2010 Mazer Cup International
BJCP Mead Style Guidelines

Revision: 2008

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Important attributes that must be specified

Common Mead Characteristics

Entering and Categorizing Meads

24. Traditional Mead

25. Melomel (Fruit Mead)

26. Other Mead

Entering and Categorizing Meads

Mandatory Requirements

•  Entrants MUST specify carbonation level (still; petillant or lightly carbonated; sparkling or highly carbonated).

•  Entrants MUST specify strength level (hydromel or light mead; standard mead; sack or strong mead).

•  Entrants MUST specify sweetness level (dry; semi-sweet; sweet).

Optional Requirements

Entrants MAY specify honey varieties used. If honey varieties are declared, judges will look for the varietal character of the honey. Note that the character of a varietal honey will be identifiable as distinct to the source flowers, but may not resemble the source plant, tree, or fruit. For example, orange-blossom honey has the character of orange blossoms, not oranges; blackberry honey is only distantly like blackberries, although it is an identifiable character.

Category-Specific Requirements

Some categories require additional information, particularly in categories other than traditional mead. For example, declaring specific fruit, spices, or special characteristics. Supplemental materials may be provided to judges if an obscure ingredient or method is used.

Defaults

If no attributes are specified, judges should evaluate the mead as a semi-sweet, petillant, standard-strength mead with no varietal honey character and no special ingredients. Competition organizers should make every effort to ensure that judges are provided the full set of attributes of the meads being evaluated.