HONEY CONTEST RULES
These Rules were first prepared in 2005 and were based on the Tara Beekeepers Association Honey Contest Rules that they generously shared with us. Evelyn Williams, our Certified Welsh Honey Judge, and Gerard McCann have edited the Rules and made numerous suggestions and corrections. And Linda Tillman triggered this reworking of the Rules when she pointed out several errors in definitions.
Etiquette at Honey Contests
Once honey or other items have been accepted into the competition by the Steward, it is the responsibility of Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association to protect the entries from tampering. After submitting entries to the Steward, competitors may not enter the area where the entries have been placed. All entries must be blocked off from contact by anyone except the Steward.
When viewing entries in a honey contest, either before, during, or after the competition, do no touch any item.
General Rules
All entries must be produced by the contestant.
All entries of honey, wax, and mead must be from bees belonging to paid members of the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association or members of their families, and from the current year’s production.
Each member may make one entry only in each class.
The classes are:
Extracted Honey, All Forms
Extracted honey in one pound jars
Extracted honey is judged in three classes: light, medium, and dark. Members of Metro Atlanta Beekeepers who are participating in the contest may submit one entry in each of these three categories.
An entry of extracted honey is three (3) one pound jars. These jars must be either one pound classic jars that have a 48mm diameter mouth, or one pound Queenline jars that have a 58mm diameter mouth. The jars may have either metal or plastic lids. Do not use tamper proof seals. There must not be any type of label on the jars.
When judging extracted honey, the judges consider the following characteristics of each entry:
Cleanliness of the jar and lid
Correct fill level (See photograph below)
Uniformity of the the three jars that comprise the entry
Cleanliness and clarity of the honey
Moisture content
Aroma and flavor
This is a photograph of a one pound classic honey jar that has a 48mm diameter mouth. The purpose of the picture, however, is to show clearly the correct fill level. It also shows some things that are more difficult to see: The inside rim of the mouth of the jar above the honey has bits of 'stuff' adhering to it that should be wiped off before placing into the competition. The outside of the jar also shows numerous smears that must be removed. This jar is not competition ready!
Keep in mind that a wonderful honey can be eliminated if the technical details haven't been tended to. Information about preparing entries follows this section about the Rules.
Black jar
Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association will provide the black jars. An entry is one jar. The honey will be transferred into the jar by the exhibitor.
Black jar honey is judged on flavor only.
Chunk honey
An entry of chunk honey is three (3) jars. Chunk honey must be displayed in three glass, straight sided, wide mouth, pint jars, such as Ball or Kerr canning jars.
The criteria cited above for judging extracted honey apply to judging chunk honey.
The chunk of comb must be in one piece.
The cuts should be clean and uniform.
The chunk of comb should fill fifty percent of the volume of the jar, the other fifty percent being honey.
Cut comb
An entry of cut comb honey is three boxes. These must be boxes made for displaying cut comb and may be either square or round, and must be transparent on all sides.
Section comb honey
An entry of section comb honey is three boxes. Ross rounds and square section entries must be displayed in the frames. Square sections must be in a cellophane bag and placed inside a window carton made for the display of section comb honey. Round sections must be in clear plastic boxes made for the display of section comb honey.
Section comb honey entries are not judged for flavor. Some of the judging criteria are uniformity of appearance and color, cleanliness, absence of uncapped cells, freedom from granulation and pollen, uniform weight of each section, and total weight of the entire entry.
Beeswax
Wax is judged based on cleanliness, uniformity of appearance and shape, color, aroma, and absence of defects such as cracks and shrinkage.
An entry of beeswax may be any one of the following:
Wax block
The block must be at least one inch thick but not more than two inches thick. The block must weigh a minimum of two pounds.
Three molded or dipped tapers
Minimum length is eight inches.
One of the candles in each entry will be burned.
Molded tapers must have flat finished bases. The wicks must be trimmed to one-half inch in length.
Dipped tapers should have the last drip left on. The wicks must be left joined.
One molded form
The form must have a flat finished base.
Mead
Mead is judged based on the cleanliness of the bottle and the cork, color, clarity, lack of sediment, aroma, body, and flavor.
An entry of mead is one clear glass 750ml bottle. A 3”x5” card on which any added fruit is listed must accompany each bottle.
Corks may be either cork or plastic
Mead should be filled to within one-half inch of the bottom of the cork.
Photographs
Art work
Crafts
Awards
Ribbons will be given in all classes as follows, even if there is only one entry in the class. that entry, however, must be deemed worthy of the award by the judge or judges:
First Place: Blue
Second Place: Red
Third Place: White
Best in Show: Purple
Cash prizes will be awarded to Best in Show, and First and Second place winners in each class provided that the class has at least two entries.
The decisions of the judge or judges are final.
May 2008