Valkyries Horn Home Mead Competition
Awards
Judges
John Allison, Nicholas Aschbrenner, Dave Bance, Kari Beauclair, Billy Beltz, Peter Bevins, Al Boyce, Bill Boyer, Adam Bystrom, Matthew Chrispen, Sandy Cockerham, Bradley Cole, Aric Daul, Scott Dennis, Timothy Elder, James Ellingson, Kristen England, Scott Estlund, Mark Fitzsimmons, Steve Fletty, Arthur Franke, Tanner Geiss, Joe Gerteis, Hanarose Gironda, Jon Hamilton, Daniel Holbrook, Jon Hunter, Mitch Johnson, Paul Johnson, Jim Johnston, Amanda Kutzke, Tony Kutzke, Gera Exire La Tour, John Longballa, Josh Mahoney, Kevin Meintsma, Gail Milburn, Joseph Moore, Amy Olsen, Jeremy Olsen, Michael Olson, Anthony Qualls, Tom Repas, Vicky Rowe, Susan Ruud, Scot Schaar, Jeff Shouse, Colette Simpson, Mark Simpson, Nathan Steigman, Curtis Stock, Jacob Thill, Jake Tweedy, Matt Weide, Conrad Wheeler, Edward Zamora, Annie Zipser
By the Numbers
375 Entries
86 Entrants
57 Judges
72 Placing Entries
Table 1: Dry Trads
10 entries
Judges: Sandy Cockerham (Head Judge), Mitch Johnson, Tom Repas, Jake Tweedy
1st
Scott Estlund
The BrĂ¼ Club
Touch Of Summer (M1A: Dry Mead)
2nd
Eric Martin
Kansas City Bier Meisters
Sage (M1A: Dry Mead)
3rd
Nelson Crowle
Indian Peaks Alers
Tupelo (M1A: Dry Mead)
Table 2: Semi Sweet Trads
30 entries
Judges: Nicholas Aschbrenner, Dave Bance, Peter Bevins, Al Boyce (Head Judge), Bill Boyer, Joseph Moore, Amy Olsen, Vicky Rowe, Susan Ruud, Colette Simpson, Conrad Wheeler
1st
Daniel Kukuk
Motor City Mashers
Emberwake (M1B: Semi-Sweet Mead)
2nd
Steve Fletty
Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Valencia (M1B: Semi-Sweet Mead)
3rd
Bradley Cole
Nordeast Brewers Alliance
Black Locust Trad (M1B: Semi-Sweet Mead)
Table 3: Sweet Trads
29 entries
Judges: Dave Bance, Adam Bystrom, Sandy Cockerham (Head Judge), Mitch Johnson, Kevin Meintsma, Joseph Moore, Jeremy Olsen, Jeff Shouse, Colette Simpson, Edward Zamora, Annie Zipser
1st
Amy Olsen
Michigan Mead Coalition
Sunflowers (M1C: Sweet Mead)
2nd
Arthur Franke
Bergen County Brew Crew
Narobić Bigosu (M1C: Sweet Mead)
3rd
Michael Depozsgay
Mango Tango (M1C: Sweet Mead)
Table 4: Cyser - Dry & Semi Sweet
8 entries
Judges: James Ellingson, Jon Hunter (Head Judge), Kevin Meintsma, Conrad Wheeler
1st
George Turner
Kuhnhenn Guild of Brewers...
Uncle Gibbys Elixir (M2a2: SEMI-SWEET CYSER)
2nd
Andy Cox
Underground Brewers of Connecticut
Cyser One (M2a2: SEMI-SWEET CYSER)
3rd
Austin Brown
Brewers Anonymous
Mitten Malus Magic (M2a2: SEMI-SWEET CYSER)
Table 5: Cyser - Sweet
4 entries
Judges: Adam Bystrom (Head Judge), Mitch Johnson
1st
Sergio Quevedo
The Nexus Of Malus (M2a3: SWEET CYSER)
2nd
Kevin Meintsma
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Architect Of Destruction (#173 Cyser) (M2a3: SWEET CYSER)
3rd
Peter Knox
Ice Cyser (M2a3: SWEET CYSER)
Table 6: Pyment - Dry
10 entries
Judges: Al Boyce (Head Judge), Steve Fletty, Amanda Kutzke, Mark Simpson
1st
Arthur Franke
Bergen County Brew Crew
Cabernet Blackberry Blossom (M2b1: DRY Pyment)
2nd
Andrew Mudd
Dionysus' Delight (M2b1: DRY Pyment)
3rd
Jordan Willeford
The Worts
Berserker (M2b1: DRY Pyment)
Table 7: Pyment - Semi Sweet
10 entries
Judges: Billy Beltz, Aric Daul, Kristen England (Head Judge), Paul Johnson, Tom Repas
1st
Michael Harper
Musser's Muscadine (M2b2: SEMI-SWEET Pyment)
2nd
John Malaty & Richard Furlong
Hogtown Brewers
Beetlejuice: Back From The Dead - Live & Kicking (M2b2: SEMI-SWEET Pyment)
3rd
Sergio Quevedo
Pearls Of Mystery 1.2 (M2b2: SEMI-SWEET Pyment)
Table 8: Pyment - Sweet
8 entries
Judges: Steve Fletty (Head Judge), Tanner Geiss, Daniel Holbrook, Gera Exire La Tour, Curtis Stock
1st
Andrew Mudd
Tuscan Tempest (M2b3: SWEET Pyment)
2nd
Paul Johnson
River City Brewers [MN]
Tuscany Pyment (M2b3: SWEET Pyment)
3rd
Nathan Steigman
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Salus Tua Secundum Verbum Tuum Tacitum Est (M2b3: SWEET Pyment)
Table 9: Berry - Dry & Semi Sweet
19 entries
Judges: Nicholas Aschbrenner, Al Boyce (Head Judge), Bradley Cole, Jim Johnston, Tom Repas, Curtis Stock, Jake Tweedy, Conrad Wheeler
1st
Cody Lester
Central Arkansas Fermenters
Tart BlueBerry (M2c2: SEMI-SWEET Berry)
2nd
Ryan Vigne
Pittsburgh Mead Makers And...
