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The journal is warming up. Check back for practical writing on coffee, teaching, and craft.
Learn coffee the way you wish you'd been taught.
Small classes, honest teaching, and skills you can use tomorrow. Trent leads every course himself, so you get one instructor, one voice, and answers to the questions you have.
SCA-certified courses in Calgary. Baristas, cafe owners, and coffee pros come here from across Canada.
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Trent teaching in the Timberline space, or a striking photo of the bar / cupping table. 4:5 aspect ratio ideal.
90-second quiz
Not sure where to start?
Answer 5 quick questions and we'll map out your ideal courses in the order that fits where you are today, with a discount included, so you can start when you're ready.
Get your learning plan →1
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Yours to keep, download as a PDF.
Learning paths
Find the right path for who you are today.
Every student comes in from somewhere different. These four paths cover where most people are. Not sure which fits? Take the 90-second quiz.
For Career Baristas
Already behind the bar and want to move up? Get the certifications, palate, and skills that get you promoted or hired somewhere better.
- SCA Barista Skills Intermediate
- Latte Art Essentials
- SCA Sensory Foundation
Explore the path →
For Cafe Owners (and Future Ones)
Opening a cafe, or already running one? Learn the coffee side and the business side from someone who's helped dozens of owners get it right.
- Coffee Shop Masterclass
- SCA Brewing Foundation
- SCA Sensory Foundation
Explore the path →
For Home Enthusiasts
Love coffee at home? Understand what you're tasting, pour better shots, and build a palate that keeps sharpening long after class ends.
- SCA Introduction to Coffee
- Espresso or Brewing Essentials
- Noon Cupping Club (free)
Explore the path →
For Coffee Professionals
Roasting, buying, QC, or working toward the Q Grader? Sharpen your palate to the level your work demands.
- SCA Sensory Foundation → Professional
- Q Grader Course + Certification
- WCC Judge Skills
Explore the path →
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Portrait or teaching action shot. 4:5 aspect ratio ideal.
Your instructor
Hi, I'm Trent.
[REPLACE: Trent's intro, 2-3 paragraphs in his voice] Placeholder: I built Timberline Coffee School because I wanted a place in Calgary that taught coffee the way I wish I'd been taught when I started: hands-on, honest about what works and what doesn't, and small enough that I get to know every student.
I've spent the last decade teaching, judging competitions, cupping at origin, and running certification programs. I'm a Q Grader, an SCA Authorized Specialty Trainer, and a WCC-certified judge. When people take a course here, they get me, not a rotating cast of guest instructors.
Every email that comes in through this site comes straight to my inbox. Try it: tell me where you're stuck and I'll help you pick the right course.
Q Grader Certified
SCA Authorized Specialty Trainer
WCC Certified Judge
10+ years teaching
What students say
The reviews we're proudest of.
28 five-star Google Reviews from students who took our courses. Here are three worth reading.
★★★★★
"Trent is a great instructor! Well organized, communication was all super clear, and he was quick to respond to any questions before and after the class."
★★★★★
[REPLACE: Real Google review] Placeholder: Best coffee education I've had in Canada. Trent's teaching style is engaging and the class sizes are small enough that you get attention.
★★★★★
[REPLACE: Real Google review] Placeholder: The Q Grader course was worth every dollar. Trent's prep work was thorough and I went in feeling ready.
From the journal
Notes on coffee, teaching, and craft.
Practical writing on getting better at coffee, whether you're behind the bar, building a cafe, or training your palate at home. Written by Trent.
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Visit us
We're in Calgary.
Address
99 New Brighton Landing SE
Calgary, AB · T2Z 0S7
Calgary, AB · T2Z 0S7
Hours
By appointment for course sessions
Email
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Square 1:1 embed showing the Calgary location.
