2002 was an important year in the ancient lineage of Mead making. The first annual International Mead Competition was held in Chicago on Nov 8-9. Dozens of quality meads from dry to sweet, still to sparkling were sampled by judges and an eager public in an event run by the Institutes for Brewing Studies. This was a significant first step for an event which hopes to mirror the Great American Beer Fest and the Real Ale Fest in educating and exposing the public to quality mead.

I'm pleased to announce that Smokehouse's 'Honeysuckle Metheglin' won 3rd place in the 'Metheglins and other Meads' catagory--hopefully the first of many honors bestowed upon Smokehouse's meads.

Thanks again for your patronage of this unique Meadery and of the emerging industry (check out honeywine.com for info on other regional mead producers). Hope to see more of you in Chicago next year where the 'mead makers lounge' was a virtual Valhalla.

Wassail and Happy Holidays, John