Homebrew Con isn’t just for beer lovers. With a multitude of educational sessions in the Alternative Fermentation track focusing specifically on meadmaking, Homebrew Con 2019 (June 27–29) will be the most mead-centric AHA conference ever held.
The mead seminars kick off with speakers Brian Wolf and John Wilson presenting Better Bochet. Bochet is a style of mead based around flavor characteristics derived from “burning” honey during the meadmaking process.
Sergio Moutela, president of the American Mead Makers Association and founder of Melovina Meadery, will then present on Brewing Beer-Style Meads. Moutela will take attendees on an adventure in creating meads based on popular beer styles, including tips on post-fermentation handling to best serve these crossover styles.
New England–based mead expert and historian Laura Angotti will present on Mead from 70 to 1750 CE. Angotti, creator of the Mystery of Mead blog, will educate her audience on the breadth of styles, ingredients, and techniques used in early meadmaking and discuss how things have changed over time.
Michael Fairbrother, founder of New Hampshire’s Moonlight Meadery (a short drive or train ride from Providence!), will share a presentation on Mastering Mead Making. Attendees will be let in on Moonlight Meadery’s secrets for making world-class mead. You can tune into Michael Fairbrother’s past Homebrew Con seminars on HomebrewersAssociation.org.
Eric Lowe of Meridian Hive Meadery in Texas will show folks the ins and outs of Yeast Harvesting, Banking, and Quality Control. Attendees will leave this presentation understanding how to brew using a true “house yeast” strain, how to bank rare and seasonal strains to use at any time, and how to improve fermentation performance.
Jared Spidel will wrap up the honey-based talks with his session Practical Beekeeping for the Homebrewer and Meadmaker. Spidel will walk through equipment, best practices, and lessons he has learned as a beekeeper. After all, you can’t make mead without honey!
But the buzz surrounding this year’s Homebrew Con’s mead focus doesn’t stop there!
After the Mead Magic: Tips from Master Mead Makers panel—an opportunity to get meadmaking advice from past National Homebrew Competition Mead Maker of the Year award recipients, including a Q&A session—the American Mead Makers Association (AMMA) will host an AMMA Members Meet & Greet on Saturday, June 27 in Ballroom A from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“This year’s seminars cover some very interesting topics, and the presenters are people with a wealth knowledge about mead. I’m totally looking forward to being in Providence and talking to my fellow mead geeks,” shared AMMA and AHA member Annie Zipser.
Keep an eye out for the AMMA booth during Homebrew Con’s famous Club Night. The AMMA will be pouring samples from many of their home meadmaker members. You will also find an array of mead, honey-based beers, and ciders poured by various homebrew clubs!
Whether you’re a veteran meadmaker or you’re gearing up for your first batch, Homebrew Con has got you covered with expert advice, plenty of opportunities to talk shop with fellow meadmakers, and a generous selection of homemade meads to sample!
Early bird ticket prices increase May 2, 2019, so hurry up, honey!