BJCP

BJCP Mead Exam Resources

Education and Reference Materials for Mead Judges

The BJCP acknowledges the original copyright of any external reference or document authored by a non-BJCP member. These references were selected for their educational value for our members.

  • The BJCP Mead Exam

    • Mead Exam Study Guide (DOC) (PDF) – The knowledge base necessary to pass the exam
    • Ingredient Descriptions (PDF) – Detailed descriptions of specialty ingredients, previously part of the Mead Study Guide
    • BJCP Exam Program (PDF) – Information about the BJCP Exam Program, previously part of the Mead Study Guide
    • Mead Judge Program Overview – Administrative details about the program
    • Mead Exam Format – The format of the exam and types of questions

    BJCP Mead Resources

    • Mead Style Guidelines
    • Troubleshooting Mead – Fault list and possible troubleshooting options
    • Mead Scoresheets
      • Traditional Scoresheet
      • Checklist Scoresheet – draft, still in development
    • Mead Vocabulary – Terms, definitions and pronunciations – Not available yet

    Reference Library

    Essential References

    • The Compleat Meadmaker – Ken Schramm's definitive guide. If you buy only one reference, this is the one to get.
    • Zymurgy May/June 2000, the Mead Issue. Currently out of print, but available to AHA members via the eZymurgy app.

    Honey Information

    • Intro to Honey (PDF) – The Story of Honey (NHB)
    • Honey – Wikipedia article on Honey
    • Honey Definitions (PDF) – Defintion of Honey and Honey Products (NHB)
    • Reference Guide (PDF) – Detailed Reference Guide to Honey (NHB)
    • pH in Honey (PDF) – pH and Acids in Honey (NHB)
    • Honey Crystalization (PDF) – Honey Crystalization (NHB)
    • Honey Shelf Life (PDF) – Shelf Life and Stability in Honey (NHB)

    Honey Varieties and Mead Ingredients

    • Varietal Mead Comparison – Presentation from the 2010 AHA NHC by Susan Ruud and Gordon Strong
    • Varietal Honey Descriptions – Detailed descriptions for judges written by CEP Director Kris England (multi-tab spreadsheet)
    • Fruit, Spice and Grape Descriptions – Detailed descriptions for judges written by Susan Ruud
    • Overview of Varietal Honeys – Consumer-level information on honey varieties (NHB)
    • Varietal Honeys (PDF) – Commercial information on Varietal Honeys (NHB)
    • Sensory Aspects (PDF) – Sensory Attributes of Honey Varieties (NHB)
    • Floral Source Guide (PDF) – Older varietal guide (NHB)
    • Floral Source Guide (PDF) – Floral Guide Fact Sheet (NHB)
    • European Honeys (PDF) – Main European Unifloral Honeys, from a European technical journal

    Mead and Mead Making

    • Ken Schramm on The Jamil Show – Podcast on the Mead Style with a great interview with Ken Schramm
    • Meadmaking Basics – Podcast from Basic Brewing Radio, interview with Mike Lozano
    • Other Fruit Melomels – Article from BYO July 2008 by 2005 Meadmaker of the Year Curt Stock
    • Mastering Mead: Optimizing Honey Fermentation – Article from Zymurgy November/December 2005 by Ken Schramm
    • Mead Success: Ingredients, Process, and Techniques – Article from Zymurgy Spring 1995 by Dan McConnell and Ken Schramm
    • Mead Making FAQ – Great set of technical references and research by Hightest
    • Making Great Mead – Presentation given at AHA NHC 2008 by Kristen England
    • Cap Management – Article on special considerations when working with melomels
    • Using Oak in Mead – Article on the effects of using oak in meadmaking
    • Mead – Wikipedia article on Mead
    • Mead: Nectar of the Gods – Article from WineMaker magazine
    • Let Me Call You Honey – Article from All About Beer
    • Honey in a Glass – Article from BYO magazine
    • Mead Analysis – An Analysis of Mead, Mead Making and the Role of its Primary Constituents by Dan McConnell and Ken Schramm
    • Making Mead (PDF) – Making Mead: The Art and the Science (NHB)
    • Honey and Homebrewing (PDF) – Honey and Homebrewing: A Sweet History (NHB)
    • Honey in Beer (PDF) – Using Honey when Brewing (NHB)
    • Honey in Cider (PDF) – Hard Honey Cider (NHB)

    Mead Analysis and Judging

    • Judging Mead – Presentation given at 2010 BJCP Judge Reception by Exam Director Steve Piatz
    • Honey Color – Honey Color as defined by the US Dept of Agriculture (NHB)
    • Tasting Honey (PDF) – The Effect of Honey Additions on the Four Basic Tastes (NHB)
    • Mead Judging (PDF) – Mike Hall's Treatise on Mead Judging from 1996
    • Wine Judging (PDF) – Factors Considered in Wine Evaluation (American Wine Society), much of the information is applicable to mead. Reprinted with permission of the author.
    • Sensory Analysis of Honey (PDF) – Sensory Analysis Applied to Honey, a European technical journal article

    Mead Bibliography

    • Mead Bibliography (PDF) – Extensive list of books and articles on mead, honey and related topics. Furnished by Dan McFeeley.

    Enthusiast Links

    • GotMead – Information for home mead makers
    • Meadfest – Mazer Cup (formerly International Mead Festival)
    • National Honey Board (NHB) – All about honey and its uses
    • Honeylocator – Find honey, also includes extensive varietal details
    • Mead Maker's Page – Another portal on mead
    • Mead Lover's Digest – Internet newsgroup on Mead, including archives
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