We will host a Mead Competition with the following categories:

Fruit Sweet

Fruit Dry

Non-fruit Sweet

Non-fruit Dry

Each category will have a first, second and third prize (provided there are that many entries in each). The first prize winner in each category will then be judged to determine best in show.

We may also offer awards for things like: Most Attractive Label, Most Interesting Bottle, Clearest Mead and we may do a couple of Booby-prizes for Weirdest Tasting, Ugliest Label or Most Cloudy.

Each entry must be labeled with the name of the mead, category, ingredients and the date when you started the mead. If the mead is best served over ice or chilled or room temperature or even warm, please note that on the label. Forms will be available at the registration table for those who want to enter the contest -- so someone can number the bottles and keep track of which ones belong to whom. Do not put your name on the label. If your mead could fall into two or more categories, you will have to pick one (decisions, decisions...).

Meads will be judged on appearance, nose, overall flavor, honey flavor retention, clarity, mouth feel, and probably a few other things I can't think of right now.

Bottles with mold, serious off-odors, or other things that make the judges concerned for their health will be quietly removed from the contest and not judged.

Thanks to Cat for his willingness to coordinate this event! We may have a new way of judging this year which will allow folks to participate quietly and judge for themselves. And cheers to the judges who have been dragged kicking and screaming into this mess.