Delaware Beekeepers Association Annual Meeting Honey Show Rules

The purpose of this show is to provide a competitive forum directed toward the improvement of beekeeping products. The goal of the show is to display our products, whether or not we feel our entry has a chance to receive an award. A class with only a few entries, even if they all have ribbons, does not compare to the impressiveness of a large class. The Honey Show judging criteria reflects the skill of the exhibitor, shines a favorable light upon our craft, and creates a learning experience. Items which the exhibitor has no direct control over will be de-emphasized. For example, natural flavor or color of honey will not affect scoring, but alteration of either color or flavor in handling or preparation of the entry by the beekeeper will adversely affect the score. Likewise, manufacturing defects in glass jars and bottles will not affect scoring, but surface dust, smudges, scratches, chips or other handling alterations on entry containers will adversely affect the score.

General Rules  Entries will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on the day of the show. Entries must remain in place until released by the show chairman.  Entries will be accepted only from Delaware Beekeepers Association (DBA) members in good standing with paid dues.  Only one entry per class from any household, partnership, or beekeeping establishment. Youths up to 18 years of age may enter the Youth Classes separately.  The exhibitor will select the class for his/her entry. The chairman and judge(s) of the show reserves the right to make a final determination and change entry classes, as necessary. Classification of sweet/dry mead may be changed by the judge(s). Correct classification may be determined by chemical tests after the bottles of mead are opened, as needed.  No exhibitor’s names or label will be allowed on any entry except in designated classes; however, bring an extra label for each product in classes 1-8, 10-26 and 42-44. In the Arts, Crafts and Photography Division, if the exhibitor’s name and/or apiary are an integral part of the entry, names are permitted.  The decisions of the judge(s) are final. Judge(s) may withhold prizes for insufficient merit or award a lower prize at their discretion. Entries that do not comply with the rules or class description may risk disqualification.  DBA assumes no liability for loss or damage of entries. Although DBA will exercise all due care in judging and displaying entries exhibitors enter items at their own risk.  All entries must be the product of the exhibitor’s bees and have been produced within a 12- month period prior to entry. Exception to this time period will be mead/honey wine, as they need only be bottled since the previous year’s honey show, due to the aging requirements.  All honey exhibited must have been gathered and ripened in a natural way by honeybees.  All extracted, chunk, finely granulated honey, and pollen pellets must be exhibited in 1-lb. glass Queenline or Gamber Classic jars.  No changes can be made in the judging and scoring criteria at any point during the show.

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Best of Division The judge(s) will select the Best of Division award from amongst the First Place Winners from within the divisions’ classes.

Honey Division Products Division Arts, Crafts, and Photography Division Food, Mead, and Beer Division

Best of Show Award The judge(s) will select the Best of Show award from amongst the First Place Winners that represent the Division/Class from all Best of Division entries.

People’s Choice Award This award will be selected by the public, consisting of entries from Class 5 - Black Jar.

Honey Division Extracted Honey Class 1 One 1-lb. Jar of Honey, Extracted, 1st Time Exhibitors Class 2 One 1-lb. Jar of Honey, Extracted, Light Class 3 One 1-lb. Jar of Honey, Extracted, Amber Class 4 One 1-lb. Jar of Honey, Extracted, Dark Class 5 One 1-lb. Jar of Honey, Extracted, Black Jar Class 42 One 1-lb. Jar of Honey, Extracted, Youth  Classes 1 through 4 (Extracted Honey) and Class 42 (Extracted Honey Youth): Entries must be in 1-lb glass Queenline or Gamber Classic honey jars with plain metal or plastic lids. A single entry consists of one jar of honey. Honey will be judged on density, absence of crystals, cleanliness, flavor, accuracy of fill, and container appearance.  Class 5 (Black Jar): One glass jar, containing any color of honey, but covered so that the contents cannot be seen in any way, in the same type of jar as for Classes 1 through 4. Jar may be concealed by tape, cloth, paper, paint, etc. Exhibitor will provide their own concealed container. Entry must be filled at least to the lower rim of the jar, and will be judged solely on taste. Honey Comb & Spreads Class 6 One Section, Comb Honey, Box/Square/Round/Cut Comb Class 7 Chunk Honey, One 12-oz. to 16-oz. Jar Class 8 Finely Granulated Honey, Creamed/Crystallized, One 12-oz. to 16-oz. Jar Class 9 One Frame of Comb Honey, Any Size, Wooden or Plastic  Class 6 (Comb Honey, Box/Square/Round Sections/Cut Comb), Class 7 (Chunk Honey), and Class 8 (Finely Granulated Honey/Creamed/Crystallized): Entries in Classes 6 through 8 must be in the appropriate container: window cartons; round section lids – both sides transparent; cut-comb box – all sides transparent. Entries in Classes 7 and 8 must be in clear glass jars containing at least 12 but no more than 16 ounces of honey,

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by weight. Classes 6 and 7 will be graded on cut (if applicable), cleanliness, dryness of cappings, uniformity, density and flavor. Class 8 will be graded on fineness of crystals, uniformity and firmness, cleanliness and freedom from foam, flavor and fill.  Class 9 (Frame of Honey): Must be protected with plastic wrap or suitable transparent container. The frame will be judged on uniformity, absence of uncapped cells and watery cappings, cleanliness, freedom from granulation, cocoon castings, or pollen.

