Thank you for your interest in the Valhalla: The Mead-ing Of Life organized by Andrew and Sarah Pattisall, 31 Creek Dr Delta, PA 17314.

You only need to register your information once and can return to this site to enter more brews or edit the brews you've entered. You can even pay your entry fees online if you wish.

Thanks and Good Luck To All Who Entered the Valhalla: The Mead-ing Of Life!

There are 94 registered entries and 53 registered participants, judges, and stewards.

As of 2:22 AM, EST, there are 84 received and processed entries (this number will update as entries are picked up from drop-off locations and organized for judging).

Rules

Eligibility & Sanctioning

This competition is an AHA- and BJCP-sanctioned event and is open to any amateur meadmaker age 21 or older.

All entries must be handcrafted, made with ingredients available to the general public, and produced using private equipment by hobbyist meadmakers. The use of commercial facilities, Brew-On-Premises operations, or commercial supplies is not permitted.

Entry Submission & Deadlines

• Shipping Deadline: February 27th. Mailed entries must be received at the mailing location by this deadline. Please allow sufficient time for shipping.
• Drop-off Deadline: February 28th. Drop-off entries will be picked up from drop-off locations the day after the drop-off deadline.

The competition organizers are not responsible for:

• Miscategorized entries
• Mailed entries not received by the entry deadline
• Entries that arrive damaged

Bottles will not be returned to entrants.

Entry Limits & Category Rules

Each entrant may submit up to EIGHT (8) entries total.

Entrants are not limited to one entry per category (Traditional, Fruit, Spiced, or Specialty) or subcategory (e.g., Dry Traditional, Semi-Sweet Traditional, Sweet Traditional), provided entries within the same subcategory are clearly unique.

• Example: A meadmaker may enter two Sweet Traditional meads—one with clear Orange Blossom character and one with clear Star Thistle character.
• Not allowed: Entering the same mead multiple times with only differences in carbonation or sweetness within the same substyle. These entries are not considered clearly unique.

Judging Standards & Process

The primary goal of the competition is qualified, high-quality judging. All entries will be evaluated using the 2015 BJCP Mead Style Guidelines.

Entries will be scored and ranked within their category based on consensus scoring. Each judging flight will include at least one BJCP judge.

Category Management

The competition committee reserves the right to combine styles or subcategories as needed based on entry volume to ensure efficient judging.

Every effort will be made to combine similar styles. All entries in combined categories will be judged according to the style in which they were originally entered.

Best of Show

Best of Show will be determined by a Best of Show panel through a second round of judging among the top category winners.

Scoresheets & Awards

Scoresheets will be made available online only; no paper copies will be mailed.

Medals will be awarded for:

• First, Second, and Third Place in each category
• Best of Show
• Two Best of Show runners-up

2026 Judging Format & Schedule

All judging for this competition will take place in person and will be conducted according to established BJCP standards to ensure consistent, high-quality evaluations.

Judging sessions will be held on March 6–7 and March 13–14. The award ceremony will take place once all judging has concluded on March 14th. 

Judging Sessions and Dates

Saturday AM Judging Session
Saturday, March 7, 2026 9:00 AM, EST

Saturday PM Judging Session
Saturday, March 7, 2026 1:00 PM, EST

Saturday AM Judging Session
Saturday, March 14, 2026 9:00 AM, EDT

Saturday PM Judging Session
Saturday, March 14, 2026 1:00 PM, EDT

Competition Officials

You can send an email to any of the following individuals via Contact.

• Andrew Brown — Co-Organizer
• Sarah Pattisall — Co-Organizer

Sponsors

Andrew and Sarah Pattisall is proud to have the following sponsors for the Valhalla: The Mead-ing Of Life.

The Cabin At Muddy Creek

31 Creek Rd Delta, PA 17314

The Cabin at Muddy Creek is a restored historic stone cabin and event space set on scenic acreage along Muddy Creek in Delta, PA. We’re grateful for their generous support as our Venue Sponsor, providing the location for the 2026 Valhalla: The Mead-ing of Life judging sessions and awards ceremony.