BJCP Mead Exam Study Guide What you need to know to pass the Mead Exam September 2009 Initial release: September 22, 2009 Contributing Authors Gordon Strong Susan Ruud Kristen England Ken Schramm Curt Stock Petar Bakulić Michael Zapolski, Sr. (Hightest) Copyright © 2009 by the authors and the BJCP TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Recommended Reading.................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Advanced Reading.......................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Important BJCP References............................................................................................ 3 2. The BJCP Mead Exam............................................................................................................ 4 2.1. Mead Exam Details......................................................................................................... 4 2.1.1. Written Section..................................................................................................... 4 2.1.2. Tasting Section..................................................................................................... 5 2.2. BJCP Mead Judge Question Pool ................................................................................... 5 2.2.1. Section 1............................................................................................................... 5 2.2.2. Section 2............................................................................................................. 10 2.3. Sample BJCP Mead Judge Exam.................................................................................. 17 2.4. Example of a Complete Answer ................................................................................... 21 3. The BJCP.............................................................................................................................. 24 3.1. BJCP Background......................................................................................................... 24 3.2. Advancing in the BJCP................................................................................................. 24 3.3. Experience Points.......................................................................................................... 24 3.4. BJCP Experience Point Award Schedule ..................................................................... 25 3.5. Definitions..................................................................................................................... 26 3.6. Exam Administration.................................................................................................... 27 3.7. BJCP Administration .................................................................................................... 28 4. The Mead Judge Designation................................................................................................ 29 5. What is Mead? ...................................................................................................................... 30 5.1. What is Honey?............................................................................................................. 30 5.2. How does Mead differ from Other Beverages? ............................................................ 31 6. Mead Styles........................................................................................................................... 32 6.1. Introduction to the Mead Guidelines ............................................................................ 32 6.1.1. Important Mead Descriptors............................................................................... 33 6.1.2. Common Mead Characteristics .......................................................................... 33 6.1.3. Entering and Categorizing Meads ...................................................................... 36 7. Balance in Mead................................................................................................................... 37 7.1. The Notion of Balance.................................................................................................. 37 7.2. Components of Balance ................................................................................................ 38 7.2.1. Sweetness ........................................................................................................... 38 7.2.2. Acidity ................................................................................................................ 39 7.2.3. Tannin................................................................................................................. 39 7.2.4. Alcohol Strength................................................................................................. 39 7.2.5. Honey Flavor...................................................................................................... 40 7.2.6. Carbonation ........................................................................................................ 40 7.2.7. Body ................................................................................................................... 40 7.3. Achieving Balance........................................................................................................ 41 8. Honey.................................................................................................................................... 43 i 8.1. Honey Attributes........................................................................................................... 43 8.1.1. Color................................................................................................................... 44 8.1.2. Flavor and Aroma............................................................................................... 44 8.2. Honey Varieties............................................................................................................ 45 8.2.1. Apple Blossom................................................................................................... 46 8.2.2. Alfalfa................................................................................................................. 46 8.2.3. Basswood............................................................................................................ 46 8.2.4. Blackberry Blossom........................................................................................... 47 8.2.5. Blueberry Blossom ............................................................................................. 47 8.2.6. Buckwheat .......................................................................................................... 47 8.2.7. Clover ................................................................................................................. 48 8.2.8. Cotton Blossom.................................................................................................. 48 8.2.9. Fireweed ............................................................................................................. 48 8.2.10. Guajillo............................................................................................................... 49 8.2.11. Heather ............................................................................................................... 49 8.2.12. Mesquite ............................................................................................................. 49 8.2.13. Mint Blossom..................................................................................................... 50 8.2.14. Orange Blossom................................................................................................. 50 8.2.15. Palmetto.............................................................................................................. 51 8.2.16. Raspberry Blossom............................................................................................. 51 8.2.17. Sage Blossom (White Sage) ............................................................................... 51 8.2.18. Sourwood............................................................................................................ 52 8.2.19. Star Thistle.......................................................................................................... 52 8.2.20. Tupelo................................................................................................................. 52 8.2.21. Wildflower.......................................................................................................... 53 9. Fruit....................................................................................................................................... 54 9.1. Fruit in Mead................................................................................................................. 54 9.1.1. Apple .................................................................................................................. 54 9.1.2. Apricot................................................................................................................ 55 9.1.3. Banana ................................................................................................................ 55 9.1.4. Black Currant.....................................................................................................