It’s a meeting of mead minds up in here! 2020 National Meadmaker of the Year Josh Holbrook interviews the two-time AHA Meadmaker of the Year (2007 & 2016) Steve Fletty. They discuss a LOT of mead making and mead judging topics including: what a good scoresheet looks like, how to be more than a “flaw detective” when judging, how to approach meads that have a long list of ingredients, why a judge should have experience with other alcoholic beverages for a broader perspective, how to appreciate dry meads, and what to look for when judging pyments. They taste together Hawaiian Lehua Blossom, a dry sparkling mead from Heidrun Meadery, which sounds phenomenal.
Check out our other episodes featuring Steve Fletty including a two-part Mead Masters interview, and our collaboration projects for Smoked Mead and Lilac Mead. You’ll find them in our Mead & Meadmaking YouTube playlist.
Here is a simple form for all BJCP members interested in continuing their edification and playing along at home with these educational seminars. You will get one non-judging point for each seminar you complete. Watch the vid, write some notes, do your tasting, write your tasting notes and boom. Points.
Better Judge a Mead Upcoming Episode Schedule + Taste Along Mead Recommendation
8/20/21 – Tom Repas
Taste Along Mead – Zen Bee: Mara Ume
8/27/21 – Carvin Wilson
Taste Along Mead – Lost Cause: Nine Deaths
9/3/21 – Kristen England
Taste Along Mead – Chaucer’s Mead
Playlist: Chop & Brew Mead Episodes
** Support Chop & Brew via Patreon **