Vigne Estate - 2025 (M2c2: SEMI-SWEET Berry)
3rd
David Towles
High Plains Drafters [TX]
Raspberries In Raspberry Blossom (M2c2: SEMI-SWEET Berry)
Table 10: Berry - Sweet
14 entries
Judges: Kari Beauclair, Al Boyce (Head Judge), Timothy Elder, Tanner Geiss, Jon Hamilton, Curtis Stock, Jake Tweedy
1st
Nicholas Laur
Little Rabbit (M2c3: SWEET Berry)
2nd
Lance Tenor
Black Thorn Blood (M2c3: SWEET Berry)
3rd
Nicholas Laur
Three Norns (M2c3: SWEET Berry)
Table 11: Stone Fruit - Semi Sweet
14 entries
Judges: Joe Gerteis (Head Judge), Jon Hamilton, Gail Milburn, Scot Schaar, Mark Simpson, Jake Tweedy
1st
Bill Boyer
North Georgia Malt Monkeys
Tim The Enchanter 2025 (M2d2: SEMI-SWEET Stone Fruit)
2nd
Jordan Willeford
The Worts
Peachy Keen B2 (M2d2: SEMI-SWEET Stone Fruit)
3rd
Ryan Vigne
Pittsburgh Mead Makers And...
Killed In A Dream (M2d2: SEMI-SWEET Stone Fruit)
Table 12: Stone Fruit - Sweet
6 entries
Judges: Bill Boyer (Head Judge), Anthony Qualls
1st
John Allison
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)
Knick Knack Wisniak (M2d3: SWEET Stone Fruit)
2nd
Kevin Meintsma
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Trumper Tantrums (#198 Chokecherry Rose') (M2d3: SWEET Stone Fruit)
3rd
Daniel Kukuk
Motor City Mashers
Leelanau Crimson (M2d3: SWEET Stone Fruit)
Table 13: Melomel - Dry
5 entries
Judges: Mark Fitzsimmons, Arthur Franke
1st
Kevin Meintsma
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Return To The Fruiture! (#132 Multiberry + Merlot) (M2e1: DRY Melomel)
2nd
Melissa Greenfield
QUAFF
Raspberry Nebbiolo (M2e1: DRY Melomel)
3rd
Kelly Phillips
Train Track Special (M2e1: DRY Melomel)
Table 14: Melomel - Semi Sweet
20 entries
Judges: Peter Bevins, Bradley Cole, Aric Daul, Scott Dennis, Tony Kutzke, John Longballa (Head Judge), Joseph Moore, Colette Simpson, Curtis Stock
1st
Steve Fletty
Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Guava (M2e2: SEMI-SWEET Melomel)
2nd
Brian Wright
Bob Ross Knows (M2e2: SEMI-SWEET Melomel)
3rd
Ryan Vigne
Pittsburgh Mead Makers And...
