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The 3rd Annual International Home Mead Makers Competition (IHMMC) was a resounding success, with 188 entries in 2008. We had an amazing array of meads ranging from dry traditionals to a fantastic smoked pepper metheglin, and everything in between.

All 188 meads were presented to the judging panels on Saturday. Many of the judges that also judged in the commercial competition were there, including Ken Schramm (The Compleat Meadmaker), Curt Stock (Meadmaker of the Year two years running), Julia Herz (Honeywine.com), Vicky Rowe (Gotmead.com), Pete Bakulic (Chairman, IHMMC or the Mead Buddha), Michael Fairbrother (Meadmaker of the Year), Andre Abi Raad (Winemaker, Intermiel, Inc.), John & Chris Munro (Munro Meadery), Michael Kiker (Celestial Meads), Lawrence Livingston (Ring of Fire Meadery), Mark Beran (Medovina Meadery), Gretchen & Harrison Bliss (Spruce Mountain Meadery), Trevor Shaben (Thunderhead Brewing), Suzanne Trudell (Les Ruchers Promiel inc.), Xavier Rennote (Belgium - new meadery opening soon), Radoslav Opalek and his partners Pavol and Edouard (Včelco s.r.o.) and others to numerous to mention. We are exceedingly gratified to have such a varied and experienced judging pool. We know they had a great time judging the home meads.

This years' entries were of even higher quality than we are used to seeing (and we get some pretty darn great meads in this competition!!!). It was difficult to decide who to send forward to the medal round, and in many cases, the scores were very close. Congratulations to all of you for your fine meads, and thanks for entering the IHMMC, we're tickled to have the opportunity to judge them.

See you next year!!!