2nd Annual Muse Cup, 2009

Northern Colorado'sLiquid Poets home brew club invites you to enter Colorado's newest AHA/BJCP sanctioned mead-only competition.

Mead entries will be evaluated by experienced judges based on the 2004 BJCP Guidelines. Medals will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category The winner of Best of Show will receive a special commemorative belt buckle. Entries from BJCP categories 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 will be accepted. There are two non-BJCP categories in this competition - historical and best varietal honey. Medals will be awarded for the historical and best varietal honey categories but entries will not be in Best of Show contention. For the historical category, additional documentation regarding the recipe and process must be attached to your entry. For the best varietal honey, honey flavor/type must be noted in comments section. For the best varietal honey category, meads may be entered separately in the appropriate category for medal consideration (would be two separate entries).

Each mead will be judged according to the 2004 BJCP guidelines. Meads of similar styles may be grouped together to allow for manageable judging sessions and reasonable competition. The top mead in each category will be judged in a final round to determine the Best of Show Mead. All meads will be judged at room temperature unless specifically requested otherwise.

Bottles
In an effort to be sensitive to the fact that mead is an expensive libation, an entry shall consist of one (1) bottle, 10 - 22 ounce, either corked or capped. Bottles must be clean of all paper, printed or enameled labels, label adhesive, misc. debris, or any other distinguishing features. Clear glass, and oversized (22 oz. or champagne) bottles are also acceptable. Printed crown caps are acceptable but must be blacked out completely with black marker to assure anonymity. Bottles will not be returned to entrants. Every effort will be made to re-cap the bottle with a tasting cork after the first round judging. If an entrant is concerned about the sparkling nature of a mead being lost, please send two bottles.

Online Registration
Each entry must have a single entry form completed containing brewer and complete recipe information. Each bottle shall have a bottle identification form (print from online registration) attached with a rubber band to facilitate collection of forms; glue and/or tape are unacceptable. Please complete online forms and pay for entries either using PayPal or enclosing a check made out to Liquid Poets with your entry. Enter your mead according to the 2004 BJCP classifications; please see the BJCP website for a copy of these classifications. Please fill out the entry forms completely. Be meticulous about noting any special ingredients that must be specified per the BJCP Style Guidelines. Failure to note such ingredients may impact the judges' scoring of your entry.

Volunteers
Anyone interested in judging should contact the judge coordinator, Sheron Rowland (foxryde@foxryde.com).
Anyone interested in being a steward should contact the head steward, Kyle Byerly (kc0dhb@gmail.com).

Limitations
This competition is open to amateur mead-makers age 21 or older. Mead-makers are not limited to amount of entries per BJCP subcategory.

Entry Fees
An entry fee of $6 per entry will be collected on all entries. Either attach entry fee to the Entry and Recipe form or use the PayPal system online. Please make checks payable to Liquid Poets.

More Rules
All entries become property of the Liquid Poets. Infractions of these rules may disqualify any entry. Disqualified meads may still be judged but will not be eligible for awards. The judges may decide to not award any or all places in any category. The decision of the judges is final.

Where to Enter
Entries will be accepted from August 28th through close of business September 5th. Below is a list of shipping and drop off points.

Shipping Location:
Liquid Poets Muse Cup
c/o Hops & Berries
125 Remington Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 493-2484
Email:
www.hopsandberries.com

Drop Off Locations:
Hops & Berries
125 Remington Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 493-2484
www.hopsandberries.com

Hop to It!
2900 Valmont Rd. #D2
Boulder, CO
(303) 444-8888
www.stompthemgrapes.com

Beer at Home
1325 W. 121st Ave
Westminster, CO 80234
(720) 872-9463
www.beerathome.com

Judging
Judging will be on Sunday September 13, 2009. Judging sessions will be held at a location to be announced beginning at 9:00am. You do not need to be a registered BJCP judge to participate. If you have any questions about judging, please contact the judge coordinator. Lunch will be provided for judges and stewards.