KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Malaysian barista Nas Jaafar has won the 2026 World Brewers Cup, an event dedicated to the artistry involved in the craft of manual brewing, the first Malaysian to ever win the competition.
The World Coffee Championships announced Nas’s win in an Instagram post yesterday, naming him the 2026 World Brewers Cup Champion and placing him ahead of finalists from Australia, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, South Korea and France.
Nas, representing Malaysia’s national competition body, topped a field of elite brewers known for their mastery of manual brewing, sensory precision and coffee storytelling.
Previously Nas was also the winner of the Malaysia Brewers Cup competition in 2025.
The announcement triggered an outpouring of pride from Malaysian cafés, roasters and industry veterans.
The 2026 World Brewers Cup is part of the World Coffee Championships circuit, held this year across several global cities including Brussels, Dubai and Bangkok. The competition is regarded as one of the most prestigious platforms for showcasing excellence in hand‑brewed coffee.
Malaysia’s coffee scene, long overshadowed by larger markets, is expected to gain fresh international attention following the victory.
