Knight Stinger Mead

10/06/2026

Sunday was a long day of study of Polish meads and the MJP (Mead Judging Programme) at Manic Meadery in Crown Point, IN presented by Kris and Matej.

We finished the day by taking the MJP Level 2 written and tasting exams to become MJP International Mead Judges.

Overall, the weekend was very interesting and educational and I made several new friends and got to spend quality time with some of my many out of state friends.

Now, we wait for the grading....

10/04/2026

I'm spending the weekend studying Mead and especially, Polish Mead in Crown Point, Indiana. We've spent most of our time in the study room at Manic Meadery.

Yesterday began with a retaking of the BJCP Mead Exam. My goal was to take my endorsement past 80+ points so I can proctor exams. I just need 2 points better.

We followed the exam with a delicious lunch and b**rs at Off Square Brewing.

Then, we toured the Manic Meadery mead and b**r brewing facilities at Gnosis Brewing. Manic and Gnosis share the space.

We finished the evening with tastings accompanying 3 hours+ of lectures on Mead faults, different characteristics of honey and BJCP interpretation of Polish meads.

The end of the night was a mead share.

Today, we start early on a full day of Polish mead study from two Polish gents who flew in from overseas. The day will culminate in us taking a Polish mead exam to become International MJP Polish Mead judges.

03/18/2026

I have a few new meads going into 2026 and the first, "Drunken Koala" Eucalyptus blossom honey Semi-Sweet Traditional, has won Bronze in Valhalla: The Meading of Life mead only competition in Pennsylvania.

https://brewdrinkrepeat.com/valhalla/index.php

08/31/2025

Haven't made anything new in awhile and changed that today.

Knocked out 3 new meads today... Peach Melomel (tropical Wildflower honey), Eucalyptus Blossom Traditional and Star Thistle Traditional.

I also guided my son and daughter-in-law in making a peach and plum Melomel (Illinois Light Wildflower honey). They made one mead together with me years ago and it was good for a 3rd BoS.

04/21/2025

Forgot to note that my Cyser won 3rd place in the Fruit Mead Category in the Chicago Region and is advancing to the Finals of the National Homebrew Competition where it will compete against all 1st, 2nd and 3rd place regional winners across the country in that category.

https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/national-homebrew-competition/winners/

02/27/2025

Beautiful New 2024 Cyser!

"It's Like Saturday On A Tuesday Night"

(Not showing all the water spots on the glass. LOL)

11/26/2024

Surprise!

I found out today that I took 2nd place for the Dry Meads category in the 2024 Stormheron Mead Competition.

Congratulations to Bill Boyer of B**r And Fire Brewery for taking 1st and 3rd in the category. It's like a Bill Boyer hug.

This stream is created with

11/17/2024

Giving Buddha's Hand Citron a try in a mead experiment. First attempt and we'll adjust from there if needed.

All of Buddha's Hand is edible and it's white pith is less bitter than a lemon. It has no juice and no flesh.

The pith tastes mild, almost cucumber-like with lemony citrus character.