• No products in the cart.
  • No products in the cart.
Image Alt

Mead Judging – 2023 Nat’l Honey Show @ Sydney Royal Easter Show

Post Mead Judging Photo OP - Steve Kirby, Lavender Kirby & D Barlin

Mead Judging – 2023 Nat’l Honey Show @ Sydney Royal Easter Show

Did you know that Australia has eleven internationally accredited judges of Mead? But wait – did you know that two of those judges are Stone Dog Meadery’s own Steve Kirby and Lavender Kirby? Awesome, innit?

Steve and Lavender have been judging the Mead entries of the National Honey show, (which is held within the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s Sydney Royal Easter Show since 2018…we think…feels longer but…2018 to be safe LOL

The judging for this year was held April 3rd 2023, and we were happy to again have the assistance of D. Barlin, a good mate and also another of the Aussie Eleven! “Barls” has an amazing palate, and not just for mead, his expertise includes beer and wine. Plus, he’s a top bloke!

2023 saw fewer entries this year than previous years, but, as Varroa Mite has managed to land here, a large number of Beekeepers and Beekeeping mead makers have been completely wiped out of their production and livelihood…more on this elsewhere …but please remember to support your local beekeepers however you can.

Steve and Lavender decided to open Stone Dog Meadery after winning Gold at the Australian Amateur Brewing Competition AABC in 2014, judged and awarded at ANHC . Once we decided to “Go Pro”, we felt that we should stop entering amateur/beginner competitions, in order to allow others to try their luck on a more even playing field and allow us to focus on developing Australia’s interest in Mead – more as it happens!

National Honey Show, Royal Agricultural Show, Sydney Royal Easter Show 2023 Mead Entries
National Honey Show, Royal Agricultural Show, Sydney Royal Easter Show 2023 Mead Entries
Judging Criteria and Classes sheet Mead Entries for the National Royal Agricultural Society's Sydney Royal Easter Show 2023
Classes and Judging Criteria sheet Mead Entries for the National Royal Agricultural Society’s Sydney Royal Easter Show 2023

Comments

  • 11 March 2024
    Alex Harsas
    Reply

    Good afternoon Stone Dog Meadery team,
    I just wanted to reach out in hope that you can shed some light into how Mead is judged at the Easter Show, my father and I have submitted our traditional Honey mead into class 32 however we have only started brewing in the last few months and are unsure of what we should be looking for in a good mead.

    Any insight into what a good mead should be would be much appreciated as the judging criteria appears very vague and regardless of the result this year we hope to improve for next year.
    Thanks
    Alex

Post a Comment