two days, we can’t wait to welcome more of you, share more coffee, and create more moments together.

See you at #LP6 and Booth 4027⁠ 👋

#outin #worldofcoffee2026 #woc #cupofoutin #cupo #outinmino #portablecoffeemachine #outinnano #outinfino #outinlattogo #sandiego by @elikaliftee

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6 months ago

Career wrap. Grateful for the lovely time and delicious coffee shared with incredible people.

From my first bar shift to leading education, competing on the world stage, and everything in between, too many memories for one post. So here’s one moment: post-brewguide laughs with @jgmille, @dakotagraff, and the Education Team, @vdegraff, Rafa, and @anarelivillanazul.

Never Settle for Good Enough. The journey continues. taken in ONYX Coffee Lab by @elikaliftee

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a year ago

Come say hi and share some coffee at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston!

Friday 25th
Onyx Coffee Lab -1809
10:00am-12:30pm
3:30pm-5:00pm

Saturday 26th
GHGBS -515
10:30am-11:30am
Onyx Coffee Lab -1809
12:30pm-5:00pm

Sunday 27th
Timemore -2723
10:45am-11:45am
Onyx Coffee Lab -1809
12:30pm-3:00pm by @elikaliftee

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a year ago

I'm grateful to be on the US Brewers Cup Stage again. I made it to semifinals and will find out if I get another chance to share my coffee soon.

The Brewers Cup community of volunteers, stage managers, and judges are something special. As stressful and hard as the work can be, they make it feel more rewarding to competitors and I hope we can do the same. The effort and intention is always impressive. They're also pretty cool :)

Here's to some moody pics and hopefully 1 more day of competition. Thanks @uscoffeechamps and @jgmille for the pics and hangs. taken in Durham, North Carolina by @elikaliftee

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2 years ago

As I sit here reflecting post competition, freshly positive for COVID 19 (symptomatic today, y'all should be good from KC), I feel pretty good about qualifying. I'm grateful that platforms like @uscoffeechamps exist, and that I get to participate again in the Brewers Cup. Backstage is still the best people and onstage is still the best feeling. Thanks to the people who support me and the competitions, I'm excited to see what everyone brings to the US Championship. The rust is shaken off, let's go. by @elikaliftee

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2 years ago

Playing with some new toys and brewing a Nitro Watermelon Inoculated Caturra... It's the best infused coffee I've ever had. @ultrakoki @orea.uk @onyxcoffeelab taken in Fayetteville, Arkansas by @elikaliftee

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2 years ago

I've been through the rabbit hole of coffee brewing. I consider myself able to get the best out of my equipment and I do the same with my pickleball gear. I just added the Bread & Butter Filth to my packl. @bnbpickleball paddles have always arrived at ideal starting weight. This is impressive for a thermoformed and foam injected paddle. I check my starting weight and adjust with lead tape up to 0.6oz around the paddle face, with some more in the handle when I add some extra wrap. This lends to power, larger sweet spot, and balance. Exploring this has been fun and humbling.

I'm having fun starting at the bottom of this hobby and learning a ton about my fitness regimen, athleticism, and making new friends. I've always been accused of being an old man, so there you have it. Play pickleball folks, and if you need cool stuff, check out Bnbpickleball.com and use my code for 15% off paddles. Whether it's your morning coffee or afternoon workout... SERVEANDENJOY. taken in Fayetteville, Arkansas by @elikaliftee

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3 years ago

Chris arrived as my cousin and left as my brother. I loved him and I'll miss him greatly. He was more than any of us deserved.

He could talk to anybody, make you laugh, and eat more than you, for sure. He was a genuinely kind person, welcomed anybody, easy to laugh and get along with. I'm glad I got to grow up with you. Rest in Peace Keaulama. by @elikaliftee

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3 years ago