Beverage style guidelines are used with the permission of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). BJCP Style Guidelines Copyright © BJCP, Inc. The most current guidelines are available at www.bjcp.org.
Overall impression
A harmonious blend of mead and beer, showing distinctive traits of both; results vary widely with base beer style, honey, sweetness, and strength.
Aroma
Subtle to distinct honey and beer/malt depending on sweetness/strength and base style. Hop aroma optional and should harmonize. Varietal honey or base beer/malt characters (if declared) may be subtle to noticeable.
Appearance
Beer-like: clarity good to brilliant but often less clear than other meads; light to moderate head if carbonated; color light straw to dark brown/black, reflecting beer/honey; stronger versions may show legs.
Flavor
Balanced character identifiable as both beer and mead; intensity varies with sweetness/strength/honey/beer style. Hop bitterness/flavor optional and should suit the base style and blend well.
Mouthfeel
Smooth; body moderately light to full depending on sweetness/strength/base style. Thin/watery or raw/cloying sweetness are faults. Alcohol warmth may appear in stronger versions. Carbonation variable; still braggots may retain low natural carbonation.
Comments
Also known as bracket/brackett. Fermentables from both malt and honey; may be hopped or not. Smoked braggots using smoked malt or smoked beer base may be entered here.
Characteristic ingredients
Honey plus malt (grain or extract) and optionally hops; can be a mead–beer blend or co-fermentation.
Style comparison
More beer-like than other meads; honey expression often partially masked by malt/hops.
Entry instructions
Specify carbonation, strength, sweetness. May specify honey varieties, base beer style, or malts used. Products with low honey proportion may fit Alternative Sugar Beer.
Commercial examples
Rabbit’s Foot Diabhal, Rabbit’s Foot Bière de Miele, Magic Hat Braggot, Brother Adams Braggot Barleywine Ale, White Winter Traditional Brackett