Who can enter the Mead-Off?
Anyone 21 years or older may enter. All mead must be homemade by the entrant.
Do I need to be an experienced mead maker?
Not at all. The Mead-Off is open to all skill levels, including beginners.
How many meads can I enter?
You may enter up to three meads total, with only one entry per category.
What categories can I enter?
- Beginner Mead – traditional honey wine only
- Open Mead – any style or flavor
- Summer Solstice Mead – inspired by Nordic midsummer, any style
Entry Process
How much does it cost to enter?
The entry fee is $10 per mead.
This helps cover judging supplies, setup, and prizes.
How do I enter?
- Fill out the online entry form (opens March 1, 2026).
- Pay the $10 entry fee per mead.
- Drop off your bottles by the deadline.
When should I start brewing?
Most meads take 4–8 weeks or more to ferment and settle.
If you plan to enter, it’s best to start your batch no later then early spring.
Do I have to enter before I brew?
No. You can brew first and enter later.
The entry form simply registers your mead before the deadline.
Bottle Requirements
What bottles do I need to submit?
Each entry must include:
Bottles must be:
- Plain (no labels or identifying marks)
- Sealed securely with cap or cork
- Free of wax or decorative coverings that make opening difficult
Do not label your bottles.
Entries will be assigned a number at check-in to keep judging anonymous.
Will I get my bottles back after the contest?
No. Entries will not be returned.
Please do not submit bottles you wish to keep.
Can the public taste my mead?
No. Homebrew will not be served to the public.
Only the judges will taste the entries.
However, the People’s Choice award will be decided by festival guests based on:
- Appearance
- Aroma
- Creativity
- The story or concept behind the mead
When will the winners be announced?
Judging will take place during the festival on June 13–14, 2026.
Winners will be announced at the festival.
Awards & Prizes
Winners will be selected in each competition category, along with overall honors.
Category Winners
- Beginner Mead
- Open Mead
- Summer Solstice Mead
Best of Show
Awarded to the top mead across all categories.
Prizes will be announced soon.
Winners will receive awards and recognition at the festival.
Judges
Entries in the Mead-Off will be evaluated by a panel of experienced brewers and mead makers.
Matt – Mead Maker, J. Bird Wines
Founder and professional mead maker at J. Bird Wines, a Minnesota meadery producing a wide range of honey wines and hosting regular public events and releases.
Joe – Brewer, Paddlefish Brewing
An experienced brewer with a strong background in fermentation, flavor balance, and craft beverage production.
How People’s Choice Voting Works
Festival guests will not taste the homebrew entries.
Instead, the People’s Choice award is decided by what captures their imagination.
Each mead will be displayed with its name and a short write-up from the brewer. Guests will walk through the display, read about each mead, take in the presentation, and vote for their favorite.
Your entry’s story, creativity, and presentation all matter.
What guests will consider
- Appearance
- Aroma
- Creativity
- Theme or concept
- Your written description
Your mead’s display
Each entry will:
- Be labeled with its mead name
- Include a short write-up from the brewer
- Be displayed for guests to view during the festival
This means:
- A strong name helps
- A good story helps
- A clear theme helps
You’re not just entering a bottle—you’re presenting a mead worthy of the sagas.
Make it something people will remember.
Deadlines & Drop-Off
When is the entry deadline?
- Entry form deadline: June 5, 2026
- Bottle drop-off deadline: June 8 (early) or June 12 (festival drop-off)
When do I drop off my bottles?
You can choose one of two drop-off options.
Early Drop-Off (for local brewers)
Drop off your bottles by Monday, June 8, 2026 at one of the designated drop-off locations.
Locations and hours will be listed on the entry form.
Festival Drop-Off (for traveling brewers)
Drop off your bottles on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the festival grounds during the official Mead-Off check-in window.
Exact location and times will be announced closer to the event.
All entries must be received by the end of the Friday check-in period.
Late entries cannot be accepted.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Mead-Off, entry process, or drop-off details, please contact us at:
GreatNorthernVikingFestival@gmail.com
We’re happy to help and look forward to seeing what you bring to the contest.
