> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://styles.bjcp.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://styles.bjcp.org/bjcp-2015-mead/introduction-to-mead-guidelines-categories-m1-m4.md).

# INTRODUCTION TO MEAD GUIDELINES (CATEGORIES M1-M4)

*The following discussion applies to all the mead styles, except where explicitly superseded in the sub-category guidelines. This introduction identifies common characteristics and descriptions for all types of mead, and should be used as a reference whenever entering or judging mead.*