Island Glow (M2e2: SEMI-SWEET Melomel)
Table 15: Melomel - Sweet
19 entries
Judges: Dave Bance, Kari Beauclair, Matthew Chrispen (Head Judge), Sandy Cockerham, Joseph Moore, Susan Ruud, Colette Simpson, Annie Zipser
1st
Sergio Quevedo
Pearls Of Deceit (M2e3: SWEET Melomel)
2nd
Paul Johnson
River City Brewers [MN]
I Had The Pear Dream Again (M2e3: SWEET Melomel)
3rd
Brian Wright
Black Apple (M2e3: SWEET Melomel)
Table 16: Fruit & Spice - Dry & Semi Sweet
29 entries
Judges: John Allison (Head Judge), Nicholas Aschbrenner, Billy Beltz, Matthew Chrispen, Scott Estlund, Paul Johnson, Gera Exire La Tour, Vicky Rowe, Susan Ruud, Mark Simpson, Nathan Steigman, Conrad Wheeler
1st
Brian McCrickard
Seven City Brewers
Crimson Zest (M3a2: SEMI-SWEET Fruit and Spice)
2nd
Amy Olsen
Michigan Mead Coalition
Ispahan (M3a2: SEMI-SWEET Fruit and Spice)
3rd
Nicholas Laur
Scarlet (M3a2: SEMI-SWEET Fruit and Spice)
Table 17: Fruit & Spice - Sweet
38 entries
Judges: Bradley Cole, Scott Dennis (Head Judge), Scott Estlund, Mark Fitzsimmons, Arthur Franke, Jon Hunter, Mitch Johnson, Jim Johnston, Josh Mahoney, Jeremy Olsen, Jeff Shouse, Nathan Steigman, Jacob Thill, Annie Zipser
1st
Thomas Carter
Flames Of Breldur (M3a3: SWEET Fruit and Spice)
2nd
Michael Harper
Rosemary's Baby (M3a3: SWEET Fruit and Spice)
3rd
Michael Harper
Happy New Year! (M3a3: SWEET Fruit and Spice)
Table 18: S/H/V - Dry & Semi Sweet
13 entries
Judges: Peter Bevins, Scott Dennis, Jon Hamilton, Daniel Holbrook, Amy Olsen, Jeremy Olsen (Head Judge)
1st
Daniel Kukuk
Motor City Mashers
Kung Pao Kahuna (M3b2: SEMI-SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
2nd
Gian Sari
Garden State Homebrewers
"53 Minutes To Do So As I Please..." (M3b2: SEMI-SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
3rd
David Towles
High Plains Drafters [TX]
Hibiscus Ginger Spiced Mead (M3b2: SEMI-SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
Table 19: S/H/V - Sweet
18 entries
Judges: Bradley Cole, Arthur Franke, Joe Gerteis (Head Judge), Jon Hunter, Jim Johnston, Jacob Thill
1st
Kevin Meintsma
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Alternative Facts And Fake Nudes (#161 Basswood/Rhubarb/Cardamom) (M3b3: SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
2nd
Ben Aaron
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Qi'mamead (M3b3: SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
3rd
Graeme Lambert
Flagship (M3b3: SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
Table 20: Braggot
10 entries
Judges: Bradley Cole, Jon Hunter, Kevin Meintsma, Matt Weide (Head Judge)
1st
David Towles
High Plains Drafters [TX]
Sweet N' Sour (M4A: Braggot)
2nd
John Jacob
Hellgate Homebrewers
Base Camp IPA Braggot (M4A: Braggot)
3rd
Benji Howard
MASH Fort Wayne Homebrew Club
The Gilded Dual (M4A: Braggot)
Table 21: Historical
12 entries
Judges: Kristen England (Head Judge), Steve Fletty, Tom Repas, Scot Schaar
1st
Alex Bruch
Return Of The Mead (M4B: Historical Mead)
2nd
Kevin Meintsma & Josh Holbrook & Adam...
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Euphoria (#159 BA Multiflora Trojniak) (M4B: Historical Mead)
3rd
Ryan Vigne
Pittsburgh Mead Makers And...
Trój Jeży Boi (M4B: Historical Mead)
Table 22: Experimental - Dry & Semi Sweet
17 entries
Judges: Peter Bevins, Bill Boyer, Mark Fitzsimmons (Head Judge), Hanarose Gironda, Daniel Holbrook, Anthony Qualls
1st
Daniel Kukuk
Motor City Mashers
Odin's Orchard (M4c2: SEMI-SWEET Experimental)
2nd
Austin Brown
Brewers Anonymous
The Morrígan (M4c2: SEMI-SWEET Experimental)
3rd
Ryan Vigne
Pittsburgh Mead Makers And...
The Dogs Of War Have Come For Blood (M4c2: SEMI-SWEET Experimental)
Table 23: Experimental - Sweet
26 entries
Judges: John Allison, Kristen England (Head Judge), Scott Estlund, Steve Fletty, Gail Milburn, Vicky Rowe, Jeff Shouse, Mark Simpson, Jacob Thill, Edward Zamora
1st
Michael Rensing
Cider, Homebrew, And Mead...
Bunt Bees (M4c3: SWEET Experimental)
2nd
Jeremy Olsen
Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Barrel 2.0 (M4c3: SWEET Experimental)
3rd
Sergio Quevedo
Port Of Fragaria 2.0 (M4c3: SWEET Experimental)
Table 24: Pie Meads
6 entries
Judges: Paul Johnson (Head Judge), Kevin Meintsma
1st
Amy Olsen
Michigan Mead Coalition
German Chocolate Pie (MPMP1: Pie Mead)
2nd
Nicholas Phan
Key Lime Pie (MPMP1: Pie Mead)
3rd
Daniel Kukuk
Motor City Mashers
Pie Of The Abyss (MPMP1: Pie Mead)
Best of Show
Mead
1st
Kevin Meintsma
Minnesota Home Brewers Association
Alternative Facts And Fake Nudes (#161 Basswood/Rhubarb/Cardamom) (M3b3: SWEET Spice/Herb/Vegetable)
2nd
John Allison
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)
Knick Knack Wisniak (M2d3: SWEET Stone Fruit)
3rd
Steve Fletty
Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Guava (M2e2: SEMI-SWEET Melomel)
Thank You
Congratulations to All Medal Winners