Products Division Pollen Class 10 Dry Pollen Pellets, One 1-lb. Jar  Class 10 (Dry Pollen Pellets): Entries must be in 1-lb glass Queenline or Gamber Classic honey jars with plain metal or plastic lids. A single entry consists of one jar of pollen pellets. The pollen will be judged for cleanliness, lack of dust, and dryness of pellets. Cosmetics Class 11 Cream/Lotion, One Container, Minimum 1.5-oz. by weight of product Class 12 Soap, One Bar, at least 3-oz. Class 13 Lip Balm, One Container, Minimum 1.5-oz. by weight of product  Class 11 (Cream and Lotion): Labelled jars may be glass or plastic and must contain a minimum of 1.5 ounces by weight of product made by the exhibitor from “scratch” and containing the exhibitor’s own beeswax and/or honey. The use of ready-made cream and lotion bases is not permitted. The entries will be judged on consistency, texture of product, cleanliness, uniformity of filling, container appearance, and fragrance. All ingredients must be listed on the container in order of prevalence, by weight.  Class 12 (Soap): Bars must weigh at least 3 ounces and be made from “scratch” by the exhibitor using the exhibitor’s own beeswax and/or honey. Use of melt-and-pour soap bases is not permitted. Soap will be judged on appearance, packaging, uniformity, difficulty of preparation, and fragrance. Soap entries must be labeled.  Class 13 (Lip Balm): Tins, tubs or tubes must contain at least 0.15 ounces of product by weight and be labelled. Lip balm must be made by the exhibitor with his or her own beeswax and/or honey. It will be judged by the same considerations as Class 11. Use of pre- made lip balm bases is not permitted. Beeswax Class 14 Beeswax Block, 1-lb. minimum, Single Block Class 15 Beeswax Candles, Molded/Poured Tapers, One Pair Class 16 Beeswax Candles, Dipped Tapers, One Pair Class 17 Beeswax Candles, Rolled, One Pair Class 18 Novelty/Artistic Beeswax, Candles/Figurines/Other Forms, Any Size or Shape  Classes 14 through 18 (Beeswax): All entries must consist of pure beeswax with no additives or colorings except wicks in the candle classes. However, entries in Class 18 may be colored, scented, and contain non-beeswax components. The optimum color for pure beeswax is lemon yellow, ranging from light canary to straw yellow. Entries in these classes will be judged by cleanliness, uniformity of appearance, color, aroma, and absence of cracks and shrinkage. It is suggested that entries be covered with clear plastic wrap or enclosed in clear, clean zipper-type plastic bags.

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Arts, Crafts and Photography Division All entries must have been made or produced by the exhibitor. Arts & Crafts Class 19 Label for Honey Container Class 20 President’s Prize (Misc. Arts and Crafts) Class 21 Personal Gift Arrangement of Honey Bee Products Class 22 Mailable Gift Pack of Honey Bee Products Class 23 Sewing or Needlework Items Class 24 Displays & Educational Exhibits Class 43 Bee Crafts Youth  Class 19 (Label for Honey Container): One marketable container of honey, any size, any type, WITH LABEL designed by the exhibitor and affixed to the container. The container, unless opaque, must contain honey. Commercial stock labels are prohibited. Apiary and/or exhibitor name is permitted on the label. Entries will be judged on originality, design, workmanship and overall appearance.  Class 20 (President’s Prize): Any creative or artistic endeavor prominently featuring the honey bee, beekeeping or pollination. Entries will be judged on originality and design, workmanship, overall appearance, and use of materials.  Class 21 (Personal Gift Arrangement of Honeybee Products) and Class 22 (Mailable Gift Pack of Honey Bee Products): Gift arrangements/packs must include one or more products of the hive but may also include other items that enhance the appeal or promote the use of hive products. Personal gift arrangements should be suitable for personal gift use regardless of commercial applications, and should be in a box, basket or other suitable container. Mailable gift packs for Class 22 should be suitable for commercial applications and will be judged on mailability.  Class 23 (Sewing or Needlework Items): All items must have a beekeeping theme. Entries will be judged on design, workmanship, overall appearance, and difficulty.  Class 24 (Displays & Educational Exhibits): Any type of educational or display exhibit created in the previous year. These will be judged for public appeal, originality, attractiveness, professional appearance, educational value, and time and effort of the exhibitor.  Class 43 (Bee Crafts Youth): Entries will be judged based on the Arts & Crafts class most fitting (Classes 19-24).

