Mead - Metheglin

BJCP 25-F

AROMA

The spices/herbs may be expressed in the aroma. Honey characters should appear in the aroma but will vary in intensity depending on the spices/herbs used. Metheglins containing more than one spice should have a good balance among the different spices/herbs, though some spices/herbs will tend to dominate the aroma profile.

APPEARANCE

Clarity may be good to brilliant. Carbonated examples will show active evidence of dissolved gas but no head is expected. Color may range from pale straw to deep amber; the color usually won't be affected by the spices or herbs.

FLAVOR

The spices/herbs should be expressed in the flavor but the honey character is still the backbone of the mead and should appear in the flavor but will vary in intensity depending on the spices/herbs used. The spices/herbs should be expressed in the flavor as a distinctive enhancement to the honey flavor, whether harmoniously or by contrast, and should achieve a pleasant balance when a blend of spices/herbs is used. Metheglins containing more than one spice should have a good balance among the different spices/herbs, though some spices/herbs will tend to dominate the flavor profile.

MOUTH FEEL

Smooth texture. Most will be wine-like, with the warming presence of alcohol and sense of medium body. Sensations of a cloying or astringent character should be avoided; however, some spices or herbs may affect mouthfeel particularly by adding astringency.

COMMENTS

Often, a blend of spices may give a character greater than the sum of its parts. The better examples of this style use spices/herbs subtly and when more than one are used, they are carefully selected so that they blend harmoniously. Entrants must specify whether the entry is still or sparkling mead. Entrants must also specify whether the mead is dry, semi-sweet or sweet.

VITAL

Effective OG: 1.070-1.120+ IBUs: N/A FG: 0.995-1.025 SRM: 1-16 ABV: 7.5-15+%