Introducing the Dirigo Mead Cup — Maine’s First BJCP-Sanctioned Mead-Only Competition (Judging Oct 17, 2026)
Hi all — I’m Christy Hemenway. I’m the owner of Run Amok Mead and I’m excited to introduce the Dirigo Mead Cup, launching this fall in Wiscasset, Maine.
Dirigo is Latin for “I lead” — Maine’s state motto — and that’s the spirit behind this competition. This isn’t about Maine ingredients or local flavor; it’s about raising the bar for meadmaker education everywhere. The competition is BJCP-sanctioned and our judges are asked to give real, actionable feedback — the kind that actually makes your next batch better, not just a score sheet.
We’re also building toward a registered Maine Apprenticeship Program here at Run Amok Mead - to support homebrewers who want to take the leap into commercial meadmaking. The competition is step one in a longer-term effort to grow serious meadmaking craft, judge by judge and batch by batch.
Key details:
- Open to homebrewers NATIONWIDE — not just Maine
- BJCP-sanctioned (Competition ID 212078), judged to the 2015 Mead Guidelines (M1–M4)
- Judging: Saturday, October 17, 2026 — Wiscasset, Maine
- Account/judge registration opens July 18, 2026
- Entries open July 31, 2026 — $15/entry, 3 bottles required, max 5 entries per entrant
- Full details and registration: Dirigo Mead Cup - Brew Competition Online Entry & Management
Would love to see entries from across the country! Reach out via the BCOE&M contact form!
Slainte!