Photography Class 25 Photography, Bees with People Class 26 Photography, Bees without People  Class 25 (Photography, with People): A single black and white OR color print 5” x 7” minimum, mounted on mounting board with at least a one-inch edge, pertaining to beekeeping. One photo which must portray both people and honeybees or scenes in which people are engaged in beekeeping activities. Photographs will be judged on composition, treatment of subject matter, quality of photography, and presentation.  Class 26 (Photography, without People): A single black and white OR color print 5” x 7” minimum, mounted on mounting board with at least a one-inch edge, pertaining to beekeeping. One photo which may portray honeybees or bees on flowers, on frames,

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swarms, honeybees in any other setting, or any beekeeping scene that does not include people. Entries will be judged the same as class 25. Gadget Class 27 Equipment or Gadget  Class 27 (Equipment or Gadget): Any original tool or equipment useful in beekeeping. A written description giving details of construction, materials, cost and labor MUST ACCOMPANY THE ENTRY. This will be used by the judges in scoring. Gadgets will be judged on practicality, explanatory text, originality, ease of reproduction, and help to beekeeping.

Food, Mead, and Beer Division Mead and Beer Class 28 Mead, Sweet, One Bottle Class 29 Mead, Dry, One Bottle Class 30 Mead, Augmented, made with Fruit or Juices [Melomel, Cyser or Pyment], One Bottle Class 31 Mead, sparkling, made with or without Fruit Juices, One Bottle Class 32 Honey Beer; Light-to-Medium Bodied Ale or Lager, Honey as 15-30% of Fermentables Class 33 Honey Beer; Medium-to-Strong Ale Honey as 31-65% of Fermentables  Classes 28 through 33 (Mead and Beer): All entries in Classes 28-33 must have been produced by the exhibitor using honey from the exhibitor’s own bees, by means of fermentation. Entries must not have any identifying labels on the bottles. Mead and beer will be judged on taste, clarity, bouquet, body, bottle, closure/cork, and carbonation (if applicable).  Classes 28 through 30 (Mead, Non-Sparkling): Entries must be at least 12 months old and be exhibited in unlabeled standard 750 ml (25.4 fl. oz.) or “fifth” wine bottles that are clear, non-frosted. Natural cork, plastic stoppers or screw top closures are all acceptable. Exhibitor must state whether entry is straight (honey-and-water “must” only) or augmented (honey and water “must” plus fruit juices, herbs, spices, etc.) Allowed ingredients in all classes – sulfating, yeast, nutrients/energizers, tannin, citric acid or acid blends.  Classes 30 and 31 the type(s) of fruit used must be included on a 3” x 5” card to accompany each entry. The card must have the exhibitor’s number on it.  Class 31 (Sparkling Mead): Entries should be in champagne style glass bottles and need not be clear.  Classes 32 and 33 (Beer): Beers are to be exhibited in plain, unmarked, brown glass, 12 oz., capped beer bottles.

Honey Cookery Class 34 Cake Class 35 Cookies/Bars/Brownies, 1/2 dozen, no frosting or decoration Class 36 Pie Class 37 Candy, 1/2 dozen or ½-lb., wrapped or unwrapped Class 38 Yeast Bread/Rolls, one loaf or 1/2 dozen Class 39 Quick Bread, one loaf Class 40 Jellies/Jams/Preserves/Conserves/Condiments/Dressings/Barbecue Sauces, One Jar Class 41 Any Other Cookery Entry Class 44 Cookery, Youth

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 Class 34 through 44: Entries in all classes must use honey for 50% or more of the sweetening with the following exceptions: frostings, fillings, glazes, dusts and meringue which can contain up to 100% sugar. Entries must have been produced by the exhibitor using honey from the exhibitor’s own bees. Mixes and packaged prepared foods are not permitted. Each honey cookery entry must be accompanied by one copy of the recipe for the entry. The ingredients in the entry must match the recipe. Recipes must not contain the exhibitor’s name or other personal identification. Please identify the origin of the recipe (e.g. “personal”, “National Honey Board”). Plates and protective covers must be supplied by the exhibitor. Entries must be presented on plain paper or foam plates, in dome top cake carriers, or on cardboard covered with foil. Plates and covers will not be furnished by the Show Committee. There is no access to refrigeration for cold entries.  Class 34 (Cake): Enter all cakes un-sliced. Entries will be judged on texture, grain, color, taste, odor, shape, color and frosting (if applicable).  Class 35 (Cookies/Bars/Brownies): Bar or Sheet, Crop, Refrigerator, Rolled or Filled. Entries will be judged on grain, color, taste, texture characteristic of type, shape, appropriate size, color and uniformity.  Class 36 (Pie): Enter all pies un-sliced. Entries will be judged on texture and grain of crust, texture and consistency of filling, outside appearance, and taste.  Class 37 (Candy): Entries will be judged on flavor, texture, uniformity, and bite-sized pieces.  Classes 38 (Yeast Bread/Rolls) and 39 (Quick Bread): Enter all breads and rolls un-sliced Entries will be judged on texture, grain, color, taste, odor, crust or surface, and shape.  Class 40 (Jellies/Jams/Preserves/Conserves/Condiments/Dressings/Barbecue Sauces): Entries will be judged on flavor, consistency appropriate to type, general appearance, and container.  Class 41 (Any Other Cookery Entry): Entries in this class may be moved to a more appropriate class at the judge(s) discretion.  Class 44 (Cookery, Youth): Entries will be judged based on the cookery class most fitting (Classes 34-41).

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