The Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) is proud to announce the release of the 2026 Mead Guidelines, representing the most comprehensive update to BJCP mead evaluation standards in a decade.
Developed through extensive collaboration with experienced mead judges, mead makers, competition organizers, and industry experts, the 2026 Mead Guidelines provide enhanced clarity, consistency, and educational value for both competitions and home mead production.
What’s New in the 2026 Mead Guidelines?
The updated guidelines have been designed to better reflect the evolving world of mead while maintaining the BJCP’s commitment to objective sensory evaluation. Key improvements include:
- Refined style descriptions and judging parameters
- Enhanced guidance on balance, fermentation character, and ingredient expression
- Improved distinctions between traditional, fruit, spice, and specialty meads
- Updated examples and references to support judge education
- Streamlined organization for easier use during competitions and training
These revisions will help judges evaluate meads more consistently while providing entrants with clearer expectations and more meaningful feedback.
Effective Date
The 2026 Mead Guidelines become effective immediately upon publication and are available for use in BJCP-sanctioned competitions. Competition organizers should review the updated document and determine appropriate implementation timelines for events already in progress.