Embedded Files
In contrast to the Mead Log - which just has everything I've done, as-is - no matter how well it turned out, how many mistakes were made, or how massive of a course-correction was made mid-brew - this page is reserved for brews that have some measure of success beyond just my opinion.
I can - and more importantly, I have - brewed meads that I've loved, but that most people don't think are particularly enjoyable. This is a space I've reserved to call attention to brews that have been vetted by more than just myself and one friend and have been found to be a success.
One of the bars I'm currently using to qualify for this page is a brew scoring over 35 points in competition, but for any brew that appears here, the quick summary provided under it will include an explanation of how and why it's included here.
How to Interpret Competition Scores
How to Interpret Competition Scores
Homebrew competition scoring isn't intended to be viewed as a percentage letter grade like your old schoolwork. And since brews I've listed below will have their competition scores included (if available), I'm including a few different descriptions from various sources to help contextualize what these scores mean:
Under 25 points: Your beer has some fairly serious problems. The comments should identify these and offer advice on how to fix them.
25 to 29: Your beer probably has some technical flaws, and/or it didn’t match the category. A great beer that’s badly out of style will typically score around 29 points.
30 to 37: Your beer may have some minor flaws, or it didn’t quite match the BJCP description. Many entries end up in this range.
38 points or more: Your beer is a great example of the style, and the comments will likely offer suggestions for fine tuning. Keep in mind that even with this high a score, your beer may not win if the competition was strong.
45–50: Word-class example of style
38–44: Exemplifies style well and requires minor fine tuning
30–37: Generally within style parameters but has some minor flaws
21–29: Misses the mark on style, and/or minor flaws are present
14–20: Off flavors and aromas or major style deficiencies
0–13: Major off flavors and aromas dominate
Unofficial Mead Stampede Guide
30 is a good mead
40 is approaching professional commercial grade
45 is mind blowing
50 is almost impossible
The Brewchievements Themselves
The Brewchievements Themselves
Some entries have a Recipe Writeup. They are written as instructions for you to brew the same thing at home - as a recipe - whereas the Log Entries are a journal of my actions and notes throughout the course of a specific batch I brewed. In the future if I revisit some of these recipes, they will accumulate multiple Log Entries, but there will only ever be one Recipe Writeup for each.
Keep Calm and Marion
Keep Calm and Marion
Mead Stampede 2021: 41.5 points (2nd Place in Fruit!)
Mead Stampede 2021: 41.5 points (2nd Place in Fruit!)
I'm extremely happy with how well this performed in competition, and blown away with how complex and well-balanced this is with just the marionberries. I'm big on berries in that same family and found the marionberries to be one of my favorite fruits to use so far. I cannot recommend them enough!
Parlé Bleu
Parlé Bleu
Mead Stampede 2022: 40 points
Scored 40 points with both judgesMead Stampede 2022: 40 points
A blueberry fruit bomb with carrot blossom honey. The recipe started off, like many of my fruit bombs, simply following Cory's experience with the fruit and his recommendations on matters like yeast, OG/FG, and so forth. But when I got to secondary, this particular recipe branched into different finishing methods - we used parsley and pepper instead of oak.
Log Entries
Log Entries
Black Dragon's Bomb
Black Dragon's Bomb
Mead Stampede 2022: 37.5 points
Scored 35 points with the first judge and 40 points with the second judgeMead Stampede 2022: 37.5 points
After only 1 year, the aggressive bochet still needs time to age. And yet, in spite of that, it still scored an impressive 37.5 points at Mead Stampede! I consider this performance proof that, while there are still improvements to be made with this recipe, a bochet fruit bomb is possible!
I will revisit this with further updates as the first brew ages and if I iterate on the recipe further. But for now, I'm way too excited about a young bochet fruit bomb performing this well to not include it as a success.
Log Entries
Log Entries
Blueberry Cyser
Blueberry Cyser
This one has been shared with several friends and multiple bottles have been shared out at SCA events where it has received bunches of positive feedback. While I would still make a few adjustments were I to brew it again, I don't hesitate to reach for this one if I'm deciding on brews to share!
Cherry Bomb
Cherry Bomb
Almost a carbon copy of Cory's no-water cherry meads. While I love this one too much to have shared it with a wide range of test drinkers, and I haven't entered it into a competition either, Cory has put a lot of his time and effort into refining this process. It's far more well-vetted than any of the recipes I come up with!
Daybreaker
Daybreaker
I wanted to start a batch of Dragon's Blood mead, but my local Costco was all out of the standard triple berry blend bags in the freezer aisle. I picked up a "Daybreak" blend they had in stock instead, and although this took a while to age, I was pleasantly surprised with the results!
Similar to the Blueberry Cyser, this one has not entered competition, but it has been shared with a wide range of drinkers such as at SCA events, where it has received positive feedback. I will eventually brew this one again, assuming I can find the fruit blend in stock again.
Log Entries
Log Entries
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