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
Meads that do not fit other subcategories, including blends of categories, alternative fermentables, unusual ingredients/processes/yeasts, or icing; still identifiable as honey-based and balanced.
Aroma
Follows standard mead descriptors but varies widely based on concept; should be pleasant and coherent.
Appearance
Variable; depends on ingredients/process.
Flavor
Variable; balance and drinkability paramount. Oak alone does not force entry here unless barrel character (e.g., bourbon) is significant.
Mouthfeel
Variable; should suit concept and remain enjoyable.
Comments
Examples include maple/molasses/agave adjuncts, liquors, smoke, unconventional yeasts (e.g., Brett), icing, or other creative approaches. No mead is out of style here unless it fits elsewhere.
Characteristic ingredients
Any appropriate to the concept, keeping mead recognizability.
Style comparison
Open-ended; compared against the declared concept while maintaining mead identity.
Entry instructions
Specify carbonation, strength, sweetness. May specify honey varieties. Must specify the special nature (combination, experimental, or other creation). May declare special ingredients that impart identifiable character.
Commercial examples
Moonlight Utopian, Hanssens/Lurgashall Mead the Gueuze, White Winter Cherry Bracket, Mountain Meadows Trickster’s Treat Agave Mead